GST calculator
Use our simple and accurate GST calculator to add or remove GST from any inputted amount. Whether you’re a sole trader, freelancer, company or other small business, this tool makes it easy to handle your GST calculations in seconds.
Calculate the GST
The calculator will do the rest:
What is GST in Australia?
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a 10% broad-based tax applied to most goods, services, and other items sold or consumed in Australia. Whether you’re a sole trader, company owner, freelancer, eCommerce seller, or other business and are registered for GST (see below), the goods and services tax plays a crucial role in your pricing, billing, and tax compliance.
While GST may seem like a complicated process, its presence has unified the taxation system, bringing greater transparency and efficiency in the way taxes are calculated and managed across Australia. In fact, it has replaced many indirect taxes imposed on services and goods and reduced tax cascading, creating a more streamlined approach that benefits both the seller and the consumer.
Who Needs to Register for GST in Australia?
GST for Businesses
If your business has an annual GST turnover of $75,000 or more, GST registration is mandatory. This applies whether you operate as a company, partnership, or trust. Once registered, you must charge 10% GST on taxable sales and lodge Business Activity Statements (BAS) regularly.
GST for Sole Traders
If you operate as a sole trader and your total GST turnover (from all business activities) is $75,000 or more annually, you must register for GST. Even if you only provide part-time services or have irregular income, crossing the threshold triggers GST obligations.
GST for Freelancers and Contractors
Freelancers working on platforms like Airtasker, Fiverr, Upwork, or Freelancer.com need to register for GST if their total income from freelance work reaches $75,000 or more per year. You’ll need to charge GST on your invoices and submit regular BAS reports.
GST for Rideshare and Taxi Drivers
If you drive for services like Uber, DiDi, Ola, or any other ride-sourcing platform, you must register for GST regardless of your income. The ATO treats ride-sourcing as taxi travel, which is always subject to GST—even if you earn below $75,000.
GST for Overseas E-Commerce Sellers
Overseas businesses selling goods, digital products, or services to Australian consumers (via platforms like eBay, Amazon, or Shopify) must register for GST once their sales reach the $75,000 threshold.
GST for Nonprofit Organisations
Nonprofit organizations are required to register for GST when their annual turnover reaches $150,000 or more. Voluntary registration is also an option below this threshold if you want to claim GST credits.
How do you calculate GST in Australia?
What is GST?
The GST is a 10% flat tax that is applied to the majority of goods, services, and other items that are consumed in Australia.
If you own a business that sells products or services in Australia, you need to calculate how much GST to add to their base price.
GST is the portion of the product price you pay to the Australian Tax Office (ATO).Find the GST-inclusive price
Your base price x 1.1 equals the GST-inclusive price.
So, for example, let’s work out the GST-inclusive price if your base price is $200.
$200 x 1.1 = $220
The GST-inclusive price for this product is $220.
And the GST portion of that is $220-$200= 20Find the GST-exclusive price
To find the GST-exclusive price, you have to divide the GST-inclusive price by 1.1.
So, let’s take the same product that cost $110.
$110/1.1 = $100. The GST-exclusive price was $100.
And the GST portion of that is $110-$100=$10
Why Use a GST Calculator?
Every GST calculation is a war of numbers. That’s why GST calculators have been designed to help business professionals ease not just the calculation but also accurate billing and invoice preparation. With Accountants Direct’s GST calculator you can:
- Quickly add or remove GST from base prices.
- Avoid errors that mess up your BAS reporting.
- Enhance your client quotes, invoices, and other reports with correct prices
To gain a clear understanding about GST and its calculation takes time and practice, particularly if you are someone who doesn’t find enough time to sit with your business numbers. Keeping track of your GST obligations is essential, as this information feeds into your Business Activity Statement (BAS), so having a GST calculator by your side can make a huge difference in managing your finances and business with ease.
GST Reporting Frequency in Australia
Monthly GST reporting
Businesses with a turnover of $20 million are mandated for monthly GST reporting.
