Guides for Australian tradies
Plain-English help with quoting, tax invoices, GST and getting paid, plus free calculators and checklists you can use on your phone.
30 guides. Updated 4 November 2026.
Quoting and pricing
Price jobs properly, write quotes people say yes to, and follow them up.
How to quote a job: a step-by-step guide for tradiesHow to price and write a trade quote that wins work and protects your margin: costing, markup, GST, deposits, what to include and how to follow up.4 min · includes a calculatorHow to calculate your hourly rate as a tradieWork out the hourly rate you actually need: wages, overheads, tax, super, unpaid admin time and profit. Includes a free calculator and worked example.4 min · includes a calculatorMarkup vs margin: the difference that decides your profitMarkup and margin are not the same, and mixing them up costs tradies money. See the formulas, a conversion table, worked examples and a free calculator.3 min · includes a calculatorHow to follow up a quote without sounding pushyMost quotes are not rejected, they are forgotten. Learn when to follow up a trade quote and copy a ready-made message.4 min · includes a calculatorQuote or estimate? Why the word mattersA quote and an estimate are not the same in trade work. Learn the difference, when to use each and how to avoid disputes.4 min · includes a checklistSeven reasons customers say nothing after your quoteQuotes that never get answered usually fail for the same few reasons. Find out what they are and how to win more trade jobs.3 min · includes a checklist
Invoicing and getting paid
Tax invoices, deposits, payment terms and chasing late payers.
How to write a valid tax invoice in Australia (with a free checklist)What a tax invoice must show for GST in Australia, when you must issue one, a sample layout, common mistakes and a free checklist for tradies.4 min · includes a checklistHow to chase an overdue invoice without losing the customerA calm, step-by-step way to chase late-paying customers in Australia, from a friendly reminder to a final notice.4 min · includes a calculatorPayment terms that actually get you paidChoose and write clear payment terms for trade quotes and invoices: due dates, deposits, late fees and how to get customers to agree.4 min · includes a calculatorHow to ask for a deposit on a trade jobWhy deposits protect your cash flow, how much to ask for, the state rules to check and how to collect one with a quote.3 min · includes a calculatorProgress payments: get paid as the job moves alongBreak bigger jobs into stages so you are never out of pocket. How to set milestones, invoice each stage and avoid disputes.3 min · includes a calculatorHow to get paid faster as a tradie: 12 things that workLate payment is the biggest cash flow problem for tradies. 12 practical ways to get paid sooner: deposits, terms, instant invoicing, reminders and payment links.4 min · includes a calculator
ABN, GST and tax basics
The tax admin every sole trader and small trade business runs into.
Do you need to register for GST as a tradie? The $75,000 rule, explainedYou must register for GST when your turnover hits $75,000 in 12 months. Learn how to check, the 21-day deadline, worked examples and a free checker.6 min · includes a calculatorHow to calculate GST: adding it, taking it out and avoiding the usual slipAdd GST to a price, remove it from a GST-inclusive price and avoid the divide-by-10 mistake. Free calculator, worked examples and a quick-reference table.4 min · includes a calculatorBAS for tradies: what it is, what goes on it and when it is dueA plain-English guide to the business activity statement for sole traders: what to report, quarterly due dates, how to prepare it and how to avoid late fees.4 min · includes a calculatorTax deductions for tradies: what you can claim and how to prove itThe three ATO rules for deductions, common tradie claims, vehicle and tool rules, records to keep and mistakes that trigger audits. Includes a checklist.4 min · includes a checklistHow much of each payment to put aside for taxStop the end-of-year tax shock. A simple routine for setting aside GST and income tax, with a calculator you can adjust.3 min · includes a calculatorThe instant asset write-off explained for tradiesHow the $20,000 instant asset write-off works for small businesses, which purchases qualify and what to check with your accountant.4 min
Winning customers
Get found, answer fast, collect reviews and keep customers coming back.
