BAS and bookkeeping for nurses and carers working on an ABN, without the Sunday-night spreadsheet
A nurse or carer on an ABN gets paid by three or four sources at once: an agency that pays weekly, a private client who transfers fortnightly, a platform that pays after its fee, and maybe a facility that issues its own tax invoice on your behalf. Spending is AHPRA registration, indemnity insurance, scrubs and non-slip shoes, a CPD course, fuel between clients, and the police check and first aid renewals that arrive every couple of years.
FlowFi reads the bank statement, categorises every line, works out which purchases carry GST, and keeps a running total of your turnover so you know if the $75,000 threshold is coming. If you are registered, the BAS is prepared for you to review and copy into ATO Online.
General information only, not tax advice. Check your own situation with a registered tax agent or the ATO.
What FlowFi does for nurses and carers working on an ABN
Separates income by agency, client and platform
Weekly agency deposits, private client transfers and platform payouts are recognised as income and kept apart so you can reconcile each to its statement.
Flags registration, insurance and CPD
AHPRA renewals, professional indemnity, union fees and training providers are categorised as they appear, with GST checked on each.
Tracks travel between clients
Log the drive from one client to the next and FlowFi applies the ATO cents-per-kilometre rate, or keeps the records for a logbook.
Watches the GST threshold
Many nursing and care services are GST-free but still count toward the $75,000 threshold. FlowFi shows the rolling 12-month total on your dashboard.
Prepares the BAS if you are registered
Upload the quarter, review the pre-filled G1, 1A and 1B labels, and copy them into ATO Online.
How it works
Upload your bank statement
Export a CSV or PDF from your bank (CBA, Westpac, NAB, ANZ, Macquarie and most others) and drop it into FlowFi. No bank login, ever.
AI sorts every transaction
Income, expenses, equipment and transfers are categorised, GST is worked out on each line and likely deductions are flagged for you to confirm.
Review and lodge your BAS
Check the pre-filled labels, copy them into ATO Online in about five minutes, or export the pack for your accountant. FlowFi does not lodge for you.
Common deductions for nurses and carers working on an ABN
Expenses nurses and carers working on an ABN often claim. FlowFi flags these categories as they appear in your statement so you can confirm each one.
- AHPRA registration renewal and professional association or union fees
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Scrubs, nursing uniforms, non-slip shoes and PPE, and the cost of laundering them
- Continuing professional development, first aid and CPR renewals, and mandatory training
- Renewals of police checks and working-with-children or NDIS worker screening checks required to keep working
- Travel between clients or facilities during the day (not home to a regular workplace)
- Fob watch, stethoscope, blood pressure monitor and other equipment
- Phone, rostering apps and a share of your home office for admin
General information only, not tax advice. Check your own situation with a registered tax agent or the ATO.
Email me the quarterly BAS checklist
The checklist now, then a few short notes on getting your BAS done. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
Pricing
Flat monthly pricing. No percentage of your income, no lock-in, cancel any time. Every account starts with 14 days of Pro free, no card needed.
Pro
or $290 a year (two months free). 14-day free trial, no card.
- Unlimited transactions and uploads
- Unlimited invoices with automatic reminders
- Full AI categorisation and deduction flags
- BAS preparation with a copy-guide for ATO Online
- Receipt scanning, mileage and cash-flow forecast
- One-click accountant export
Business
or $590 a year (two months free). For anyone with a bookkeeper or partner in the books.
- Everything in Pro
- Unlimited bank accounts
- Up to 5 users with role-based access
- Advanced AI insights
- AI support and API access
Questions nurses and carers working on an ABN ask
Are my services GST-free?
Often, but not always. Nursing services provided by a registered nurse that are generally accepted as necessary for the patient’s treatment are GST-free, as are supports to NDIS participants under a plan and many government-funded home care services. Other care or companionship services can be taxable. GST-free income still counts toward the $75,000 registration threshold, so track the total and check the ATO’s health services guidance or ask your accountant.
The agency pays me through their payroll. Am I really on an ABN?
If tax is withheld and super is paid, you are an employee for that work and it goes in your return as wages, not business income. ABN income is what you invoice or what a platform or private client pays you gross. Many nurses have both in the same year; FlowFi only needs to see the ABN side.
Do I get super on ABN work?
Nobody pays it automatically. However, if a contract is mainly for your labour, the person paying you may still be required to pay super guarantee even though you have an ABN. Ask the agency or client, and consider making your own contributions, which are deductible with a notice of intent.
Can I claim the drive to my first client of the day?
Generally not if it is a regular place of work. Travel between clients during the day is deductible, and travel from home can be if your home is your base and you go to different clients each day. Log the between-client kilometres and ask your accountant about the first trip.
General information only, not tax advice. Check your own situation with a registered tax agent or the ATO.
Keep reading
FlowFi for related trades
Finish the books before the next shift
Upload one bank statement and see agency income, registration, insurance, travel and GST already categorised.
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