What should a trade progress invoice include?

Start with what the contract says

Business.gov.au says a progress-payment contract should state when each payment is due, the instalment dates or milestone that triggers it, how much is paid at each stage and what counts as acceptable work. For building and construction it says to check stage payment rules with the relevant state or territory building authority or industry association. This guide gives no deposit or stage limits.

Sources[1]

What the invoice must show

A tax invoice must contain enough information to identify the seller and ABN, issue date, items and prices, GST payable and which sales are taxable, and show that it is intended as a tax invoice. The GST amount can be stated separately or, when it is exactly one-eleventh of the total, with a statement that the total includes GST. For sales of $1,000 or more, also identify the buyer or their ABN. Check any extra contract requirements, such as the milestone achieved.

Sources[4][1]

Hypothetical claim tracker

Assume a $22,000 contract price including GST. Stage amounts always come from your contract, not from this example.

Sources[1]

Progress invoice you can copy

Replace every square bracket. Show approved variations as separate lines with their reference. Before sending, check that total claimed to date equals earlier claims plus this claim, and never exceeds the contract price plus approved variations. This is our own layout, not a statutory payment claim. Whether a document works as one depends on your state, so see the state payment claim guides.

TAX INVOICE (progress claim [no.])
[Business name] | ABN [ABN]
Invoice number: [INV-0000]   Issue date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
To: [customer name or ABN]
Contract or quote reference: [ref and date]   Site: [address]

Stage or milestone claimed: [stage name as in the contract]
Work completed: [description, date, photo or inspection reference]
Contract price (GST inclusive): $[amount]
Approved variations to date (reference): $[amount]
Total claimed to date, including this claim: $[amount]
Earlier claims total: $[amount]   Paid so far: $[amount]
This claim: $[amount] (includes GST of $[amount])
Balance of contract after this claim: $[amount]

Payment due: [date or term as agreed in the contract]
How to pay: [bank details or payment link]
Questions: [name, phone, email]

Sources[2][1]

Common questions

What is legally required on an invoice in Australia?

For a taxable sale, a tax invoice needs the seller's identity and ABN, issue date, description and prices, GST information and the extent to which the sales are taxable. Sales of $1,000 or more also need the buyer's identity or ABN. A business that is not registered for GST uses an ordinary invoice; check any separate contract or industry requirements.[4][2][1]

How to make progress billing?

Agree the stages, amounts and what counts as acceptable work in the contract. Then claim only what each agreed milestone covers, and show earlier claims and payments on each invoice. Check state or territory rules for stage payments in building work.[1]