How to create an invoice template

Congratulations! You’ve set up your business, got the word out, and won yourself a customer or two. Now you’re ready to send out your first invoice. But where do you start?

1. Create your own invoice template

When you’re ready to start invoicing, there are a few ways you can get an invoice template:

• If you want to design your own invoice, the Australian Tax Office voluntary standards provide a good guide to what to include and how to lay out the information. 
• If you want to use a pre-designed free invoice template with GST, you can download this free Excel invoice template (XLS 13KB) and add your business details to it.

2. Put the right details on the invoice

Your invoice represents your business, so you want it to be as professional looking as possible. Not only should it ideally feature your business logo, but there are other important details you need to include:

Your information:

• Business name – if you are a sole trader or freelancer you can use your personal name
• Business address
• Contact details
• ABN/ACN
• If you are GST registered your invoice should include the words ‘tax invoice’ and you need to include the GST amount for each item along with some extra details. If you’re not registered for GST, you don’t need to show these words and your invoice should show that no GST was charged on the purchase. Check out www.business.gov.au for useful information on invoice types

Your customer’s information:

Make sure you have the correct customer name, contact details and address.

Details of the goods/services bought:

List the products you sold, their prices and how many were sold. Or, if you were providing a service, include a description of the work you did and the fees involved so your customer is clear. If there is a reference number make sure it is included.

3. Make it easy to get paid

Specify the reference you want your customers to include on their payment to you, which might be their specific invoice number. Make sure you include the payment methods you accept (i.e. your business bank account details and/or how customers can pay via credit card). Also, mention on the invoice your payment terms and due date.