How to get more Google reviews without being awkwardReviews win trade jobs. When to ask, what to say and a free message writer you can copy and send.3 min · includes a calculatorGoogle Business Profile for tradies: set it up and rank higherHow to set up and optimise a free Google Business Profile for a trade business: categories, service areas, photos, reviews, posts and what actually helps you rank.4 min · includes a calculatorHow to answer enquiries faster when you are on the toolsYou cannot answer the phone on a roof. Practical ways to reply fast, stop missing leads and win more work.3 min · includes a checklistHow tradies get more jobs online without paying a fortuneA practical plan for tradies to get found online: Google profile, reviews, a simple website, directories and word of mouth.3 minTurn one job into years of workKeep customers coming back: follow up after the job, stay in touch, ask for referrals and make rebooking easy.3 minA simple website that gets the phone ringingWhat to put on a trade business website: services, areas, photos, reviews and a clear way to get in touch.3 min
Running the business
Job costing, break-even, the weekly admin routine and choosing software.
Job costing: did that job actually make money?Work out the real profit on a trade job, including labour, materials and extras, and see profit per hour with a free calculator.3 min · includes a calculatorHow many jobs do you need to break even?Work out how many jobs and how much revenue you need each month to cover fixed costs, with a simple calculator.3 min · includes a calculatorA weekly admin routine that takes under an hourStop admin eating your weekends. A simple weekly routine for quotes, invoices, follow-ups and records, as a tickable checklist.3 min · includes a checklistHow to choose quoting and invoicing software for your tradeWhat to look for in quoting software for tradies: mobile use, GST-correct tax invoices, reminders, pricing and trial terms.3 min · includes a checklistPaying super for your employees, simply explainedThe super guarantee rate is 12%. Learn who it applies to, when it is due and use a free calculator.3 min · includes a calculatorStarting a trade business in Australia: the setup checklistWhat to sort before your first job: ABN, licence, insurance, bank account, GST, pricing and templates.3 min · includes a checklist
Free calculators and checklists
Quote total calculatorWorks on your phone. Opens inside: How to quote a job: a step-by-step guide for tradiesCalculatorGST calculatorWorks on your phone. Opens inside: How to quote a job: a step-by-step guide for tradiesCalculatorDeposit and progress payment plannerWorks on your phone. Opens inside: How to quote a job: a step-by-step guide for tradiesCalculatorQuote follow-up message writerWorks on your phone. Opens inside: How to quote a job: a step-by-step guide for tradiesCalculatorHourly rate calculatorWorks on your phone. Opens inside: How to calculate your hourly rate as a tradieCalculatorJob profit calculatorWorks on your phone. Opens inside: How to calculate your hourly rate as a tradieCalculatorMarkup and margin calculatorWorks on your phone. Opens inside: Markup vs margin: the difference that decides your profitCalculatorQuote checklistWorks on your phone. Opens inside: Quote or estimate? Why the word mattersChecklistTax invoice checklistWorks on your phone. Opens inside: How to write a valid tax invoice in Australia (with a free checklist)ChecklistPayment due date calculatorWorks on your phone. Opens inside: How to chase an overdue invoice without losing the customerCalculatorWeekly admin routineWorks on your phone. Opens inside: How to get paid faster as a tradie: 12 things that workChecklistDo I need to register for GST?Works on your phone. Opens inside: Do you need to register for GST as a tradie? The $75,000 rule, explainedCalculatorBAS due date finderWorks on your phone. Opens inside: BAS for tradies: what it is, what goes on it and when it is dueCalculatorTax set-aside calculatorWorks on your phone. Opens inside: BAS for tradies: what it is, what goes on it and when it is dueCalculatorRecords to keep for taxWorks on your phone. Opens inside: Tax deductions for tradies: what you can claim and how to prove itChecklistReview request writerWorks on your phone. Opens inside: How to get more Google reviews without being awkwardCalculatorBreak-even calculatorWorks on your phone. Opens inside: How many jobs do you need to break even?CalculatorWhat to look for in quoting softwareWorks on your phone. Opens inside: How to choose quoting and invoicing software for your tradeChecklistSuper guarantee calculatorWorks on your phone. Opens inside: Paying super for your employees, simply explainedCalculatorSet up checklist for a new trade businessWorks on your phone. Opens inside: Starting a trade business in Australia: the setup checklistChecklist
Quote the next job before they ring someone else.
Set up in a few minutes. 7 days free, no card needed.
Start your free trial