For your industry
BizTools for Australian Tradies
A working tradie loses more profit to bad quoting and admin than to bad days on site. The calculators, guides, and software comparisons here are picked specifically for AU tradies — quoting, job costing, GST, payroll, and the field-app vs accounting decision.
On this page
- Calculators built around tradie quoting and job costing.
- Honest software comparisons (ServiceM8 vs simPRO; Xero vs MYOB).
- Plain-English guides for GST, BAS, super, and AU payroll.
- Affiliate-disclosed partner recommendations.
Calculators
Calculators for tradies actually use
Built for the decisions you make every week — pricing, quoting, costing, GST, payroll.
Calculator
Tradie Quote Calculator
Build a defensible quote with labour, materials, overhead, and margin baked in. Pressure-test before you send.
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Calculator
Job Costing Calculator
Check what a job actually cost you after labour, materials, and the time lost on the truck.
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Calculator
Quote Profit Calculator
Stress-test a quote — what profit does it leave once the real numbers hit?
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Calculator
Employee Cost Calculator
Estimate the true cost of an AU tradie employee — wages plus super, leave, workers comp.
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Calculator
GST Calculator AU
Quick GST inclusive / exclusive checks before you send a quote or invoice.
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Calculator
Hourly Rate Calculator
Set a defensible hourly charge-out rate that covers cost, overhead, and target profit.
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Guides + comparisons
Practical reading
Plain-English explanations + honest software comparisons for your persona.
Comparison
Best job management software for AU tradies
ServiceM8 vs simPRO vs Xero vs MYOB. Verdict per crew size + pairing logic.
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Head-to-head
ServiceM8 vs simPRO — head-to-head
Phone-first vs project-first. Verdict by crew size.
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Guide
How tradies should build a profitable quote
Practical framework for pricing trade work without leaving margin on the table.
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Guide
GST on quotes + invoices (AU)
How GST should appear on quotes and invoices, with worked examples.
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Guide
Employee vs contractor (AU)
The cost + classification differences before you hire your first tradie.
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Guide
Single Touch Payroll explained
What STP is, what to report, deadlines, and which software handles it.
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Recommended tools
Software AU tradies actually use
Field-service apps for jobs on-site, accounting platforms for the books. Most working tradies run both layers.
ServiceM8
Job management built for AU tradies
Australian-built field service app — quotes, jobs, photos, invoicing, payments, and scheduling, all from your phone. Designed for plumbers, electricians, cleaners, and other on-site service crews.
simPRO
Project + service management for trades
Australian platform for established trade businesses that handle larger projects, multi-stage jobs, inventory, and field staff. Strong on quoting accuracy, job costing, and Xero/MYOB sync.
Xero
Accounting software for growing businesses
The most widely used cloud accounting platform in Australia — invoicing, GST, payroll, BAS, and integrations with most banks and POS systems.
See the full comparison: best job management software for AU tradies →
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FAQ
Common questions
- What's the minimum software stack for a solo AU tradie?
- At minimum: a field-service app (ServiceM8 free starter, $0) + an accounting layer for BAS/tax. The accounting layer can be Hnry (1% capped, handles tax + BAS for you) or Xero ($35/mo + you/your accountant handle tax). Most solo sparkies, plumbers, and cleaners start with ServiceM8 + Hnry — that's the lightest legitimate setup.
- When should I move from ServiceM8 to simPRO?
- Usually when you have 5+ staff, multi-stage jobs, real inventory to manage, or you're winning project work that needs progress claims. Below that, ServiceM8 is faster to use and 5-10× cheaper. The migration to simPRO usually takes 4-8 weeks and is best done with a simPRO implementation partner.
- Do I need an accountant if I'm using Hnry?
- Generally no for the basic tax + BAS work — Hnry is the accountant. You'd still want one once you hire staff, register a Pty Ltd, get into property/SMSF, or have complex deductions Hnry's standard logic doesn't handle well.
- What's the GST registration threshold for tradies?
- $75,000 in GST turnover in any 12-month period (the standard threshold for all AU businesses). Special rules for ride-share/taxi/limousine drivers — they register from $0. See our GST registration threshold guide for the full breakdown.
Disclaimer
A note on the recommendations
Important note
BizTools.au is designed to make business numbers easier to check, but calculator outputs still need judgment and real-world context.
- Calculator results are general estimates only and depend on the figures entered.
- Examples and summaries are provided for general information, not legal, tax, accounting, payroll, or financial advice.
- Before relying on a result for a real decision, check your assumptions and get qualified advice where needed.