How to Create an Invoice as a Sole Trader

Creating an invoice as a sole trader is straightforward — you just need a clean template, your ABN, and the right fields. You can issue invoices under your own name or a registered trading name. If your turnover is over $75,000 you must register for GST and issue tax invoices instead.

Step by step: 1. Open a sole-trader invoice template or use InvoiceSonic 2. Add your full name (and trading name if you have one) and ABN 3. Include your address, phone, and email 4. Generate a unique invoice number — e.g. INV-0001 5. Add today's date 6. Enter the client's name and billing address 7. List the work — hours, units, or fixed milestones — with description and rate 8. Calculate subtotal, GST (if registered), and total amount due 9. Set payment terms (Net 7 or Net 14 is common) 10. Add bank, BPAY, or PayID details 11. Save as PDF and email to the client

Keep every invoice for at least five years for ATO records. Without an ABN, clients may have to withhold 47% under No-ABN Withholding — so apply for one before sending your first invoice.