Painting Invoice Template Tips For Australian Decorating Businesses

As a painting professional, you'll know that a decorating job isn't finished until the invoicing is done – and the quicker you send your invoices, the faster you're likely to get paid. That's just one reason to use an invoice template that's quick and simple for you to manage.

What needs to be included on my painter and decorator invoice template?

The Australian Government has formal guidelines for invoices issued by small businesses. To comply with Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requirements the following information should be featured on your painting company invoices:

• The heading ‘Tax invoice' (if you're registered for and charge GST)
• The unique invoice number and invoice date
• Your painting business name and/or trading name
• Your ABN (Australian business number)
• Descriptions of the services provided and materials, including quantities
• The GST amount(s) either for each line item or as a whole.

For invoices totalling less than $1,000: if all items listed are subject to 10% GST you can include the tax as a single amount using words such as ‘Total price includes GST’.

For invoices totalling more than $1,000: the GST amount must be featured beside each line item.

Should I be charging GST?

Painting businesses that earn $75,000 or more in any 12-month period (not just the tax year), need to register for goods and services tax (GST). The threshold refers to income, not profit – and if you anticipate passing this milestone during a current financial year, you should register within 21 days of realising that you're approaching it.

Painting business owners who do not have to charge GST can issue simpler painting invoices with the heading 'Invoice' (with no reference to ‘tax’) and words such as 'GST has not been charged'.

How can an invoice template help get me paid faster?

Specific details featured on painting invoice templates can actually help get invoices paid faster – and fast payments are great for cash flow. Whether you're creating your own invoice template or sourcing one from elsewhere (which we cover below), there are a few things worth incorporating that may help speed up payments:

• Address invoices to the name of the person most likely to sign them off
• Feature your contact details (name, mobile number and email address) and words such as ‘Please call or email me if you have any queries'
• Include payment instructions, payment terms and the due date in a prominent position
• Make it as easy as possible for customers to pay you by offering a choice of accepted payment methods (see next section).

You could also consider offering a financial incentive – such as a discount or a coupon for the next job – for prompt payment.

What payment methods might get me paid quicker?

Making the payment process as convenient as possible for your customers may help speed up payments. You could offer a number of options on your painting invoice template, including:

• Bank-to-bank online payments (listing your bank account BSB and account number on your invoices)
• Bank-to-bank transfer using PayID® (featuring just the ABN or mobile number you've registered for the service rather than your bank account details)
• BPAY® if the scale of your business merits applying for an account
• Paying by post with a cheque
• Paying by credit card.

CARD PAYMENTS TIP: A new simple way to take card and mobile wallet payments is to have a mobile app such as Westpac EFTPOS Air on your compatible smartphone or tablet¹.

Where can I get a painting invoice template for my decorating business?

An online search will reveal a variety of sources for a free invoice template in Word, Excel or Google formats. If you use accounting tools such as MYOB and Xero, they may include appropriate invoicing software too.

Just make sure that any painting invoice template you use is specific to Australian businesses and complies with ATO requirements.

Does online invoicing have benefits I should be considering?

Having a professional invoice template that can be managed online has many potential benefits. Depending on the painting invoicing software you use, your business could save time and money in all these ways when invoicing for painting jobs:

• Avoid typing the same customer and product/service details for recurring invoices
• Spend less time manually creating and sending invoices
• Spend less money on paper, printing and postage
• Write and send invoices immediately when on the move
• Link your invoicing with your business bank account
• Spend less time on invoice reconciliation
• Send payment reminders automatically
• Make tax time simpler with everything in one place.