How to bill hours and days
| You bill by | Qty | Unit $ |
|---|---|---|
| The hour | Hours worked | Hourly rate |
| The day | Days worked | Day rate |
| A fixed fee or milestone | 1 | The agreed amount |
| Expenses you pass on | 1 | The cost, as agreed in your contract |
Put the billing period in the description, for example "week ending 24 Oct". Put the client's purchase order, contract or timesheet number in the Reference field. Many companies' accounts teams won't pay an invoice without it.
What business clients look for
Accounts teams usually check for your ABN, a PO or contract reference, the GST amount if you're registered, and your bank details. Contract invoices often pass $1,000, so add the client's business name or ABN. The checklist beside the preview tells you when it's needed.
If your rate already includes GST, choose "Prices include GST" and the generator works the GST out of it. Otherwise GST is added on top.
Questions people ask
How do I invoice for hours worked?
Put the hours in Qty and your hourly rate in Unit $. Add the billing period to the description and the client's PO or timesheet number in Reference.
Do contractors charge GST?
Only if you're registered for GST. You must register when your GST turnover reaches $75,000 a year. If you're not registered, switch off "Registered for GST" and the invoice has no GST.
What payment terms should a contractor use?
Use what your contract says. 14 or 30 days is common. Choose the terms and the due date is worked out from the issue date.
Is my rate including or excluding GST?
Check your contract. If it says your rate includes GST, choose "Prices include GST" and the generator works out the GST inside it. Otherwise choose "Prices exclude GST" and 10% is added.
Can I number invoices automatically?
Tick "Remember my details". Each time you save a PDF, the next invoice number is ready for your next invoice.
Sources and limits
- ATO: Tax invoices
- ATO: Registering for GST
- ABN Lookup to confirm an ABN is active
The ABN check only confirms the number is in a valid format. This tool uses the standard 10% GST rate and is general information, not tax or legal advice.