This type of reporting works well for businesses with high cash flows and those that require faster GST refunds.Quarterly GST reporting
Suitable for small and medium businesses that generate revenue below $20 million.
In this type of GST reporting, you are required to do only 4 BAS reports, which can be managed as long as you are consistently regular and accurate with your bookkeeping.
For quarterly GST reporting, the GST refunds happen only every 3 months.Annual GST reporting
Applies to businesses that generate $75,000 or less than that.
With annual GST reporting, you’re required to submit just one BAS per year, which reduces admin work and suits low-volume businesses.
GST refunds can take up to a year since you claim them only at the end of the financial year.
Is GST Always Applicable?
If you are an Australian providing service for overseas clients, then your service can be GST-free depending on two cases.
- When your client is based overseas.
- When your service benefits someone who resides outside Australia.
In some cross-border cases, your service will still need to apply GST.
- When your service is related to a property or event located in Australia.
- When your client is an Australian resident but is temporarily out of the city.
- When your service benefits are used in Australia.
Real-World GST Use Cases
- A consultant working for a U.S. client may be GST-free
- A software service sold to Australian businesses includes 10% GST
- An Uber driver must charge GST from day one
- Private tutoring for an Australian university student is GST-free, as education services are exempt
- A domestic cleaning service billed to a household must include 10% GST, as it’s considered a taxable supply
Why GST Matters for the Australian Economy
Creates a unified taxation system
With GST, several state and federal taxes have been cancelled, making it easier not only for the government but also for business professionals to streamline invoices and function hassle-free.
Enhances transparency
Every stage of a business, right from raw material sourcing to final billing, includes GST, giving consumers upfront information on details that were once hidden. This transparency reduces unofficial economic activity (the black economy) and tax evasion, building a more accountable and stable system.
Boosts government revenue
As one of the biggest sources of income, the government utilizes the fund for essential services like healthcare, education, and other critical areas of operation.
Goods & Services That Attract 10% GST in Australia
The common list of goods includes:
- Footwear and clothing
- Electronic gadgets
- Furniture & decor
- Skincare & cosmetics
- Packaged food items & snacks, including beverages
- Stationery & office supplies
- Household products like cleaning items
The common list of services includes:
- Marketing & consulting services
- Accounting & legal consultation
- IT support & services
- Event planning & entertainment
- Beauty services
- Basic everyday services like plumbing, electrical, and carpentry
Why Professional GST Support Matters
Got a burning question? Let us help.
Do I need to register for GST as a sole trader or freelancer?
If your annual GST turnover is $75,000 or more, then you are mandated for a GST registration. Your nature of work or frequency of income does not matter as long as you generate an annual income of $75,000.
Which goods or services are exempt from GST (GST-free)?
Australia exempts a number of essential or specific goods and services from GST. These GST-free items include:
- Basic foods like fresh groceries, meat, bread, and milk
- Health services and medical products.
- Education (school and university courses, tuition)
- Childcare
- Exports
- Charitable activities
- International travel, and a few others
Can tourists or visitors get a refund of GST?
Yes, under the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS), international visitors (and Australians traveling outbound) can claim a refund of GST on goods bought in Australia, subject to conditions. The main requirements are that you must spend at least $300 (including GST) at one retailer within 60 days of departure, have the tax invoices, and carry the goods with you when leaving Australia.
How do I report and pay the GST I’ve collected to the government?
When you’re registered for GST, you report and pay GST through your BAS (typically, businesses file a BAS every quarter (some choose monthly, especially if they are usually in a refund position, and some very small ones might be allowed annual). On the BAS, you will report the total GST you’ve collected on sales (output tax) and the total GST you’ve paid on business purchases (input credits).
What happens if I don’t register for GST?
If your business earns $75,000 or more in GST turnover and you don’t register, then the ATO has complete authority to charge penalties for failing to register. You may also have to pay interest on unpaid GST, starting from the date you should have registered.