Give your retail EFTPOS a boost.

For Australian businesses, choosing the right business bank account isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. Between traditional banks, online-only challengers, and modern fintech alternatives like Zeller, the options are broader than ever – and more confusing. This guide compares some of the top options in Australia, from the Big Four to rising digital banking platforms, so you can choose the right account for your needs, whether you're a sole trader, freelancer, small business or scaling company. Understanding business bank accounts: what they are and why they're essential. A business bank account isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a key part of running a compliant, professional and scalable operation. Here’s why you need one: Legal and tax compliance : If you're registered for GST or operate as a company, you’ll need a dedicated account for your business transactions. Simplified admin : Separating personal and business finances makes reconciling income, preparing for BAS, and managing deductions far easier. Professionalism : Customers take you more seriously, and are more likely to trust your business, when invoices and payments come from a business bank account. Cash flow control : Monitor your business incomings and outgoings more clearly to make faster decisions. Access to finance : It’s typically a requirement for business loans, overdrafts, business credit cards, and trade accounts. Types of business bank accounts in Australia. In Australia, there are a few core types of business accounts on offer, such as: Transaction accounts : Your day-to-day account for receiving payments, making purchases, paying suppliers. Savings accounts : For earning interest on unused business funds. Term deposits : Lock away funds for a set time to earn higher interest. Offset accounts : Linked to a business loan, helping reduce interest payments. Key factors to consider when choosing a business bank account. Fees Monthly fees, overdraft fees, dishonour fees, and FX costs can vary widely amongst business banks. For example: – Traditional banks may charge $10-$25/month just to keep the account open– Overdraft fees can be surprisingly high and feel unnecessarily punitive– International payments might include conversion fees or transfer costs– Staff-assisted transactions and even electronic transactions can also incur more fees This last point is worth illustrating with two examples: 1. CommBank charges $5 per staff-assisted transaction on business accounts 2.  Bendigo Bank charges $0.40 per electronic transaction on their Business Basic Account In contrast, Zeller Business Transaction Account has no fees whatsoever . For small businesses, especially those just starting out, these savings can quickly add up. Access and convenience In business, time is money. You’ll want an account that’s easy to use and built for purpose. Consider things like: – Does the online banking interface have a clean, modern design? – Does it have powerful transaction filtering and searching? – Is the mobile app easy to use on the go? ( Zeller App is rated 4.2 on the App Store) – Can you access help when you need it? (Zeller offers 24/7 online access and support) More businesses are moving away from needing face-to-face banking and instead placing higher value on mobile-first platforms that work wherever they are. Account features Choosing a business account isn’t just about the basics. The right features can save you time, reduce admin, and give you more control over how your business operates. For example, a Zeller Business Transaction Account offers you: Cards: Zeller lets you issue unlimited free physical and virtual debit cards with custom spending limits. You can also generate single-use virtual cards for added security when shopping online. Multi-user access: Give team members custom access, so they can view balances, send invoices or manage cards, without full account control. Integrations: You can easily connect your Zeller Business Transaction Account to tools like Xero for easy bookkeeping. Reporting: Built-in analytics, spending breakdowns, and receipt capture with Zeller. Access to interest: A Zeller Savings Account allows you to earn significantly more interest than with a traditional big-4 bank. Transaction categorisation: Automatically sort and label incoming and outgoing payments, helping you track spending by type, supplier or category. Multiple accounts: Spin up extra accounts for different projects, teams or business locations – no paperwork or branch visit required. Real-time fund transfers: Move money instantly via Australia's New Payment Platform (NPP). BPAY: Quickly and easily pay suppliers directly from your dashboard using BPAY. Security and regulation Traditional banks are Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (ADIs), so deposits are protected by the Financial Claims Scheme (FCS), a government guarantee of up to $250,000 if the bank was to fail. With Zeller, customer funds are held in a segregated account at a fully-regulated, authorised Australian bank. Zeller also maintains strict compliance protocols, and uses advanced encryption, fraud monitoring and multi-factor authentication to keep your business finances secure. For many modern businesses, the benefits of speed, flexibility and innovation make this a smart, secure, and trusted alternative to traditional banking. Customer support Zeller offers 24/7 customer support via phone, email and SMS – so whether you need help setting up your account, have a question about a transaction, or are sorting something urgent during tax time, you can speak to someone when it matters most. Unlike many traditional providers, support isn't limited to business hours or ticket-based systems, you’ll speak to a real human with experience in supporting Aussie businesses. Suitability for your business type Every business is different. The right account for your business should suit your operating model, whether you're client-facing, retail-based, or remote. For example: Sole traders/freelancers often prioritise ease of use and low