Free template · Builders
Free builder invoice template (Australia)
Builder invoicing is progress-claim invoicing: deposit, base, frame, lock-up, fixing, completion, with each claim its own Tax Invoice tied to a contract stage. The template below is structured for that: stage reference, contract price, claim amount, GST, and the running total of what's been claimed to date.
Because most building work runs under state contracts (HIA, MBA or owner-builder arrangements) with their own rules about claim timing and amounts, treat this template as the ATO-correct layer; your contract governs when and how much you can claim. It handles the $1,000+ rule automatically: owner identity sits right under yours.
See it filled in
A builder invoice, done right
TAX INVOICE
Keystone Building Co.
| Description | Qty | Unit (ex GST) | GST | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progress claim 3 of 6: frame stage complete (per contract BC-2024-08) | 1 | $38,500.00 | $3,850.00 | $42,350.00 |
| Variation V-02: upgrade to 90x45 MGP12 frame (signed 28/07) | 1 | $2,400.00 | $240.00 | $2,640.00 |
| Site cleanup & waste removal, frame stage | 1 | $650.00 | $65.00 | $715.00 |
| Subtotal (ex GST) | $41,550.00 | |||
| GST | $4,155.00 | |||
| Total (inc GST) | $45,705.00 | |||
Contract BC-2024-08. Claimed to date incl. this claim: $118,700 of $196,400. Payment 5 business days per contract.
Trade-specific rules
GST notes for builders
Building & construction: where invoicing means progress claims, variations and deposits under a written contract, and the paperwork requirements step up accordingly.
- Each progress claim is a full Tax Invoice: heading, ABN, date, stage description, GST. Include the owner's name (and ABN if a company); claims are almost always over $1,000.
- Variations must reference the signed variation number and date. GST applies to variations exactly as to the base contract.
- A claims-to-date table (claimed / this claim / remaining) isn't an ATO requirement, but banks financing the build often require it before releasing funds.
Word, Excel or Google Docs
Using this builder invoice template in other formats
Microsoft Word
Recreate the PDF’s structure with a 5-column table (description, qty, unit price, GST, amount). Keep the words “Tax Invoice” as the document title, your ABN under your business name, and add a totals block of subtotal / GST / total. Word’s tables won’t calculate GST for you, so double-check every amount: a wrong GST figure is the most common Word-template mistake we saw in real builder invoices.
Excel / spreadsheets
Excel handles the maths: set GST per line to =ROUND(qty*unit*0.1, 2) for GST-inclusive work, and total to subtotal + GST. The trap is what Excel doesn’t do: it won’t stop you issuing two invoices with the same number, and PDFs exported from spreadsheets often crop columns, so always check the print preview before sending.
Google Docs
Same structure as Word. One advantage: a single master doc you copy per invoice keeps your numbering sequential. One warning: sharing the live doc link instead of a PDF lets the amounts change after sending, so always download as PDF before it goes to the customer.
Honestly? Every format above still means retyping your details each time. The free invoice generator fills the same ATO-correct layout in your browser and downloads the PDF, no signup required.
Related
Before you send it
- Not registered for GST, or not sure? The sole trader invoice template has a no-GST version of this layout, and invoicing without GST in Australia explains what changes on the page.
- Invoicing a builder as a subbie? Read the subcontractor invoice guide for progress claims, variations and retention.
- Tired of retyping your details? The best invoice app for tradies and sole traders compares the apps Aussie builders actually use, with current prices.
Fair questions
FAQ
Is a progress claim the same as a tax invoice?
For GST purposes your claim should be issued as a Tax Invoice (or followed by one immediately). Many building contracts also impose their own claim format, so satisfy both: contract format plus ATO elements.
When do I account for GST on progress payments?
Generally when you invoice (accruals) or when paid (cash accounting), per your BAS basis. Long builds make this worth a conversation with your accountant; the template just makes sure each claim is compliant.
Deposits: how much and how invoiced?
State law caps deposits on domestic building work (commonly 5–10% depending on contract value and state). Invoice the deposit as its own Tax Invoice referencing the contract.
Invoices in 60 seconds, from your phone
Dinkum Invoice is a free unlimited invoicing app built for Aussie builders: ATO-correct every time, no invoice caps, and your records stay yours forever. Create an account to lock in the $9/mo BAS tier for life.
More free stuff: the invoice generator, the builder invoice example, or templates for other trades.