How to Make an Invoice: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide.

5 min. read23.05.2025
By Team Zeller

There’s a lot to think about when starting a business, and how to invoice your clients probably isn’t the most glamorous item on that list. But there’s nothing like getting paid for the first time – and to do that, you’ll need to create an invoice.

If you haven’t done it before, making your first invoice can feel a bit daunting, but don’t worry, it’s easy once you know the basics. 

In this ultimate beginner’s guide, we’ll explain what an invoice is and why they’re important, plus walk you step-by-step through how to create one from scratch. We’ll also discuss why good invoice design matters, and show how purpose-built invoicing software like Zeller Invoices can make the whole process much easier. By the end, you’ll be invoicing like a pro. 

What is an invoice? Understanding the basics for your business.

An invoice is a bill you send to a client for goods or services you’ve provided. It details what was provided, how much is owed, who needs to pay whom, and by when. Invoices create a formal record of a sale – they’re not just paperwork, but a critical part of managing your business’s finances.

Why are invoices so important? For one, they help you get paid. A clear invoice tells your client exactly what to pay and by when, making it more likely you’ll receive payment on time. Proper invoicing also protects your cash flow, helps you maintain accurate records, and ensures you meet your tax obligations​.

If you don’t get your invoicing right, it can result in delays that can seriously impact your business. Research has shown that late payments cost Australian small businesses around $1.1 billion in a year​.

Finally, invoices are often required by law for taxes and accounting. They serve as evidence of income when you file your tax returns or Business Activity Statements. In short, a well-made invoice not only gets you paid faster, it helps keep your business organised and compliant.

How to create an invoice from scratch.

Ready to make your first invoice? Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to create an invoice from scratch. You can use a word processor (like Microsoft Word or Google Docs), a spreadsheet (like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets), or an electronic invoicing solution like Zeller Invoices. The key is to include all the necessary details and present them clearly.

1. Start with your business details: At the top of the invoice, include your business name (or your own name if you’re a sole trader) and contact information. This typically means your address, phone number, and email. If you have a business logo, add it to give the invoice a professional touch. Crucially, add your Australian Business Number (ABN) on the invoice – we’ll explain why this is so important in the next section.

2. Add your client’s information: Next, list the recipient’s details. Include your client’s name (or business name) and their address. For businesses, it’s good practice to include their ABN as well, especially for larger invoices. Including the customer’s details personalises the invoice and ensures it’s clear who is being billed. It also helps you and the client to keep records. Note that if you’re invoicing another business and the total is over $1,000, Australian law actually requires you to include the buyer’s identity or ABN on the invoice​ – and there’s nothing wrong with including both.

3. Assign an invoice number and date: To help you track payments and refer to specific jobs, every invoice should have a unique invoice number, e.g. INV-01, INV-02, etc. Also include the date of issue (the date you’re sending the invoice). Invoice numbers and dates are crucial for record-keeping. They allow you to track your invoices chronologically and are helpful if you need to follow up on unpaid bills or sort out any confusion.

4. Describe the goods or services provided: Provide a clear, itemised list of what you’re billing for. In a simple table or list form, include each product or service, along with a short description, the quantity, and the price for each item or unit. Being specific here is important – it reminds the client exactly what they’re paying for, and prevents misunderstandings.

5. Calculate subtotals and include GST (if applicable): As you’ll see in the example above, you should show the subtotal (the sum of all item prices) and any GST, if applicable, on your invoice. GST is a 10% tax on most goods and services in Australia. You should indicate the amount of GST included in the price or add it on as a separate line. For a Tax Invoice (an invoice that includes GST), you can either list prices as GST-inclusive and note “Total price includes GST”, or show the GST amount for each item or for the subtotal separately​. If you’re not registered for GST, don’t add GST to your prices (it’s illegal), and don’t mark the invoice as a “Tax Invoice”. Instead, just call it an ‘Invoice’. Learn more about GST here.

6. Show the total amount due: This is the bottom-line figure you’re asking the client to pay. It’s usually in bold or otherwise highlighted for clarity. It’s a good idea to add a word like ‘due’ to subtly reinforce that action is required.