fees Growing businesses typically look for multi-user access, cards, and integrations Retailers/tradies frequently find POS and EFTPOS integration can make a huge difference International traders need strong FX capabilities and multi-currency accounts. Compare top Australian business accounts to see why Zeller Transaction Account stands out. As you can see from the table above, Zeller either matches or beats the big-4 banks in almost every area. Traditional banks like CommBank, NAB, Westpac and ANZ each offer business accounts with in-branch service, cash handling and international payment features. While these can suit businesses that still rely on physical banking, they often come with higher monthly fees and less flexible digital tools. The two limitations to a Zeller Business Transaction Account are depositing cash and multi-currency accounts. Zeller merchants typically overcome this by: – keeping a separate bank account with a traditional bank for the sole purpose of depositing cash, then sending the money directly to their Zeller Business Transaction Account – keeping international currencies with another provider (like Wise or Airwallex).   Note: Zeller is working towards offering multi-currency accounts, so watch this space! Real-world examples: who should choose what? Not every business needs the same thing from their transaction account. Here are a few common scenarios to help you match features to your business type. Tradie on the road Zeller’s mobile-first setup, SMS invoicing and no-branch model means you can quote, invoice and track payments without ever setting foot in a bank. Freelancer with local clients Zeller gives you all the essentials with no monthly cost, plus faster access to funds to keep your cash flow healthy. Import/export business Wise and Airwallex make more sense here, with multi-currency accounts and competitive FX. Zeller does not currently offer multi-currency accounts yet, but has plans to do so in the future. Brick and mortar retailer Zeller integrates with EFTPOS and provides detailed sales tracking across channels. How to open a business account in Australia. Opening a business account in Australia is fairly straightforward, but exact requirements can vary slightly between providers. Here’s what to expect. In most cases, you’ll need: – A business name – An ABN or ACN – An industry type – Personal ID (driver licence or passport) – Business contact details – In some cases, business structure documentation (e.g. partnership agreement) With Zeller, the process is 100% online and takes just a few minutes. No paperwork. No queues. Just fast onboarding and instant access to your transaction account and cards. Managing your business account effectively. Once you’ve opened your account, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of it: Separate personal and business spending so your bookkeeping is cleaner and reconciling transactions is easier come tax time. Use categories and tags to track expenses by type – this helps you understand where your money’s going and identify areas to reduce spend. Review reports monthly to spot trends, catch anomalies, and stay on top of cash flow. Set up automatic payments to ensure bills, wages and subscriptions are always paid on time. Stay on top of GST and BAS by regularly exporting your records, so you’re never scrambling at lodgement time. Zeller makes all this easy, with built-in notes, digital receipts, auto-categorisation and integrations that connect your financial activity directly to your accounting software. So, which account is right for your business? The best business account depends on your priorities, but if you're an Australian business looking for a modern, mobile-first, all-in-one platform that’s free to use, integrates with your tools, and helps you manage everything from invoicing to spending, Zeller offers a strong alternative to the big-4 Australian banks. A Zeller Business Transaction Account is fast to set up, simple to use, and purpose-built for how Aussie businesses operate.

With tax time almost upon us, we caught up with Lloyd Richardson , CEO of Jim’s Tax and a Fellow CPA, to get his perspective on what small business owners need to keep in mind as the end of the financial year approaches. Lloyd has spent more than 40 years in the accounting world – he grew up in the industry, took over his father’s practice, and now heads up a 60-strong network of tax agents and bookkeepers across the country, so you could say he knows a thing or two about tax.  Read on to learn his practical, no-nonsense advice for small business owners looking to get the most out of this end of financial year.  Preparing your small business for EOFY tax. Question: How far in advance should small businesses start preparing for EOFY? Answer: Small business owners generally prepare BAS statements quarterly, and that’s when you should be thinking about your end-of-year tax too. A good bookkeeper will prep your financials quarterly and refer them to a tax agent, who can then estimate your tax position. It’s always better to plan early, but a lot of businesses wait until June and panic. You need a proactive bookkeeper. A Jim’s bookkeeper is trained to handle this, and then your tax agent (hopefully also a Jim’s Tax person!) will review it at tax time. But at a minimum, your accounts should be updated quarterly. Key financial documents for EOFY tax. Question: What key documents or reports should small businesses have ready? Answer: Importantly, you need a profit and loss statement and a balance sheet, ideally on an accrual basis. These help determine profitability based on your business structure – whether you’re a sole trader, partnership, trust or company.  Remember that GST is typically calculated on a cash basis – money in, money out. But small business tax is done on an accrual basis – what’s been invoiced. That’s why it’s so important to know whether you’re reporting on a cash or accrual basis, it affects when income is counted. You should have your financials up to date by the end of March. Then in early June you can sit down and ask yourself (and your tax agent), “What’s my profitability up to March? How much have I earned in April and May, and what can I do before June 30 to legally minimise tax?” Common EOFY tax deductions and overlooked claims.  