Business guides · Australia
Business guides for sole traders and tradies in Australia.
For sole traders and tradies: your ABN, GST registration, the ATO tax return, business expenses and the cents-per-km method, and the licensing rules that change from state to state.
- sole trader
- tradie
- ATO
- ABN
- GST
- business expenses
- cents per km
Start here.
The guides most people working for themselves in Australia need first.
- BAS Due Dates 2026–27: Quarterly, Monthly and Tax Agent Dates
- How to Become a Sole Trader in Australia: ABN, Business Name, GST
- How to Calculate GST in Australia: Add 10%, Divide by 11
- How to Cancel an ABN, Reactivate It or Update Your ABN Details
- How to Find My ABN (and Check Someone Else's ABN)
- Independent Contractor vs Employee in Australia: How the Tests Work
Rules by state.
Licensing, insurance and GST on your work — where the province or state changes the answer.
New South Wales
Queensland
Victoria
Western Australia
Guides by topic.
Written for Australia first. Guides marked any market apply wherever you work.
Start your business
Registration, licences, insurance and the first-week list — the rules that apply where you work.
- How to Become a Sole Trader in Australia: ABN, Business Name, GSTAustralia
- How to Register for GST in Australia (and the $75,000 Threshold)Australia
Price & quote work
Building a number from your own costs, and putting it in front of the customer.
- How Much Should I Charge to Paint a Bedroom?any market
- How Much to Charge for Junk Removal: Per Load, Per Ton, Per Hourany market
- How Much to Charge for Pest Control: Initial vs. Recurringany market
Jobs & customers
When the job changes, the estimate was too low, or the customer needs a conversation.
- Appliance Repair Estimate Came In Too Low: What to Do Nextany market
- Concrete Estimate Came In Too Low: Yards, Base, and Finishany market
- Drywall Estimate Came In Too Low: Level, Area, Change Orderany market
Invoices & getting paid
What goes on the invoice, deposits, payment terms, and what to do when it is late.
- Proforma Invoice: What It Is and When to Use One in AustraliaAustralia
- Recipient Created Tax Invoice (RCTI) Explained for SubcontractorsAustralia
- What Is an Invoice? Invoice vs Tax Invoice vs Receipt (Australia)Australia
- Invoice App for Australian Sole Traders: What to Look ForAustralia
- How to Invoice as a Sole Trader in Australia: ATO Tax Invoice RulesAustralia
- Appliance Repair Invoice Example: Every Line Explainedany market
- Auto Detailing Customer Won't Pay: Keys, Cards, Chargebacksany market
- Can a Drywall Contractor Charge a Deposit? How and How Muchany market
Receipts & expenses
What you can deduct, what to keep, and how to keep it so it survives an audit.
- What Can I Claim on Tax Without Receipts? ATO Rules ExplainedAustralia
- Receipt Templates for Australian Sole Traders (ABN and GST Ready)Australia
- Tax Deductions for Sole Traders in Australia: What Can I Claim?Australia
- How to Approve Scanned Receipts Without Guessworkany market
- Receipt Retention Guide for Solo Businessesany market
- Receipt Scanner for Freelancers That Stays Privateany market
Mileage
The rate, the log and what counts as business driving.
All mileage guides →Taxes & deductions
What you owe, when it is due, sales tax on your work, and the return itself.
- BAS Due Dates 2026–27: Quarterly, Monthly and Tax Agent DatesAustralia
- How to Calculate GST in Australia: Add 10%, Divide by 11Australia
- How to Cancel an ABN, Reactivate It or Update Your ABN DetailsAustralia
- How to Find My ABN (and Check Someone Else's ABN)Australia
- Independent Contractor vs Employee in Australia: How the Tests WorkAustralia
- Sole Trader Super in Australia: What's Required and What You Can ClaimAustralia
- How to Manage Irregular Income Without Guessingany market
Records & bookkeeping
How long to keep records, separating money, and handing the year to your accountant.
All records & bookkeeping guides →Tools & templates
Estimate and invoice templates by trade, with a free maker that runs in your browser.
- Australian Invoice Template: Tax Invoice and Non-GST VersionsAustralia
- Appliance Repair Invoice Template: Parts, Labor, Warrantyany market
- Auto Detailing Invoice Template: Size Class, Package, Conditionany market
- Concrete Estimate Template (Free) + Filled Example: Yards and Finishany market
Compare business apps
Where the alternatives fit, where they do not, and what you give up when you link a bank.
- Does Venmo Use Plaid? Yes: How It Links Your Bank and How to Skip Itany market
- Keel vs Expensify: Expense Reports or a Solo Ledger?any market
- Keel vs FreshBooks: Subscription Books or One-Time App?any market
Free tools.
The invoice and estimate maker works in any currency. The tax and mileage calculators use US figures.
From reading about it to doing it.
Keel keeps your invoices, receipts, expenses and trips on your iPhone. Freeboard’s tax reserve and the built-in mileage rate use US figures today; invoices, receipts, expenses and trip logging work as-is in Australia. Keel is free to use, with no invoice limit. Keel Lifetime, a one-time $249.99, adds your branding and signature, premium templates and accountant-ready exports. No subscription.