7. Specify payment terms and due date: This is a critical part of the invoice. Payment terms tell your client how and when to pay you. Common payment terms for small businesses might be “Payment due 14 days from invoice date” or “Net 30 days” (meaning the client has 30 days to pay). Choose a timeframe that suits your cash flow needs and industry norms – 7, 14, or 30 days are typical for many freelancers and small businesses. Also, do the maths and clearly state the due date by which you expect payment.

Along with the due date, include your accepted payment methods. For example, you might write “Please make payment via bank transfer to the account below” and then provide your bank BSB and account number. If you accept other methods – such as credit or debit card or even cheque – list those options as well. Providing multiple payment options can make it easier for the client to pay promptly.

8. Add any additional notes: Many invoices include a short note or memo at the bottom. This could be a polite ‘thank you’ message, which adds a friendly touch. You might also include any other relevant details here, such as “Please include the invoice number as a reference when making payment”, which is helpful for matching payments to invoices.

Once you’ve added all the above, give your invoice a final proofread. Make sure names are spelled correctly, amounts are right, and nothing is missing. If everything looks good, your invoice is ready to send!

How to simplify your invoicing with Zeller Invoices.

Now you know what goes into an invoice and how to create one, and there’s nothing wrong with using a Word template or an Excel spreadsheet and manually filling in all the details as discussed above. However, there are much faster (and easier) ways to send an invoice. Zeller Invoices is an excellent choice for business owners looking to make invoicing more efficient and get paid faster. In fact, over 75% of Zeller Invoices are paid within just 24 hours.

What is Zeller Invoices?

Zeller Invoices enable you to create and send professional invoices in just a few clicks. Having a free Zeller Account gives you access to this powerful invoicing solution via your computer, or from your smartphone using Zeller App. This means you can generate an invoice from anywhere – super handy for when you’re doing business on the go.

Key benefits of using Zeller Invoices.

Fast, easy invoice creation
With Zeller Invoices, you can create and send polished invoices in seconds thanks to handy features like pre-population of items. You can then track their status from one convenient dashboard, as well as duplicate existing invoices and schedule invoices to be sent on a future date, if needed.

Professional design, effortless compliance
Zeller Invoices has three professional templates for you to choose from, Minimal, Strong and Classic. You can easily add your branding, including your business logo and colours, so your invoices will automatically look clean, professional and tailored to your business.

Invoice on the go
One of the big advantages of Zeller Invoices is that you can use it on your smartphone just as easily as you can on your computer, with all the same functionality. Let’s say you’re a tradie, like a mobile mechanic or a plumber, and you’ve just finished a job for a client. You can simply pull out your phone, tap in the client’s details and send off the invoice before you even leave the site.

Example of a Zeller Invoice
Get paid faster
As mentioned above, over 75% of Zeller Invoices are paid within just 24 hours, because Zeller Invoices make things extremely simple for both you and your clients. When you click ‘Send’ on a Zeller Invoice, your client instantly receives an email or SMS (or both) with a secure payment link. And the moment they pay, you receive an email and push notification.

Automatic invoice tracking and reminders
Ever forgotten to follow up on an invoice? Zeller Invoices makes it easy to see which invoices have been sent, and which have been paid. Even better, you can set up automatic payment reminders to politely remind clients who haven’t paid yet.

All-in-one business tool
Not only is Zeller Invoices free and easy to use, it also gives you instant access to other handy products like a Zeller Business Transaction Account, Zeller Savings Account and Zeller Debit Card. The Zeller product suite is a collection of free, powerful, industry-leading tools designed to make running your business more efficient.

Try Zeller Invoices today.

In short, Zeller Invoices takes the hard work out of invoicing. It ensures your invoices are professional, compliant with Australian requirements, and it helps to get you paid faster. Why not create an account and send yourself a test invoice now?

Let Zeller Invoices get you paid faster.

Learn more

Want to Turn Tables 73% Faster? Introducing Zeller Bill at Table.

