Free Consultant Invoice Generator — Australia
Create a professional invoice tailored for consultant businesses in Australia. Create professional tax invoices with GST calculations, ABN, and payment details.
Create Your Invoice Now →Common Invoice Line Items for Consultants
Here are typical items you might include on a consultant invoice:
| Description | Unit |
|---|---|
| Consulting services | hour |
| Strategy workshop | session |
| Report / deliverable | each |
| Retainer (monthly) | month |
| Travel and expenses | each |
Typical Consultant Pricing in Australia
Rates vary by state and job complexity, but these are the kinds of ranges consultants commonly charge:
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Consulting services | $150–$400 per hour |
| Strategy workshop | $800–$3,000 per session |
| Report / deliverable | $1,000–$10,000+ |
| Retainer (monthly) | $2,000–$15,000 per month |
| Travel and expenses | at cost, itemised |
Compliance Tips for Consultants
- ABN must appear on all tax invoices; the no-ABN withholding rate is 47%.
- Professional indemnity insurance may be required by contract or industry regulation.
- If operating through a company, ensure director ID registration is current.
How to Create a Consultant Invoice
Follow these steps to put together a consultant invoice with our free generator:
- Enter your business name, ABN, and address, then upload your logo so the invoice looks polished from the first send.
- Fill in the client's name and address, then give the invoice a sequential number such as INV-001.
- Add each product or service as its own line item with a description, quantity, and unit price — the generator totals GST and the grand total automatically.
- Add your BSB and account number so the client can pay by direct transfer, then download the finished invoice as a PDF.
What to Include on a Consultant Invoice
A consultant invoice should cover these fields, plus a few billing norms specific to how consultants typically operate in Australia.
Fields to include
- ABN: Your Australian Business Number must appear on every tax invoice — leaving it off risks 47% no-ABN withholding on the payment.
- GST treatment: Show the GST amount separately, or state that the total price includes GST if it is exactly 1/11 of the price.
- Invoice number: A unique, sequential number for every invoice you issue makes reconciliation and BAS preparation far easier.
- Payment details: Include a due date and your BSB/account number (or payment link) so clients can pay without asking.
How Consultants typically bill
- Retainer billing is common for ongoing advisory work, with a flat monthly fee covering an agreed scope of hours.
- Project-based consulting is usually billed at defined milestones tied to deliverables rather than hours worked.
- Bill in arrears with net-14 terms for trusted clients; require an upfront deposit for new engagements.
- Disbursements (travel, software licences) are listed as separate line items rather than absorbed into the fee.
An ABN is required on all tax invoices to avoid 47% no-ABN withholding, and GST registration is mandatory once turnover reaches $75,000 — consultants operating through a company also need a current director ID.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Watch out for these common errors when preparing a consultant invoice:
- Leaving off the ABN, which can trigger 47% no-ABN withholding on the payment.
- Mixing GST-inclusive and GST-exclusive prices on one invoice without labelling which is which.
- Reusing invoice numbers, which makes it harder to reconcile payments and complicates your next BAS.
Frequently asked questions
Should a consultant operate through a company or as a sole trader?
It depends on your risk profile and income level. A company structure limits personal liability and offers a flat 25% tax rate for base-rate entities, but comes with additional compliance obligations such as ASIC fees and corporate tax returns.
How should a consultant handle disbursements on an invoice?
List disbursements (e.g., travel, software licences) as separate line items on the invoice. If you paid GST on them, you can pass through the GST-inclusive amount and claim the input credit yourself.
What is a recipient-created tax invoice and does it apply to consultants?
An RCTI is created by the payer rather than the supplier. It is uncommon for consultants unless the client specifically requires it and both parties have a written RCTI agreement in place.
Do I need an ABN on my invoice?
Yes. If you have an ABN, it must appear on every tax invoice. Without an ABN, the payer may withhold 47% of the payment.
When is a tax invoice required?
A GST-registered business must issue a tax invoice for any sale over $82.50 (including GST) when the buyer requests one.
What if my invoice is for less than $1,000?
Sales under $1,000 need seven details: the words "tax invoice", your identity, your ABN, the issue date, a description of what was sold, the GST amount (or a statement that the price includes GST), and which items are taxable. Sales of $1,000 or more must also show the buyer's identity or ABN.
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