The 3 Best Free Invoicing Software Options in Australia (2026)

Running a small business or a trade in Australia is tough enough without wrestling with invoicing on top of it. You are on site, chasing suppliers, and trying to get the job finished. The last thing you want at night is building an invoice from scratch in a Word document.

Free invoicing software can save real time, but only if it handles GST correctly, includes your ABN, and lets you send an invoice from your phone in a couple of minutes.

Disclosure: This article is published by Invio and includes our product in the comparison.

If you want the broader learning path first, start in the Invio resources hub for templates, GST help, and sole-trader guides. If you only need the document layout, open the free tax invoice template Australia.

Quick comparison

Note: Pricing and free-plan limits checked directly against each provider in July 2026 and can change - check each provider's current terms before you commit.

What to look for in free invoicing software in Australia

• GST handling: GST is 10% in Australia, calculated as one-eleventh of the GST-inclusive price. The tool should let you enter your ABN and show GST clearly once you are registered.
• AUD by default: You should not have to change currency settings on every invoice.
• Speed: You should be able to send a clean invoice in under two minutes.
• Professional output: PDF download or email delivery should be included.
• Data retention: If you invoice the same client weekly, saved client details are a major time saver.
• Export options: Make sure you can export PDFs or data if you ever switch tools.

The 3 best free invoicing software options in Australia

1. Zoho Invoice

Zoho Invoice is a standalone invoicing product that Zoho made permanently free, separate from the paid Zoho Books accounting suite.

Typical features

• Invoices, quotes, and recurring invoices from a web dashboard
• Saved clients so you are not retyping details every job
• Payment reminders and a client portal
• Time tracking and basic expense tracking

GST and ABN notes: Confirm your ABN and 10% GST rate are set up correctly before you send your first invoice, and check that the layout meets the ATO's tax invoice requirements for your invoice value.

Best for: Sole traders and small businesses with repeat clients who want a genuinely free, account-based tool.

Limitations: The free plan is capped at 500 invoices a year and 2 users, with 3 projects, and free invoices carry Zoho Invoice branding.

2. Square Invoices

Square Invoices is free to send, and Square makes its money on the card processing fee when your client pays - a natural fit if you already take card payments on the job.

Typical features

• Unlimited invoices, estimates, and contracts on the free plan
• Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Afterpay accepted directly on the invoice
• Works well on mobile devices, useful for invoicing from site
• Next-day bank transfers included free

GST and ABN notes: You can enter your ABN and GST is calculated when you build the invoice. Always double-check the totals for accuracy before sending.

Best for: Tradies and small businesses who want clients to be able to pay by card the moment the invoice lands.

Limitations: There is no subscription cost, but card payments through an invoice currently carry a processing fee (around 2.2% for online card payments, less in person) - factor that into your pricing if most clients pay by card.

3. RosterElf Invoice Generator

RosterElf's free invoice generator is a browser-based tool aimed at Australian sole traders who need a compliant tax invoice without creating an account.

Typical features

• No signup or login required - the form works instantly
• ABN field and a "Tax Invoice (GST-registered)" option that calculates 10% GST automatically
• Logo upload and instant PDF download
• Draft saving to your own browser, not to a server account

GST and ABN notes: The generator will do the GST arithmetic for you, but you are responsible for checking the result meets the ATO's tax invoice requirements before you send it.

Best for: A one-off or occasional invoice where you do not want to create an account at all.

Limitations: Nothing is saved for next time. There is no client list, no email sending, and no reminders - every invoice starts from a blank form.

The hidden costs of "free"

Free tools can save money, but they can cost time, or take a cut of every payment. A generator that does not store client details means you retype names, addresses, and bank details every time. A payments-first tool like Square is free to use but not free to be paid through.

That tradeoff might be fine for an occasional invoice. It adds up fast if you invoice weekly and pay a processing fee on every card payment.

Invio: a free plan with saved data

If you want a free plan that saves your clients and does not take a cut of what you are paid, Invio is built for that use case.