Question: Are there any deductions or claims that often get overlooked? Answer: There are two sides to EOFY planning – income and expenses. On the expenses side, look at your debtors. Write off bad debts before 30 June or you’ll be taxed on them. Check your depreciation schedule too – sometimes there’s old plant and equipment that’s been written off or no longer exists. Write it off and claim the deduction. Also, pay expenses before the end of June and delay income if you can. For example, if I finish a job on 29 June, I might not invoice until 1 July (subject to cash flow, of course) and that pushes the tax into the next year. EOFY tax tips by business structure (sole trader, company, trust). Question: What steps should sole traders take that might differ from those with staff or a company structure? Answer: Sole traders pay tax on net profit. Super isn’t compulsory for sole traders, which catches people out. You can contribute up to $30,000 into super and claim it as a deduction – taxed at 15% in super instead of up to 47%. Companies should keep an eye on debit loans – directors drawing from the company. You’ve got to sort those before EOFY or they’ll be taxed as unfranked dividends. Directors can also contribute to their super – up to $30k per director) – and if you haven’t used your full contribution cap in the last five years, you can add more. If you’ve got staff and your pay run starts 1 July, consider paying it early on 30 June so you can claim the deduction this year. You can pay expenses up to 12 months in advance. And if you buy plant and equipment under $20k and receive it before 30 June, you can write off 100% of it. Over $20k, you have to depreciate it. 2025 ATO guidance for small businesses at EOFY. Question: Have you seen any recent changes in ATO guidance that business owners should be across Answer: The ATO is focused on trusts this year. If you operate through a family trust, make sure your distribution minutes are done before 30 June to allocate profit to beneficiaries. If not, the whole lot could be taxed at up to 47%. Be careful with trust distributions to companies too, that’s under scrutiny. If you’re in a company, sort out your debit loans before EOFY. If you don’t, they might be taxed as income. Super and wage adjustments can help, but don’t go throwing around massive bonuses, your structure has to support it. Overcoming EOFY tax stress. Question: For business owners who feel overwhelmed by EOFY, what’s your advice? Answer: Talk to a Jim’s Tax agent. The first step is getting your accounts up to date, at least to March, so you’ve got a clear idea of where you stand. What’s your actual net profit? What tax is payable? What’s already been paid through your BAS? Once you know those numbers, the fear factor drops and you can take action if needed. A lot of people get overwhelmed because they don’t have the right info in front of them. If your books are a mess, EOFY can feel like a mountain. But if you’ve kept things tidy through the year, or get someone to help you sort it out now, it becomes much more manageable. I do the same process in my own business – I check receivables and payables, think about super, and look at expenses I might bring forward. Also, another big benefit of using a tax agent is that your return can be lodged as late as May or June the following year. If you’re not using a tax agent, it’s due by the end of October.   Reviewing business performance at EOFY. Question: What should business owners be asking themselves (or their advisors) when reviewing the past financial year? Answer: Start by getting your accounts up to date – that’s non-negotiable. Then ask the basics: “What’s my net profit? How much tax is payable? What have I already paid?” Once you’ve got those answers, the next question is “What can I do before 30 June to reduce my tax?” That’s the conversation you want to be having with your tax agent. EOFY is also a good time to reflect on what went well and what didn’t go so well over the past 12 months. Were your margins healthy? Are you on top of your cash flow? Is your structure still the right fit? Those kinds of questions can lead to smarter decisions for the year ahead. Quick 2025 EOFY tax wins for small businesses. Question: What are some quick wins business owners can take in the final month of the financial year? Answer: Pay super before June 30, that’s a big one. If you’ve run a payroll and you know what super is owed, pay it a few business days before 30 June so it lands in the fund on time – then you can claim the deduction this year. If you miss the cut-off, you can’t claim it until next year, even if you pay it in early July. Delay income where it makes sense, bring expenses forward where possible and write off bad debts. Review your depreciation schedule — if you’ve bought any assets under $20k and started using them before 30 June, you can claim the full deduction this year. It’s not about magic tricks, it’s about good management. The small things can make a big difference when they’re done right and done on time. Business restructuring or system changes at 2025 EOFY. Question: Should business owners consider restructuring, changing systems or adjusting payment schedules at EOFY? Answer: If you’re thinking about changing structure, say from sole trader to company or trust, EOFY is the time to do it. You can wrap things up neatly on 30 June and start fresh on 1 July. It’s much easier from a bookkeeping and reporting point of view, otherwise you’re dealing with a crossover year, and that just creates more complexity. The same goes for system changes. If you’re switching accounting software, or introducing a new payroll or invoicing system, 1 July is a clean starting point.  EOFY is a natural point to review how your business is running. If something’s not working, now’s the time to make a change, but always get advice first so you’re not creating a bigger headache down the track.

