As a tradie running your own business in Australia, you need software that generates invoices on-site, tracks GST, handles employee payslips, and doesn't require an accounting degree to operate. Here's what actually works in 2026.
Quick Answer
For sole trader tradies: SAB Account AI ($9/mo) covers invoicing, GST, and payslips simply. For tradies needing job management + scheduling: ServiceM8 or Tradify. For full accounting: Xero (but it's expensive at $35-70/mo).
The needs of a tradie running a small business are different from an office-based business. You need:
Invoicing + Payroll · Best for: Sole trader tradies and small trade businesses
Built specifically for Australian sole traders. Creates ATO-compliant invoices with GST instantly, tracks expenses, generates payslips with PAYG withholding and super calculations. No job management features, but covers the financial side cleanly.
✓ Cheapest option for what tradies actually need
✓ Payslips with super and PAYG built in
✓ Works on mobile browser — invoice on-site
✓ No complicated setup
✗ No job scheduling or quoting tools
Job Management + Basic Invoicing · Best for: Tradies who need job scheduling, quoting, and client management
Popular with plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians. Handles job scheduling, client communication, quoting, and invoicing in one app. Integrates with Xero or MYOB for accounting.
✓ Job scheduling and dispatch
✓ Client portal
✓ GPS tracking for technicians
✗ More expensive
✗ Requires Xero or MYOB integration for full accounting
Trade-specific Job Management · Best for: Trade businesses with multiple employees and complex job tracking
Specifically built for the trades. Quote, schedule, track, and invoice jobs. Popular with builders, electricians, and plumbers who run crews.
✓ Built for trades
✓ Timesheets and job costing
✓ Quote-to-invoice workflow
✗ Expensive per user for larger teams
✗ Complex for solo operators
Full Accounting · Best for: Established trade businesses with an accountant
Comprehensive accounting software. Great if you have a bookkeeper or accountant managing your books. Overkill for most sole trader tradies.
✓ Full accounting capability
✓ Integrates with many trade apps
✗ Expensive
✗ Complex for non-accountants
✗ Pricing increased significantly
Most tradies earning over $75k/year are GST registered. This means every invoice must include GST (10%) and you must lodge a BAS quarterly. If you have employees or pay subcontractors under a labour hire arrangement, you also need to manage PAYG withholding and super contributions.
Good invoicing software handles all of this automatically — so you can focus on the job, not the paperwork.
Invoice from site, get paid faster
SAB Account AI — ATO-compliant invoicing for Australian tradies. $9/mo, no lock-in.
Start free trialMany tradies use Xero, MYOB, or ServiceM8 for field jobs. However, sole trader tradies (plumbers, electricians, builders running their own business) are increasingly moving to simpler, cheaper tools like SAB Account AI ($9/mo) that handle invoicing and payroll without the complexity of full accounting platforms.
Most sole trader tradies need invoicing software with GST tracking and basic expense records — not full accounting software. Full accounting platforms like Xero are designed for businesses with accountants on staff. Invoicing-focused tools are simpler and cheaper for most tradies.
Yes. Most modern invoicing software has a mobile app or mobile-friendly web interface. SAB Account AI works on any device with a browser — you can create and send invoices from your phone on-site.
Only if their annual turnover exceeds $75,000. Most tradies earning more than $75k must register for GST and add 10% to their invoices. Below that threshold, GST registration is optional.