Run your trade business

Tradie using a laptop on a timber workbench covered in tools and plans — Photo: Ivan S / Pexels

The tools are the easy part. It's the paperwork that eats your nights: quotes, invoices, chasing payments, BAS, insurance renewals. This section is about getting that side under control so you spend more time on the tools and less time at the kitchen table.

Start with the basics if you're new: get your ABN, GST and BAS sorted, then pick your insurance. Once the jobs are coming in, a job management app and accounting software stop things falling through the cracks.

Guides in this section

Job apps, quoting and invoicing

Compare

Compare the top 3 job apps

ServiceM8, Tradify and Fergus compared for Australian tradies: pricing checked October 2026, how each charges, who each suits, and the catches.

In-depth reviews

Review

ServiceM8 review

ServiceM8 reviewed for Australian sole traders: what the free plan includes, where the 30-job limit bites, card fees, and when Starter at $29 is worth it.

Review

Tradify review

Tradify reviewed for Australian tradies: Lite, Pro and Plus pricing checked October 2026, what each plan leaves out, and when it beats ServiceM8.

Review

Fergus review

Fergus reviewed for Australian plumbers, sparkies and builders: plans from $53 a month, supplier price lists, job costing, paid extras and who it suits.

For larger teams

Review

Simpro review

Simpro reviewed for Australian trade businesses: quote-only pricing, setup fees, project and maintenance features, and when it beats smaller apps.

Review

AroFlo review

AroFlo reviewed for Australian trade businesses: $80 per user a month, 3 user minimum, setup fee, compliance forms, supplier catalogues and who it suits.

Compare

Best invoicing and quoting apps

Invoicing and quoting apps for Australian tradies compared: Square, MYOB, Xero, ServiceM8 and Tradify. Free options, limits and card fees checked.

Guide

How to write a quote

How to write a clear tradie quote in Australia: what to include, GST, deposits, variations and Victorian contract rules, plus a quote template to copy.

Money, accounting and setup

Compare

Xero vs MYOB

Xero and MYOB compared for Australian tradies: plan prices checked October 2026, BAS, payroll for apprentices, job app integrations and the catches.

In-depth reviews

Review

Xero review

Xero reviewed for Australian tradies: every plan price checked October 2026, invoice and bill limits, payroll, BAS, job app syncing and the catches.

Review

MYOB review

MYOB reviewed for Australian tradies: Solo, Lite, Pro and AccountRight Plus prices checked October 2026, BAS, job tracking, payroll and who each suits.

Guide

Set up as a sole trader

Step by step for Australian tradies going out on their own: licence, ABN, business name, GST, BAS due dates, tax set-aside, TPAR and records.

Guide

White card and licence renewals

When white cards lapse, and how builder, plumber and electrician licences renew in VIC, NSW, QLD, SA and WA. Renewal periods and fees checked October 2026.

Guide

BAS and GST routine

GST and BAS for Australian tradies in plain English: the $75,000 threshold, tax invoices, quarterly due dates and a routine that keeps it easy.

Compare

Best accounting app for sole traders

Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks compared for Australian sole trader tradies: yearly cost, BAS lodgement, limits, payroll and which suits a one person business.

In-depth reviews

Review

QuickBooks review

QuickBooks Online reviewed for Australian tradies: plan prices checked October 2026, BAS lodgement, user limits, project tracking, payroll and the catches.

Guide

Tradie tax deductions

Tax deductions for Australian tradies from ATO guidance: tools, the $20,000 instant asset write-off, utes, protective gear, phones, insurance and records.