Picture this. It’s a busy Friday night and you have a growing line of hungry diners waiting to be seated. You look around the restaurant and can see several tables that have finished their meals and are now trying to catch the eye of a waiter to make the inevitable ‘May we please have the bill?’ gesture. From that point on, a series of steps will typically take place. The waiter will: 1. Head to the POS, print the bill and place it in a billholder 2. Take it to the table for the diners to give it a once over 3. Once the diners have signalled their approval, head back to the POS 4. Return to the table with an EFTPOS machine 5. Process the payment at the table That's five lengthy steps in a best case scenario where the restaurant is already taking payment tableside. If not, it’s even lengthier. This bill-time bottleneck has been slowing table turnover down for years, but thankfully our newest feature Bill at Table is here to change the restaurant payment process for good. What is Bill at Table? Zeller Bill at Table enables you to present your diners with digital, itemised bills displayed on Zeller Terminal's large-format screen, and then accept payment tableside instantly. It helps you to turn tables up to 73% faster from bill request to out-the-door, provide a streamlined diner experience and ultimately increase revenue by seating more tables. Bill at Table works seamlessly with Impos point-of-sale, and makes the checkout process smoother and more rewarding for everyone involved. How does Zeller Bill at Table work? Once enabled, using Bill at Table is simple: Choose a table: On your Zeller Terminal , select the table in your venue from the list. Present the digital bill: Show the itemised bill to your diners on-screen. Process the payment: Diners can pay with their card or mobile device, and even add a tip or split the bill amongst their group. Offer a receipt: If requested, provide the diner with a printed or digital receipt. The diner can also scan the QR code on-screen to download the receipt to their device. This straightforward process combines billing and payment into one step, cutting down wait times and improving the overall experience. What are the benefits of Bill at Table? Bill at Table significantly cuts down the time taken to turn tables at the end of the meal . In fact, restaurants who have implemented Zeller Bill at Table have seen table turnover time slashed by as much as 73% , ultimately enabling them to serve up to three additional tables in every sitting. Take tips tableside with Pay at Table. By using Bill at Table and Pay at Table , patrons are more likely to leave a tip than if they head up to the counter to pay, because as Ben Hickey from The Roosevelt in Potts Point said, “When they get up to pay, the magic is gone”. With the tipping prompt built seamlessly into Zeller Terminal, wait staff don't have to ask the awkward question, ‘Would you like to leave a tip?’ – the system prompts it instead. How to get started with Zeller Bill at Table. Bringing Zeller Bill at Table into your restaurant is easy: Check compatibility: Make sure your venue uses Impos point-of-sale, and that it’s integrated with Zeller. We’ll be bringing Bill at Table to many other POS very soon. If you’d like to see it integrated with yours, please let us know at feedback@myzeller.com Chat with our sales team: They’ll guide you through the steps to getting Bill at Table up and running in your business. Train your staff: Guide your team through the simple process to ensure a smooth implementation. By enabling Bill at Table, your restaurant can improve efficiency and enhance the billing experience for both staff and diners. It’s one of those little things that add up to make a big difference. Say goodbye to frustrated diners and sub-optimal table turnover. Say hello to Zeller Bill at Table.

