Invoice template for NSW businesses
Free, ATO-compliant invoices for businesses in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and the Central Coast. GST or no GST, your ABN and licence number on every document, and a PDF ready to email before you leave the job.
- Federal ATO fields
- GST optional
- Licence number supported
- Free to use
- From
- Northside Electrical Pty Ltd
- ABN 12 345 678 901
- Bill to
- Harbourview Property Group
- ABN 98 765 432 109
- Invoice no.
- INV-1042
- Date issued
- 14 July 2026
| Description | Qty | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Site inspection & report | 1 | $450.00 |
| Installation labour (6 hrs) | 6 | $720.00 |
| Materials — as quoted | 1 | $286.00 |
Does NSW have its own invoice rules?
Not for tax. GST, ABNs and the tax invoice requirements are set federally by the ATO, so an invoice that is valid in New South Wales is valid in every other state and territory. There is no NSW version of a tax invoice, no different GST rate, and no different registration threshold.
What does change at the state line is everything around the invoice: who licenses your trade, who you deal with in a consumer dispute, and what your customers have come to expect on the paperwork.
The NSW context
NSW has the largest small business population in the country, and the widest spread of licensed trades. Builders, electricians, plumbers and motor dealers are licensed through NSW Fair Trading, and a licence number is commonly expected on quotes and invoices for licensed work even though the ATO does not require it.
One practical note
For residential building work in NSW, the contract requirements under the Home Building Act are separate from your invoicing obligations — a compliant tax invoice does not substitute for a compliant contract on jobs above the relevant threshold.
The federal requirements that do apply
These are the ATO's tax invoice requirements for a taxable sale under $1,000. They are the same in NSW as everywhere else.
| What must appear | Why the ATO requires it |
|---|---|
| That the document is intended to be a tax invoice | Without it, the document is just an invoice. Your customer's ability to claim a GST credit depends on this being unambiguous — in practice, the words “Tax invoice” on the document. |
| The seller's identity | Your business or trading name, so the customer knows who supplied the goods or services. |
| The seller's ABN | Your Australian Business Number. If you supply a business and do not quote an ABN, they may be required to withhold 47% of the payment. |
| The date the invoice was issued | Fixes the invoice to a tax period for both sides. |
| A brief description of the items sold | Including the quantity where it applies, and the price. Enough that the customer can tell what they are paying for. |
| The GST amount | Shown as a separate amount, or as the statement “Total price includes GST” — the latter only where the GST is exactly one-eleventh of the total. |
| The extent to which each sale is taxable | Where some lines carry GST and others do not, the invoice must make clear which is which. |
Above $1,000
The buyer's identity or ABN must also appear. InvoiceGen captures the buyer's details on every invoice, so the same document works either side of the threshold.
Pick the template that matches your registration
The GST question, not the state, is what determines which document you should be issuing.
GST tax invoice
For NSW businesses registered for GST. Shows GST at 10% as a separate amount.
Learn more →Invoice — no GST
For NSW businesses under the $75,000 threshold. No GST, headed 'Invoice' rather than 'Tax invoice'.
Learn more →ABN invoice
For NSW sole traders and contractors invoicing under an ABN.
Learn more →Invoicing in NSW, sorted
Free, unlimited invoices with your ABN and licence details on every one. Nothing to install.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a specific invoice template for NSW?
Not for tax purposes. GST and tax invoice requirements are set federally by the ATO and are identical in every state and territory, so an invoice that is valid in NSW is valid everywhere in Australia. What varies locally is trade licensing and the fair trading body you deal with — which is why NSW businesses often add a licence number to the document even though the ATO does not require one.
Do I need a NSW licence number on my invoice?
The ATO does not require it. But for licensed trades, NSW Fair Trading and your customers generally expect to see it, and including it removes a question before it is asked. InvoiceGen lets you add it to your business profile so it appears on every document.
Do I charge GST at a different rate in this state?
No. GST is a federal tax at a flat 10% across all of Australia. There is no state variation in the rate, the registration threshold or the tax invoice requirements.
Who do I contact about an invoicing dispute in NSW?
For consumer and trader disputes, NSW Fair Trading is the starting point. For tax matters — GST, ABN, record keeping — it is the ATO. For unpaid commercial debts, the state's small claims or civil tribunal process applies. Getting the invoice itself right is what makes any of those routes straightforward.
How long do I need to keep my invoices?
Generally at least five years, and this is a federal requirement so it applies identically in every state. Electronic copies are acceptable provided they are complete and you can produce them if asked.