GST in Australia – What It Is, When You Need It & How to Stay Compliant

GST (Goods and Services Tax)

A 10% value-added tax applied to most goods and services sold in Australia. Businesses must register for GST if turnover exceeds $75,000 annually.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a 10% tax applied to most sales of goods and services in Australia. If you run a business with $75,000+ in annual turnover, GST registration is not optional — it’s a legal requirement. Whether you’re just starting or managing monthly BAS submissions, understanding how GST works is key to staying compliant and avoiding ATO penalties.

At Ozobooks, we help Australian businesses handle their GST obligations with confidence — from registration and setup to ongoing reporting and BAS filing.

What Is GST?

GST is a value-added tax levied on most goods and services sold in Australia. When you register for GST, you must:

Add 10% GST to your sales invoices (output tax)
Collect GST from your customers
Report and pay that GST to the ATO
Claim GST credits on business-related purchases (input tax credits)

Who Needs to Register for GST?

You must register for GST if:

Your business turnover exceeds $75,000/year
You’re a non-profit with turnover over $150,000
You provide ride-sourcing or taxi services, regardless of income

Need help registering for GST? We can do it for you in under 48 hours. [Contact us →]

What Happens After You Register?

After registration, you’ll need to:

Issue tax invoices that include GST
Track GST on income and expenses
Lodge a Business Activity Statement (BAS) monthly, quarterly, or annually
Pay any GST owed to the ATO

How We Can Help

Running a business is hard enough without dealing with GST red tape. Our registered BAS agents can:

Register your business for GST with the ATO
Set up correct GST tracking in your accounts
Prepare and lodge BAS on your behalf
Fix or amend past BAS errors
Advise on how to claim maximum input tax credits

FAQ

Q1: What’s the threshold for GST registration?
Any business earning over $75,000 per year must register. It’s $150,000 for non-profits.

Q2: Do I need to charge GST on all services?
Most services do attract GST, but some — like certain education or medical services — may be GST-free.

Q3: Can I backdate GST registration?
Yes, in some cases you can apply for backdated GST registration, but it must be approved by the ATO. We can assist.

Q4: What if I don’t lodge BAS on time?
The ATO may issue penalties, late fees, and interest. Contact us ASAP if you’ve fallen behind.