Guides for Aussie tradies
Straight-talking answers to the money and admin stuff that eats your evenings — pricing, GST, invoicing and getting paid. Each one pairs with a free tool.
How much GST do I charge as a tradie?
The 10% rate, the $75k threshold, and how to add GST to your quotes — in plain English.
Read the guideWhat should my hourly rate be?
Most tradies charge well under their real rate. Here is how to work out the number you actually need.
Read the guideHow to price a job (materials + labour + margin)
One repeatable method so every quote covers your costs and turns a profit.
Read the guideHow to chase an unpaid invoice (without being a jerk)
The polite-to-firm escalation that gets you paid without torching the relationship.
Read the guideWhat markup should I charge on materials?
A fair markup range, why you charge it, and the markup vs margin trap that quietly costs you money.
Read the guideWhat to put on a tradie invoice (legal must-haves)
The ATO tax-invoice rules, the details that get you paid faster, and a free template.
Read the guideHow to write a quote that wins the job
Speed, clarity and the small touches that make customers pick you — not just the cheapest price.
Read the guideWhat should you charge out an apprentice at?
The true cost of a second set of hands, why you charge them out, and how to land on a fair, profitable rate.
Read the guideHow to calculate your break-even hourly rate
The number you must charge just to cover costs — before a cent of profit. Know it and never lose money on a job.
Read the guideCan I charge late fees on overdue invoices?
When late fees and interest are enforceable in Australia, how much is fair, and how to word your terms.
Read the guideQuote vs estimate — what's the difference?
A quote is a fixed price you can be held to; an estimate is a guess. Mixing them up can cost you.
Read the guideWhy you're losing jobs to slower quotes
The first professional quote a customer receives wins most of the time. Here is how to always be that tradie.
Read the guideHow to follow up a quote without being annoying
Two polite touches at the right time win 15–20% more jobs. Here is the exact timing, wording and system.
Read the guideFixed price vs time & materials — which to quote?
When to lock in a number, when to charge hourly, and how to protect yourself either way.
Read the guideHow much time do tradies waste on admin?
The average tradie burns hours a week on quotes, invoices and chasing — here’s what it’s really costing you.
Read the guideSole trader vs company — which structure?
Tax, liability, cost and paperwork compared, so you can pick the right setup for your trade business.
Read the guideBAS explained for tradies (what, when, how much)
What a Business Activity Statement is, when it’s due, and how to work out what you owe without the panic.
Read the guideTax deductions every Aussie tradie should claim
Tools, vehicle, phone, home office and more — the deductions tradies miss and how to keep the receipts.
Read the guideDo I need to register for GST as a sole trader?
The $75,000 threshold explained in plain English — when you must register, when to do it early, and what changes.
Read the guideInvoice payment terms — 7, 14 or 30 days?
The number on your invoice decides how long you wait for your money. How to pick terms that get you paid faster.
Read the guideDeposit vs progress payments — how to structure them
Stop funding jobs out of your own pocket. How to set a deposit and stage payments so cash comes in from day one.
Read the guideClient won't pay? Your options before going legal
The calm, staged plan — reminder, letter of demand, tribunal — for recovering an unpaid invoice without burning money on lawyers.
Read the guideWHS obligations for trade businesses in Australia
Your legal safety duties as a PCBU, the NSW 2026 code changes, and what the fines actually look like — without the jargon.
Read the guideTradie insurance — what do you actually need?
Public liability, workers comp, tool cover, income protection — which policies matter, what they cost, and what you can skip.
Read the guideSubcontractor vs employee — ATO rules for tradies
The test the ATO actually uses, the super trap, sham contracting penalties, and how to structure it properly.
Read the guideHow to hire your first apprentice
Finding candidates, the training contract, GTO vs direct hire, wages, and government incentives that offset the cost.
Read the guideHow to manage subcontractors without the headaches
Finding good subbies, written agreements, site inductions, paying on time, and the compliance that trips tradies up.
Read the guidePrefer to just use the tools?
All our free tradie tools live in one spot — no signup needed.
Browse the free tools