Tradie invoice template for electricians, plumbers, carpenters and painters
A tradie invoice usually has three kinds of line on it: a call-out or first-hour charge, labour after that by the hour or half hour, and materials you bought for the job and are passing on. Materials carry GST whether or not your supplier charged you GST, because you are the one selling them now. Bigger jobs are invoiced in stages: a deposit before you start, progress claims as each stage finishes, and a final invoice on completion.
Builders and property managers pay from the invoice, so the job address, a short description of the work and any variation they approved need to be on it. Put your licence number on the invoice where your state requires it and the payment reference where they cannot miss it.
Opens the free generator with these line items, terms and notes filled in. Add your details and download the PDF. No account, nothing uploaded.
What the invoice looks like
Sample business, sample client and the preset lines. The generator uses the same renderer, so your PDF matches this.
| Description | Qty | Unit | Unit price | GST | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Call-out and first hour of labour | 1 | each | $120.00 | 10% | $120.00 |
Labour, additional hours | 3 | hr | $95.00 | 10% | $285.00 |
Materials: cable, conduit and fittings (supplier docket attached) | 1 | lot | $186.40 | 10% | $186.40 |
Waste removal and site clean-up | 1 | each | $45.00 | 10% | $45.00 |
Four styles and your own accent colour are available in the generator.
The preset line items
Starting points, priced ex GST. Change the descriptions, quantities and rates to match the job; add or delete lines as you go.
| Description | Qty | Unit | Unit price | GST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call-out and first hour of labour | 1 | each | $120.00 | 10% |
| Labour, additional hours | 3 | hr | $95.00 | 10% |
| Materials: cable, conduit and fittings (supplier docket attached) | 1 | lot | $186.40 | 10% |
| Waste removal and site clean-up | 1 | each | $45.00 | 10% |
Suggested payment terms
Payment due within 7 days of the invoice date. Builders and agencies: 14 days from invoice date as agreed. Please quote the invoice number on your payment.
Suggested notes
Work carried out at [job address] on [date]. Materials are supplied at cost plus handling and remain the property of the contractor until paid in full. Workmanship warranty: 12 months from completion. Licence number: [your licence number].
What must be on a tax invoice
The ATO's list. The template lays each one out for you; it is general information, not tax advice.
- The words "Tax invoice" (an invoice without GST can just say "Invoice")
- Your identity: your business or trading name
- Your ABN
- The date the invoice was issued
- A description of what was sold, with the quantity and the price of each item
- The GST amount, shown separately or as "Total includes GST of $X"
- Which items carry GST if some do and some do not
- For sales of $1,000 or more, the buyer's identity or ABN as well
Worth adding for your trade
- The job address and the date the work was done
- Your trade licence number where your state requires it on invoices
- The variation or extra work the client approved, and who approved it
- Any deposit or progress payment already received, so the balance is clear
General information only, not tax advice. Check your own situation with a registered tax agent or the ATO.
Questions about invoicing
Do I charge GST on materials if Bunnings already charged me GST?
Yes. You claim back the GST you paid on the materials through your BAS, and you charge GST on the amount you invoice the client for them. The two are separate transactions. If you are not registered for GST, you cannot charge it and you simply pass the cost through.
How do I invoice a deposit and a progress claim?
Issue a tax invoice for each stage: a deposit invoice before you start, a progress claim as each stage is finished, and a final invoice for the balance. On a cash basis the GST goes on the BAS for the quarter you receive each payment. Note the payments received so far in the notes of the final invoice.
Do I need to include the builder's ABN?
For a tax invoice of $1,000 or more you need the buyer's identity or ABN, and most builders will want their ABN and purchase order number on it anyway. Under $1,000 the buyer's details are optional but still good practice.
General information only, not tax advice. Check your own situation with a registered tax agent or the ATO.
Want it numbered, sent and chased automatically?
FlowFi keeps your clients and invoice numbers, emails each invoice with a pay-online link, marks it viewed when the client opens it, and sends polite reminders at 1, 7 and 14 days overdue. Quotes, recurring invoices and your BAS from the bank statement are included. Pro is $29 a month, the first 14 days are free, and there is no card to enter.
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