• 5 invoices per month on the Starter plan (A$0)
• Unlimited clients and saved details
• Quotes that convert to invoices
• Automatic 10% GST calculation once you add your ABN
• Email invoices and PDF downloads
• Your first 3 payment reminders are free for life, even on Starter

When you outgrow 5 invoices a month, the Pro plan is A$19 per month with unlimited invoices, payment tracking, and unlimited reminders. Pro AI (A$29/mo) adds AI-assisted invoicing, and Growth (A$49/mo) adds multiple businesses under one login. Compare pricing or start free.

Which Invio page should you open?

• Invoicing software for Australian sole traders if you want the broader product fit and upgrade path.
• Free tax invoice template Australia if you just need the document layout.
• Pricing if you want the exact Free vs Pro feature split.

Australian GST requirements (quick overview)

You must register for GST once your turnover reaches, or is projected to reach, A$75,000 in a 12-month period. You have 21 days from reaching that threshold to register with the ATO.

Once you are registered, a tax invoice is required for any sale over A$82.50 (GST-inclusive). The ATO's tax invoice requirements cover 7 pieces of information - notably, a sequential invoice number is not one of them, though it is good practice for your own records:

• That the document is intended to be a tax invoice
• Your identity (business or trading name)
• Your ABN
• The date the invoice was issued
• A brief description of the goods or services sold, including quantity and price
• The GST amount payable, or a statement that the total price includes GST
• The extent to which each sale on the invoice is a taxable sale

For sales of A$1,000 or more, one extra field is required on top of those 7: the buyer's identity or ABN.

If you are not GST-registered, do not add GST to your invoices or claim GST credits. For the full requirements and a worked example, see the tax invoice requirements Australia guide and the ABN invoicing guide. You still lodge and pay GST through your BAS (Business Activity Statement), not a separate GST return.

How to get paid faster

• Be specific with payment terms: "Payment due within 7 days" is clearer than "payment due on completion".
• Itemise the work: Detailed descriptions reduce disputes and speed up approval.
• Send invoices immediately: Send it while the job is still fresh in the client's mind.
• Accept card payments where it makes sense: Giving clients a way to pay by card removes friction, even with a processing fee attached.
• Follow up politely: A short reminder often does the trick, and it is easy to forget when you are busy on the next job.

If a client still will not pay, escalation runs through a written demand first, then your state's tribunal - NCAT in NSW (claims up to A$100,000), VCAT in Victoria, QCAT in Queensland (claims up to A$25,000), and the equivalent in every other state and territory, each with its own claim limit. If the unpaid work is a building or construction job, your state or territory's Security of Payment legislation may also give you a faster path to recover progress payments than going to a tribunal or court. This is general information, not legal advice - for your specific situation, speak with a lawyer or your state's small business commissioner.

Mobile and data security

Most tradies live out of the ute. A cloud tool that works well on mobile keeps the cash flow moving.

Also check how you can export your data. Good software lets you download PDFs and export invoice data so you are not locked in.

Making the final decision

If you only send an invoice occasionally, RosterElf's generator is genuinely free and needs no account. If you already take card payments on site, Square Invoices removes friction for your client at the cost of a processing fee. If you have recurring clients and want your details saved without retyping, an account-based tool like Zoho Invoice or Invio makes more sense.

The most important thing is to stop doing it manually. Professional invoices get you paid faster and keep you compliant.

FAQ

Do I really need Australia-specific invoicing software?

You can use any tool if it lets you show GST correctly, include your ABN, and invoice in AUD, but Australian-focused tools make compliance and formatting easier.

Can I use overseas free software?

You can, but check that it supports 10% GST, an ABN field, and AUD formatting. Many overseas tools default to sales tax or VAT language and will not produce a compliant Australian tax invoice out of the box.

Is Invio's Starter plan really free?

Yes. The Starter plan is A$0 with 5 invoices per month and unlimited clients.

What happens if I exceed the free limit?

You can upgrade to Pro (A$19/mo) for unlimited invoices and unlimited payment reminders (your first 3 are free for life on Starter), or Pro AI (A$29/mo) if you want AI-assisted invoicing.

Can I send invoices from my phone?

Most modern tools are mobile-friendly, and Invio works in mobile browsers. Test the experience on your device before you commit.