For many Australian businesses, invoicing is still a time-consuming, manual task – even in 2025. Whether it’s creating Word or Excel templates, chasing late payments, or staying on top of GST and BAS obligations, invoicing can quickly turn into a mess of paperwork and frustration. But the right invoicing software doesn’t just make it easier to send professional invoices. It helps you get paid faster, improves your cash flow, reduces errors, and saves you hours each week. It also gives your customers more convenient ways to pay and makes your business look more polished and trustworthy. This guide compares some of the top invoicing software options for Australian small businesses, freelancers, sole traders and tradies, with a close look at how Zeller stacks up as an all-in-one solution. Use the table below to see how Zeller Invoices stacks up against other popular invoicing tools. Why your Australian business needs invoicing software. Whether you’re a plumber, graphic designer, or running a café, invoicing is at the heart of your business operations. Invoicing isn’t just a box to tick, it's one of the most important touchpoints between you and your customers. Here’s why switching to proper invoicing software is a smart move: Get paid faster : Offer an instant, secure payment option and reduce the back-and-forth Easier for your customers: Save your customers from having to manually transfer funds Look more professional : Send polished, branded invoices in a few clicks Save time : Automate invoice payment reminders, recurring invoices, and more Stay compliant : Automatically handle GST to help you prepare for BAS Track everything : See who’s paid, who hasn’t, and what’s overdue Work on the go : Create and send invoices from your phone or tablet By choosing the right invoicing tool, you'll be giving your cash flow a boost and freeing yourself to focus on growing your business. How to choose the best invoicing software for your Australian business. Not all invoicing tools are made the same. Some are built into broader accounting platforms while others are standalone tools. If you’re shopping around, here are the key features and criteria to consider: Ease of use and interface A clean, intuitive interface on your invoice app is essential, especially if you’re not naturally a numbers person. Look for software that’s genuinely easy to use, whether you’re sending invoices from your desktop, or directly from your smartphone when you’re on the go.  Invoicing features Naturally, you want flexibility and control. Does the software let you invoice on the go? Can you add your logo and colours to your invoices? Apply discounts or GST line items? Track invoice status? Set up recurring or scheduled invoices? Zeller Invoices does all that and more.  Payment acceptance and speed Getting paid quickly matters. Does the software support secure credit card payments? Can customers pay instantly via a secure link? Just as importantly, how quickly do those funds land in your account – within a few business days, or by the next day? With Zeller Invoices, funds settle nightly into your Zeller Business Transaction account. So when your customers pay, you’ll have your funds by the next morning.   Integration and ecosystem Good invoicing software should integrate with your other tools, especially accounting software like Xero. But beyond that, some solutions (like Zeller Invoices) are part of a bigger ecosystem of financial tools that include EFTPOS terminals, transaction accounts, debit cards, reporting, and more. This integrated ecosystem approach can save you time and reduce complexity. Pricing model and value Many platforms advertise a free plan, but keep their features locked behind a paywall. Consider how pricing scales as your business grows, and make sure you’re not paying monthly fees for features you don’t need. Zeller Invoices has no monthly fees, and it’s free to create and send an unlimited number of invoices at no cost to your business. AU tax compliance Running a business in Australia with an annual turnover above $75,000 means GST obligations and BAS reporting. Your invoicing software should make that easier, not harder. Choose a tool (like Zeller) that lets you toggle GST and export records for BAS. Support and local relevance Does the provider offer local support in Australian time zones? Are help documents written with Australian businesses in mind? Are fees listed in AUD? Local understanding can make a big difference. Zeller’s support team is here to support you 24/7 via phone, email, or SMS. Top invoicing software options in Australia (and how Zeller Invoices compares). There’s no shortage of invoicing software out there, but not all are created equal. Here’s a breakdown of some of the top platforms used by Australian businesses. Zeller Invoices Zeller Invoices is built specifically for Australian small businesses. You can create and send unlimited invoices for free, and accept online payments via Zeller’s secure payment gateway. Funds settle nightly into a free Zeller Transaction Account. It also lets you: – Customise invoices with your logo, colours and branding – Send invoices via email or SMS – Track payment status in real time – Automate reminders for late payments – Create and send invoices from your phone – Accept payments online with just a tap from your customer All this without paying any monthly subscription fees, or locking key features behind a paywall. Square Invoices Square’s invoicing tools are tightly integrated with its POS ecosystem. It offers a decent free tier, though many features require paid upgrades. Payments take 1 to 2 business days to settle, and the interface leans retail-first. Xero Invoicing Xero is first and foremost accounting software, but it includes invoicing features as part of its paid plans. It’s strong on reporting and BAS prep, but you’ll need to pay $32+ per month. That’s not ideal if invoicing is all you need, or if you’re just looking to get started with your first online invoicing tool or mobile invoicing app. Invoice2go Invoice2go focuses on mobile-friendly invoicing, particularly for tradies and on-the-go professionals. It offers solid features but quickly gets expensive, with plans starting at $12.99/month and limits on clients and invoices. MYOB and QuickBooks These are traditional accounting platforms with invoicing bolted on. MYOB has decent features, but its UI can feel clunky. QuickBooks is more modern, but comes with monthly fees and isn’t built for mobile-first use. Why Zeller Invoices really stands out. Zeller Invoices is built for the way modern Australian businesses actually work. Mobile-first, tax-compliant, and designed to help you get paid fast. Here’s what sets it apart. It’s free to create and send invoices There are no monthly fees, no invoice send limits, and no hidden costs. You only pay a small fee of 1.7% +25¢ for domestic cards (separate pricing for international cards) when a customer pays using their card. That’s it. No surprises.  It’s made for mobile With Zeller App, you can create, send and manage invoices on the go, in under 30 seconds. Send invoices by email or SMS, track them in real time, and manage everything from your phone. You don’t need to be in the office to run your business. Fast payments = better cash flow Payments made online via Zeller Invoices are processed fast, with funds settling nightly into your Zeller Transaction Account. That’s money you can use sooner, whether you’re paying suppliers or investing back into the business. Built for Australian businesses  From GST toggling to BAS-friendly reporting and local support, Zeller Invoices is designed for Aussie businesses from the ground up. You won’t waste time trying to adapt US-centric software to suit local needs. Easy for your customers Your customers can pay securely online via card or mobile wallet, straight from the invoice. No app or login required. In fact, over 75% of Zeller Invoices are paid in under 24 hours. Integrated with the full Zeller ecosystem Zeller Invoices connects to your Zeller Transaction Account , which can easily also be connected to your Zeller EFTPOS terminal and Zeller Debit Card . Having everything in one place means less admin, fewer systems to juggle, lower costs, and better visibility of your cash flow. Choosing the right software for your business type. Still unsure which software is right for you? Here’s a quick guide to help guide your decision. Tradies : Zeller Invoices makes it super simple to create and send an invoice while still on-site. With no monthly fees and fast payments, it’s a natural fit for businesses on the move. Freelancers : Zeller helps you send professional invoices, manage your cash flow, and stay on top of tax – all from your phone, and all without paying a subscription. You’ll save time and look more professional than with an outdated PDF invoice.  Retailers : Zeller’s integrated ecosystem means you can take payments in person and send invoices when needed, all from the same platform. Everything’s connected. Service providers : If your business relies on recurring invoices, payment tracking, and brand consistency, Zeller gives you the tools to manage it all with ease. It’s simple, efficient, and professional. Growing businesses : Whether you're scaling up or streamlining, Zeller’s free invoicing software works alongside your EFTPOS, accounts, and more, with no extra logins or tools needed. For most Australian small businesses, Zeller Invoices delivers what others promise – a convenient, modern and flexible way to send invoices and get paid faster.  Ready to level up your invoicing? It’s easy to start doing all your invoicing with Zeller.   1. Download Zeller App Get the free Zeller App from the App Store or Google Play . Sign in with your Zeller Account, or create one online in minutes. 2. Set up your invoice template Head to Invoices in the main menu of Zeller App, then tap Settings. From there you can upload your business logo, add details for your receipts, customise colours, and more. 3. Create and send your first invoice Once you’re ready, click the ‘+ Invoice’ button and follow the steps to create and send your first invoice. You'll receive an email and push notification as soon as the invoice is paid. If you're ready to take the hassle out of invoicing and start getting paid faster, it's time to try the best free mobile invoicing app in Australia.