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Free Consultant Payment Plan Agreement Generator — Australia

Create a professional payment plan agreement tailored for consultant businesses in Australia. Set up instalment payment plans with clear terms and schedules.

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Common Payment Plan Agreement Line Items for Consultants

Here are typical items you might include on a consultant payment plan agreement:

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 Payment Plan Agreement

Follow these steps to put together a consultant payment plan agreement with our free generator:

  1. Enter the total amount owed and the client's details.
  2. Set the instalment amount, frequency, and number of payments needed to clear the balance.
  3. Note any late fees or interest that apply if an instalment is missed.
  4. Download the agreement as a PDF for both parties to sign before the first instalment is due.

What to Include on a Consultant Payment Plan Agreement

A consultant payment plan agreement should cover these fields, plus a few billing norms specific to how consultants typically operate in Australia.

Fields to include

  • Instalment schedule: List every instalment amount and due date so both parties can track progress against the plan.
  • Default consequences: State what happens if a payment is missed — for example, the full balance becoming due immediately.
  • Signatures: Have both parties sign the plan before it starts, so the agreed terms are clearly evidenced.

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 payment plan agreement:

  • Starting a payment plan on a verbal agreement rather than a signed document.
  • Leaving out what happens on a missed payment, which weakens your position if the client defaults.

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.
What should a payment plan include?
A payment plan should specify: total amount owed, instalment amounts and dates, any interest or late fees, consequences of default, and signatures from both parties.
Can I charge interest or fees on a payment plan?
Yes, as long as the fees are clearly disclosed and agreed in writing before the plan starts — silently adding fees later can make the plan unenforceable.

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