Guides
Practical guides for running your trade.
Plain, no-nonsense answers to the everyday questions of running a trade business in Australia. No jargon, no fluff.
The card surcharge ban starts 1 October. What tradies need to do
From 1 October 2026 you can't add a card surcharge to a Visa, Mastercard, eftpos or Amex payment, on the terminal or on an invoice link. What the rule covers, what it doesn't, what it will cost you, and the plain way to cover it.
Read guide →How much deposit can a tradie ask for in Australia?
A plain guide to deposits for Australian trades: how much is reasonable, when to ask, the rules to know, and the easy way to actually collect one.
Read guide →What to put on a tradie invoice in Australia
Exactly what a trade invoice needs in Australia: the must-have details, tax invoice and GST rules, and a few tricks to get paid faster.
Read guide →How to take bookings online for your trade business
Stop playing phone tag. How to let customers book your trade jobs online, what a good booking form asks, and how to turn enquiries into paid work.
Read guide →How to write a quote that wins the job
A plain guide to quoting for Australian trades: what to include, how to present it, how to price with confidence, and how to make it easy for customers to say yes.
Read guide →How to get paid faster as a tradie
Practical ways Australian tradies can get paid faster: invoice on the spot, make paying easy, take deposits, set clear terms, and chase politely without the awkwardness.
Read guide →GST and BAS basics for Australian tradies
A plain-English guide to GST and BAS for Australian trades: when you must register, what GST means for your invoices, what a BAS is, and how to keep it simple.
Read guide →Do I need an ABN to work as a tradie in Australia?
Do you need an ABN to work as a tradie in Australia? What an ABN is, who needs one, the 47% no-ABN withholding, and how to apply for free with the ABR.
Read guide →Sole trader vs company for tradies: which is right for you?
Sole trader vs company (Pty Ltd) for a trade business in Australia: how each works, and the real differences in tax, liability, cost and admin.
Read guide →How much should a tradie charge per hour in Australia?
Why your charge-out rate is not your wage, what it has to cover, the ranges you will hear, and how to work out an hourly rate that actually pays you.
Read guide →Public liability insurance for tradies in Australia
A plain guide to public liability insurance for Australian tradies: what it covers, why clients and sites ask for it, common cover levels, and other cover worth having.
Read guide →What can a tradie claim at tax time in Australia?
A plain guide to what Australian tradies commonly claim at tax time: tools, vehicle, phone, gear, insurance and more, plus the records that make it painless.
Read guide →How to price a job and mark up materials
A plain guide to pricing a trade job in Australia: labour, materials and margin, why a materials markup is normal, typical ranges, and how to actually profit.
Read guide →End of financial year checklist for Australian tradies
A plain EOFY checklist for Australian tradies: chase unpaid invoices, round up receipts, log your km, reconcile income, sort GST, and prep for your accountant.
Read guide →How to get more work as a tradie
Practical ways Australian tradies win more jobs: a Google Business Profile, reviews, a booking page you can share anywhere, fast replies and referrals.
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