Free template · Carpenters
Free carpenter invoice template (Australia)
Carpentry invoices usually mix per-square-metre work (decking, cladding), per-item work (doors hung, locks fitted) and hourly labour. The template below keeps those on separate lines with quantities, so a builder or homeowner can see unit rates, which is also what gets you paid faster when the quantity grows mid-job.
It's ATO-correct by default: "Tax Invoice" heading, ABN, per-line GST and rounding. If you're a subbie invoicing a builder $1,000+ including GST, the builder's identity or ABN must appear too; there's a spot for it.
See it filled in
A carpenter invoice, done right
TAX INVOICE
True Plumb Carpentry
| Description | Qty | Unit (ex GST) | GST | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supply merbau decking 140x19 (per m², laid area) | 24 | $98.00 | $235.20 | $2,587.20 |
| Labour: deck frame & laying (per m²) | 24 | $145.00 | $348.00 | $3,828.00 |
| Supply & install balustrade (per lineal metre) | 9 | $280.00 | $252.00 | $2,772.00 |
| Hang external door incl. hardware | 1 | $380.00 | $38.00 | $418.00 |
| Subtotal (ex GST) | $8,732.00 | |||
| GST | $873.20 | |||
| Total (inc GST) | $9,605.20 | |||
As per quote Q-0071 accepted 02/08. 50% deposit received, balance due 7 days.
Trade-specific rules
GST notes for carpenters
Carpentry Services: framing, fix-out, decks and doors, usually quoted per job or per square metre with materials either supplied or on-charged.
- Subcontracting to a builder? Invoices of $1,000+ (inc GST) must show the builder's identity or ABN; bookkeepers will bounce it otherwise.
- Retention clauses (builder holds 5–10%) don't change the invoice: you invoice the full amount, the retention is a payment term, not a discount.
- Quote numbers on invoices get you paid faster: reference the accepted quote so the amount is pre-agreed in the customer's mind.
Word, Excel or Google Docs
Using this carpenter 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 carpenter 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 carpenters actually use, with current prices.
Fair questions
FAQ
Do I invoice the full amount if the builder holds retention?
Yes. Invoice the full contracted amount; retention is a payment-terms arrangement. Show it as a note (e.g. '5% retention as per contract, released at practical completion') rather than reducing the invoice.
How do I invoice materials I bought for the job?
As your own line at the price you charge (including any markup), with GST. Keep your supplier receipts for your own BAS credits; they don't go on the customer's invoice.
Progress payments on a bigger job?
Each progress claim is its own Tax Invoice with the same ATO elements. Number them in sequence (INV-021-1, -2) and reference the stage.
Invoices in 60 seconds, from your phone
Dinkum Invoice is a free unlimited invoicing app built for Aussie carpenters: 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 carpenter invoice example, or templates for other trades.