How Pay at Table with Zeller Terminal Can Boost Your Restaurant Revenue

Our latest payments feature is here and it’s revolutionising the hospitality experience. The payment process is often the Achilles’ heel of many restaurant experiences. How many times have you received the bill, placed your credit card down, and then had to wait another fifteen minutes before being able to finally pay for your meal? Countless. This is because, until now, many restaurants have been hamstrung by a disconnection between their point-of-sale machine and their EFTPOS terminal. The time it takes for a waiter to deliver the bill to the diners, retrieve the payment terminal, return to the table, then round off the table in the POS system , is considerable. Multiply this by the number of tables in the venue and you can easily understand the aforementioned delay. Pay at Table technology is changing that. By centralising the POS and payment process into one device, Pay at Table bridges the gap between tapping or swiping a card, and settling the bill in the system. Read on to understand how this technology works and how it can help turn over tables faster, and ultimately drive revenue for your restaurant. If your restaurant is currently not using a POS system and you value efficiency and improving customer experience, consider exploring the best POS systems for restaurants in Australia . These systems can further streamline your payment process, helping you turn over tables faster and ultimately drive revenue. How does Pay at Table work? Pay at Table is effectively an extension of your POS machine, on your EFTPOS terminal. Waiters pick up Zeller Terminal , view open tables, see total outstanding bills, take payments and close tables — all on one device. Rather than the customer paying at the counter or finalising the bill in the traditional, time-consuming manner, waitstaff can deliver the bill and the mobile payment device, all at the same time. The status of a table is updated in real time and synced across all machines, reducing human error and optimising the whole operation. Benefits of Pay at Table technology 1. Increased efficiency Being able to close a table independently of the POS machine means that the latter isn’t blocked by taking payments, it can instead be used to open and manage tables. Naturally, this reduces foot traffic throughout the venue, eliminates queues, and turns tables over more quickly. Staff are freed up to process orders faster, leading to improved service and ultimately, higher sales. 2. Improved customer satisfaction Leaving customers waiting to pay for their bill can leave a bad taste in the mouth — pun not intended. Zeller Terminal’s Pay at Table functionality makes for a smoother process and offers the added benefit of allowing customers to split the cost by the number of people or by a custom amount . 3. Encourages generous tipping Zeller Terminal comes with a built-in tool which can easily calculate the fair amount for a gratuity and will provide the customer with various tipping options to choose from. Displayed clearly for your customers to review, this feature can increase your server’s tip earnings and erase confusion surrounding tipping protocol. Zeller Terminal makes it as easy as possible to prompt your customers to leave a tip, either as a percentage of the purchase amount or a custom amount. Or, you can switch the functionality off altogether. 4. Helps build a customer relationship When wait staff use Pay at Table, an opportunity is provided to spend more time interacting with the customers, ensuring they’ve had a great dining experience in your establishment. The technology also means you can email digital receipts on the spot. Not only is this handy for your customer’s record-keeping and to reduce costs and waste associated with paper receipts, but it’s a great way to expand your customer database by capturing email addresses. You may be able to use these details to keep in touch with your diners, providing them with up-to-date news and special offers that will keep them coming back to your restaurant. 5. Safer transactions Payment security is front of mind for most consumers these days. By having a mobile payment device available, your customer’s card remains in their possession at all times. This offers them security knowing that no one else has had access to their card details or identity. It can also mean fewer chargebacks for your business to handle. The next generation of payment processing Pay at Table is just one example of the many ways that traditional payments are evolving to keep up with the times. New technology is affording us more flexibility to create industry-specific solutions while emerging trends are changing the way we pay. Get started with Pay at Table today Pay at Table is currently available to use with selected POS systems. Contact our Sales Team to learn more about installing Pay at Table on your Zeller Terminals today. 

Introducing Zeller Invoices – online invoicing software that gets you paid faster

