What's an Invoice?

An invoice is a written request for payment that a seller sends to a buyer after goods or services have been supplied. It lists what was delivered, the price, and how the buyer should pay. Invoices are the backbone of small-business bookkeeping and are required for GST, BAS, and tax reporting.

What's on a typical invoice:

  • Your business name, ABN, and contact details
  • A unique invoice number and date of issue
  • The buyer's name and billing address
  • A description of the goods or services with quantity and price
  • Subtotal, GST (if applicable), and total amount due
  • Payment terms — due date and accepted payment methods

Invoices are different from receipts: an invoice requests payment, while a receipt confirms payment has been made. In Australia, GST-registered businesses must issue "tax invoices" for sales over $82.50 (GST inclusive). You can create an invoice in seconds with a free tool like InvoiceSonic — no software install or signup required.

Ready to create your first invoice? Use InvoiceSonic's free invoice generator and get a professional PDF in under 2 minutes.

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