What must a tax invoice include in Australia?

For a sale under $1,000: that it is a tax invoice, your identity and ABN, the issue date, a description of the items with quantity and price, and the GST amount or a statement that the price includes GST.

Do I need to give a tax invoice for every sale?

No. If you are registered for GST you must give one within 28 days when a customer asks, unless the sale is $82.50 or less including GST.

Do I need an ABN on my invoice?

Yes, a tax invoice must show the seller's ABN.

What extra detail does a sale over $1,000 need?

The buyer's identity or ABN must also be shown on the tax invoice.

How to invoice as a new business in Australia

Written by Jack Harrington and Gabriel Pozo, the founders of Urban Media, Melbourne. Updated 20 October 2026.

Your first invoice is a small job that causes big worry. If you are registered for GST the ATO sets out what a tax invoice has to show, and getting it right saves you and your customer trouble later.

This is general information based on the ATO and business.gov.au, not tax advice. Check with the ATO or a registered tax agent for your own case.

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When you need a tax invoice

If you are registered for GST and a customer asks for a tax invoice, you must provide one within 28 days. The exception is a sale of $82.50 or less including GST, where a tax invoice is not required.

If you are not registered for GST you generally do not issue tax invoices, but you should still give the customer a clear invoice or receipt.

What a tax invoice must show (sales under $1,000)

The words tax invoice, so it is clear what the document is.
Your business identity and your ABN.
The date it was issued.
A brief description of what was sold, with quantity and price.
The GST amount, or a statement that the total price includes GST when GST is exactly one eleventh of it.

Sales of $1,000 or more

The invoice must also show the buyer's identity or ABN.

Make it easy to pay

Put the due date, the payment details and what happens if it is late on every invoice, and send it the day the work is done. Business.gov.au has a short guide to invoicing that covers these basics.

Number your invoices in order and keep copies, because you need the records for your BAS and your tax return.

Where Urban Launch fits

We publish our prices ex GST and quote the same way. If you want your website to make it easy to ask for a quote and book, that is part of what we build.

Official sources

This guide was checked against these official pages on 20 October 2026. Rules change, so confirm on the source before you rely on a detail.

More guides for new businesses

All of them are on the guides page.

Who is behind this

Jack Harrington and Gabriel Pozo, the founders of Urban Media, on a shoot in Melbourne

Urban Launch is built and run by Urban Media (ABN 28 169 446 902), a Melbourne studio founded by Jack Harrington and Gabriel Pozo. Urban Media makes video, design and websites for clients including Box Hill United, Brighton Grammar and Porsche Club Victoria.

If you want to talk to the people doing the work, call 0456 785 904. More about who we are, and how to check us, is on the About page.

Jack Harrington, co-founder of Urban Media, speaking to camera — Jack Harrington, co-founder of Urban Media, on how Urban Launch works. Captions are on screen.

Common questions

What must a tax invoice include in Australia?: For a sale under $1,000: that it is a tax invoice, your identity and ABN, the issue date, a description of the items with quantity and price, and the GST amount or a statement that the price includes GST.
Do I need to give a tax invoice for every sale?: No. If you are registered for GST you must give one within 28 days when a customer asks, unless the sale is $82.50 or less including GST.
Do I need an ABN on my invoice?: Yes, a tax invoice must show the seller's ABN.
What extra detail does a sale over $1,000 need?: The buyer's identity or ABN must also be shown on the tax invoice.

Start with a Launch Call

Live and generating enquiries within 45 days, or we keep working at no extra cost until you are. The Launch Call is where we check it is the right fit before we book anything in. For a real example, read the Airwize case study (12 conversions, meaning leads that became sales, in the first month of Google Ads from $70 of ad spend, our figures). You can also read how a launch package compares with hiring separately, or go to the packages and prices on the homepage. If you are setting up from scratch, see the business start-up package.

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More: Brand and website package, Melbourne, Startup package for a new business, Melbourne, Branding, website and photography package, Melbourne.