A plumbing invoice app for plumbers who work on their own

What a plumbing invoice needs in Australia

If you're registered for GST, the ATO says a tax invoice must show enough to work out:

1. That it's a tax invoice (the words "Tax invoice" at the top do this)
2. Your business name
3. Your ABN
4. The date you issued it
5. What you did or supplied, with the quantity and price
6. The GST amount (or "Total price includes GST" when GST is exactly 1/11 of the total)
7. Which parts of the sale have GST on them

For sales of $1,000 or more, it must also show the customer's name or ABN. A hot water service job often goes over that line, so put the customer's name on every invoice and you're covered.

If a customer asks for a tax invoice, you have to give them one within 28 days (unless the sale is $82.50 or less, including GST).

Source: ATO, Tax invoices

Your licence number. In Queensland, the QBCC says your licence number must be on your plumbing ads and contracts. Other states have their own rules, so check with your state's plumbing regulator. (Source: QBCC, Key information for licensees and home owners) Add your licence number to your invoice footer once, so it prints on every quote and invoice. It's free on every plan.

Want a blank version? Use the free GST invoice template for Australia.

Three plumbing jobs, invoiced

All prices below are EXAMPLE figures to show the maths. They are not market rates. Use your own.

Job 1: Blocked drain, after hours (EXAMPLE)

A customer calls at 7:30pm on a Tuesday. The kitchen drain is backing up. You clear it with the jetter and replace a cracked bit of 25mm PVC under the sink.

Why it's set out this way: the customer sees the call-out, the time, the machine and the part on separate lines. Nobody has to ask "what's the $754 for?"

Job 2: Hot water service replacement, over $1,000 (EXAMPLE)

A 250-litre electric hot water service has died. You supply and fit a new one, add a tempering valve, and take the old unit away.

Bill to: Sam Nguyen, 12 Example St, Preston VIC 3072 (needed because the sale is $1,000 or more)

A big job like this is a good time to ask for a deposit before you order the unit. Invoice Better handles deposits and upfront payments.

Job 3: Dripping tap and a burst flexi hose (EXAMPLE)

A quick daytime job. You re-washer a kitchen tap and swap a burst flexi hose under the vanity.

Small jobs are where money leaks. If you write it up at the kitchen table that night, the $6.50 washer and the half hour are the first things to go missing.

Set your plumbing prices once

Load the plumber starter pack in one tap, then change any price to match yours. After that, every job is a few taps. Starter packs are free and don't count toward the 3 saved price-list items on the free plan.

EXAMPLE price list (your rates will differ):

You can price by the hour, the metre, the unit or the job. The app does the maths and adds the GST. Need a starting point? Grab the free tradie price list template.

From first call to "invoice landed"

1. You quote. Tap your call-out, labour and parts. Send the quote as a PDF.
2. They say yes. The approved quote becomes the tax invoice in one tap. No retyping.
3. You send it on the spot. Your ABN, BSB and PayID are already on it.
4. Invoice landed. When the money hits your account, tick it paid. You'll see a little win on screen, and the job moves from Sent to Paid.

Bonus: your free quote page. Put the QR code on the van. Customers can scan it and send you a job request. (Quote page: Australia and New Zealand. Needs a free sign-in. Invoicing works without it.)

No signal under the house? It still works

Plumbing happens in sub-floors, roof spaces and plant rooms. Invoice Better keeps your customers, prices and invoices on your phone, and you don't need an account to invoice. Write the invoice and make the PDF with zero bars. Send it when you're back in range. More on offline invoicing.

Just got your plumbing licence and not registered for GST yet?

If your GST turnover is under $75,000 a year, you don't have to register for GST (ATO, Registering for GST). Switch GST off and Invoice Better sends a plain invoice, without "Tax invoice" or GST on it. When you register, switch it back on.

When you need ServiceM8, Tradify or Fergus instead

If you have apprentices or other plumbers on the road, you probably need a job management app. ServiceM8, Tradify and Fergus are built for that. They cover things Invoice Better doesn't, like:

• Booking jobs and dispatching them to your team
• Staff timesheets and job costing
• Repeat jobs and recurring invoices for maintenance contracts
• Direct sync with Xero or MYOB

They're priced for businesses that use those features. Check their sites for current plans.

Invoice Better is for the plumber who does the job themselves and just wants the paperwork done before the van door shuts. You can still export your invoices to CSV for Xero, MYOB or your bookkeeper at BAS time.

Comparing apps? See how Invoice Better stacks up against Tradify and others on our tradie invoicing app comparison.

What it costs

• Free: up to 3 clients, 5 invoices sent a month and 3 saved price-list items. Starter packs are free and don't count toward the 3 items. No account, no credit card.
• Premium: unlimited clients, invoices and saved price-list items, your own logo, and no Invoice Better name on your PDFs.
• Premium Monthly: A$7.99 a month
• Premium Yearly: A$59.99 a year
• Premium Lifetime: A$79.99 once

Prices include GST, as listed on the Australian App Store. Cancel any time in your Apple settings.