You have done the work. Now you need a document that helps the payment happen without another long email thread. An invoice is that handover: a small set of clear instructions for the person paying you.
It does not need fancy language. A recognisable project name, a readable total and the right payment details do much of the heavy lifting. Here is a way to put it together.
Choose the right heading
If you are not registered for GST, use ‘Invoice’, do not add GST and do not call the document a tax invoice. For a taxable sale by a GST-registered business, use a tax invoice with the required GST information. Your ABN and GST registration are separate things; having an ABN does not by itself mean you charge GST.
If your registration or the tax treatment of the work is unclear, check it before you send the invoice. You can still prepare the descriptions and payment instructions while you work that out.
Give the payment a clear destination
Use your business identity and contact details, and address the invoice to the correct client or business. Ask whether they need a purchase-order number, an accounts email address or a particular project reference. A well-prepared invoice sent to the wrong inbox can still sit unpaid.
Add a unique invoice number. Think of it as the label on a folder: both of you can refer to the same document without having to describe it from scratch.
- Business name, contact details and ABN where applicable.
- Client identity and the correct billing contact.
- Unique invoice number and issue date.
- Description, quantity, unit price, currency and total.
- GST information where required; for tax invoices of A$1,000 or more, include the buyer’s identity or ABN.
- Agreed due date, payment method and reference to use.
Describe the work so someone else recognises it
‘Design services’ may mean plenty to you but little to the accounts person. ‘Homepage design, approved concept and mobile layouts, project Willow’ gives them something to match to the agreed work. Use separate rows for genuinely different deliverables.
For hourly work, include the service period, hours and agreed rate. For a fixed fee, use the agreed milestone or deliverable. You do not need to squeeze the whole project history onto the page.
Illustrative example — business not registered for GST Invoice INV-0104 · Issued 1 November 2026 · Due 15 November 2026 Homepage design, approved project scope: 1 × A$850 = A$850 Total payable: AUD A$850 GST has not been charged. Payment: [your verified payment details] · Reference: INV-0104
Make the last check a short one
Compare the draft with your quote or agreement. Check the client, currency, calculation and due date, then confirm the payment details from your own trusted records. An invoice due date should reflect the terms you agreed, rather than surprise the client after delivery.
Send the invoice through the agreed channel and keep a copy. If you change an issued document later, keep a clear record of the correction and check whether an adjustment document is needed. Quietly replacing old copies makes the story harder to follow.
Give yourself a repeatable starting point
Save client details and reuse descriptions that still fit the work. A template should save typing, but it is worth reading it once each time: yesterday’s project, currency or bank details may not belong on today’s invoice.
In Lufu, you can prepare a draft, review the line items and due date, then generate a PDF. Keep the administrative handover short enough that you can get back to the work you enjoy.
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A little context: this is general information for Australian businesses, not advice for your individual tax or legal position. Tax details were checked against the linked official guidance on 1 November 2026. For decisions about your circumstances, a registered tax agent or qualified adviser can help.