Smarter invoicing software designed for any business. Online invoicing is an essential part of running any type of business, but it can sometimes be a source of stress and frustration. If it’s time to upgrade from sending invoices manually, or if your business is looking to streamline how you track and manage late invoice payments, you’re not alone. What if there was a free, simple-to-use online invoicing software that streamlines invoicing and helps you get paid faster? Introducing Zeller Invoices . With Zeller Invoices, you can create and send professional online invoices in seconds from anywhere. From there, it’s simple to track and manage every invoice from one convenient online dashboard. Whether you're a restaurant owner issuing an invoice for an event deposit; a tradesperson sending invoices to collect payment for work completed; a wholesaler supplying goods to a chain of retail businesses on a recurring basis; or a freelance designer sending invoices to multiple clients  — Zeller Invoices lets you take control of your invoicing from start to finish. Powerful invoicing features Read on to discover how Zeller Invoices works — and what features are under the hood to help save you time, and reduce late payments. Create an online invoice in seconds With Zeller’s online invoicing software, you can create and send as many online invoices as you like for free. You can start the invoice creation process in your Zeller Account in the “ Invoices” tab of the menu bar — you’ll be guided through a step-by-step creation of your first invoice, from attaching a contact (a customer, business or supplier) to your invoice from Zeller Contact Directory , through to adding items and the requisite price, adding a due date, and then hitting send. You can even choose to schedule a specific date in the future for your Zeller Invoices to be sent. If you need to make changes to an invoice, you can easily edit, duplicate or cancel the invoice if required. You can even check a PDF preview of your Zeller Invoices to see how they will look to the recipient before you send them. For detailed steps on creating and sending a Zeller Invoice, follow this guide in the Zeller Support Centre. Accept invoice payments online Every Zeller Invoice can be paid online via Zeller’s secure online payment gateway. Customers can select to pay the invoice online via Visa, Mastercard, American Express or JCB for one low, flat rate . There are no monthly subscription fees to use Zeller Invoices either — you’re only charged if a customer selects to pay their invoice online using Zeller’s online payment gateway. Invoices that are paid online will be settled to your linked Zeller Transaction Account nightly or the next business day to third-party bank accounts. For business owners who don’t have a physical location — such as a freelancer or mobile service provider —online payments are an easier way to ensure you’re getting paid faster, without having to meet in person or chase up cash payments or direct deposits. Streamline invoice creation with item management When creating an invoice with Zeller, you can choose to add one-off line items for goods or services sold. Alternatively, you can create a list of goods or services you sell frequently in your new item management service. Saved items can then be quickly added to future invoices sent. Within item management, you can choose to customise GST preferences or apply discounts for a percentage or dollar amount by item, that reflect your business’ pricing and individual scenarios with different customers. Item management is particularly handy for businesses that regularly sell the same products or services, such as an accountant offering a standard consultation fee, or a wholesaler with a standard purchase price on goods sold to retailers. By saving each item in your item management library, future invoice creation will be much faster. Automate reminders to prompt payment With data from Accenture and Xero estimating a $1.1 billion cost to Australian small businesses as a result of invoice payment delays, it’s essential that business owners are enlisting the right online invoicing software that reduces the impact of late payments on their business. Zeller Invoices enables you to schedule automated reminders to be sent to invoice recipients before, on, and after the invoice due date. A gentle reminder to your customer that payment is due will drive urgency towards payments, combined with the ability to automate reminders which also minimises impact on your busy schedule. You can also choose to send your own manual reminders, or edit reminders for a specific invoice or contact, in just a few clicks, too. Track payment status When you’re busy focusing on running and growing your business, it’s easy to forget the payment status of every invoice sent. Zeller Invoices makes tracking invoice status easier with a built-in activity timeline and next-action prompts. Your invoice activity timeline provides you with a chronological list of all the actions taken on an invoice, including creation, send and payment dates. At a glance, this log shows you detailed information about each action, such as the date and time, which employee performed the action and any added notes or comments — giving you complete visibility over the actions taken to get the invoice paid. With the next action prompts embedded within the activity timeline, you can quickly take action on an invoice; such as sending a reminder or marking it as paid in the event your client made payment outside of Zeller’s online payment gateway. Personalise your invoices Looking professional is paramount for any growing business — and that’s just as important when you’re invoicing, too. With Zeller Invoices, you can add your business logo to your PDF invoice, online payment page, and payment receipt. Adding your logo ensures that your business looks professional, and will make a strong and positive brand impression on your customers. With more invoice customisation coming soon to Zeller Invoices, you’ll always feel confident knowing your business is putting its best foot forward. See all of your business finances in one place with Zeller With the introduction of Zeller Invoices, businesses can now pick and choose from a range of different financial products to suit their business needs. By using the Zeller ecosystem to manage everything from EFTPOS and invoicing, to accounts and cards, you'll soon see a complete, 360-degree view of your cash flow from your Zeller Dashboard. By utilising Zeller Contact Directory to assign invoices, payments and transactions to customers and suppliers you regularly do business with you’ll also gain a stronger understanding of where you’re spending, and who with — to help you do everything from negotiating more favourable payment terms to identifying your best customers. By combining all of your financial solutions within your Zeller Account, you’ll get a better grasp on your business finances as well as be able to make more informed business decisions. Get started with Zeller Invoices today If you’re new to Zeller, sign up for your free Zeller Account online today to access Zeller Invoices. It’s free to sign up for and can be done online in minutes. There are no monthly subscription fees to use Zeller Invoices, either. If you already have an existing Zeller Account, Zeller Invoices is now available for you to try in your Zeller Dashboard. Log in today to send your first invoice. You can also check out Free Invoice Generator if you want to find

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