What should be included in a quote in Australia?

Include both parties, a quote number and date, a precise scope, itemised and total pricing with GST treatment, start and finish timing, payment terms, exclusions, variation rules, an expiry date, and a clear way for the customer to accept.

Is an accepted quote legally binding in Australia?

An accepted quote can become a legally binding contract. The exact result depends on the wording, acceptance and surrounding circumstances, so use clear terms and obtain advice for high-value or complex work.

How to Write a Quote for a Job in Australia

Q: What is the difference between a quote and an estimate?

A quote offers to perform a defined scope for a stated price and may become binding when accepted. An estimate is an informed approximation where the final price may change. Label the document correctly and explain what can vary.

Q: Should a quote include GST?

If you are registered for GST, make the GST treatment clear and show the total price the customer will pay. If you are not registered, do not add GST. Avoid ambiguous pricing such as a total with no indication of whether GST is included.

Q: How long should a quote be valid?

There is no single period for every business. Choose a practical expiry such as 14 or 30 days based on how quickly labour and material costs can change, and print the exact expiry date on the quote.

Quick answer

To write a quote for a job in Australia, identify both parties, describe exactly what is included, itemise the price and GST, set start, finish and expiry dates, state payment and variation terms, and provide a clear acceptance method. Once accepted, a quote can become a binding contract.

The Australian Government's guide to preparing quotes is a useful primary reference. This article is general information, not legal advice.

Copy-and-paste job quote template

QUOTE                              Quote: Q-2026-014
                                   Date: 28 August 2026
                                   Expires: 27 September 2026

FROM
Coastal Property Services
ABN: 12 345 678 901
[Address]  [Phone]  [Email]

PREPARED FOR
Alex Morgan
14 Example Avenue, Newcastle NSW

SCOPE OF WORK
- Pressure clean front and rear paved areas (up to 95 m2)
- Pre-treat visible organic staining
- Rinse adjacent walls and remove job waste

EXCLUSIONS
- Oil or rust stain removal
- Repairs to loose or damaged pavers
- Water supply by contractor

PRICING
Labour and equipment                         $720.00
Cleaning treatment                           $90.00
                                              -------
Subtotal                                     $810.00
GST                                           $81.00
TOTAL                                        $891.00

TIMING
Proposed start: week beginning 7 September 2026
Estimated duration: 1 day, weather permitting

PAYMENT
20% deposit on acceptance: $178.20
Balance due within 7 days of completion

VARIATIONS
Any work outside this scope will be priced and approved in
writing before it begins.

ACCEPTANCE
I accept quote Q-2026-014 and the scope and terms above.
Name: __________________  Signature: ________________
Date: __________________

What to include in an Australian business quote

A written quote should make the answer to each of these questions obvious:

Who is making the offer? Show your legal or business name, ABN and contact details.
Who is the customer? Use the person or entity that will approve and pay for the work.
What exactly will you do? Use quantities, locations, deliverables, materials, limits and assumptions.
What is excluded? State the adjacent work customers may otherwise assume is included.
What will it cost? Itemise useful components and show a clear total, including GST treatment.
When will it happen? Give a start window, duration and any dependencies such as access, weather or client-supplied content.
How is it accepted? Add a signature block or digital accept button and an expiry date.

Quote vs estimate vs invoice

A quote is an offer to complete a defined scope for a stated price. If the customer accepts it, the quote can become a contract. An estimate is an informed approximation when key costs or quantities are not yet known. An invoice requests payment for work or goods already supplied, or for an agreed deposit or milestone.

Do not label a rough figure as a quote if you expect the price to move freely. If you can define the job but not every variable, list the fixed part, use allowances for uncertain items, and explain how adjustments will be approved. See the full quote vs invoice comparison.

How to price a quote without leaving money out

Build the price from the job, not from the number you think the client wants to hear:

Calculate labour hours, including setup, travel, admin and cleanup.
Add materials, delivery, equipment hire and subcontractor costs.
Add overheads that the job must carry, such as insurance and software.
Add a profit margin and a sensible contingency for genuine uncertainty.
Apply GST if registered, then check the customer-facing total.

If you are quoting a consumer, make the total price clear. The Australian Government advises businesses not to use misleading part-prices and to show the total including taxes and compulsory charges.

Write scope that prevents variations from becoming disputes

“Bathroom renovation” is not a scope. “Remove existing vanity, supply and install 900 mm wall-hung vanity, reconnect existing hot/cold services, excluding wall repairs and asbestos removal” is much safer. The second version defines the deliverable and the boundary.

Add a variation rule stating that extra work will be described, priced and approved in writing before it begins. For urgent site work, a short email or in-app approval is far stronger than a verbal conversation nobody remembers the same way.

Deposits, payment stages and due dates

The quote should say when payment is due, not only how much. For a short job, that may be a deposit plus the balance within seven days of completion. For a larger project, use milestones tied to visible deliverables. Avoid collecting the whole price before you can perform the work unless there is a sound commercial reason.

When the customer accepts, issue a separate numbered deposit invoice and later show the deposit against the final balance. Our Australian deposit invoice guide includes the wording.

Turn an accepted quote into an invoice

Free Invoice App keeps the accepted scope, line items and customer details together, then converts the quote into an invoice without retyping. That reduces mismatches between what the customer approved and what accounts receives. You can create and send your first quote free, then track whether it is sent, accepted or declined.

Frequently asked questions

What should be included in a quote?

Include both parties, quote number and date, precise scope, exclusions, itemised total, GST treatment, timing, payment terms, variation rules, expiry and acceptance.

Is an accepted quote legally binding?

It can be. Clear written terms and a recorded acceptance reduce uncertainty. Get legal advice for high-value, regulated or complex projects.

What is the difference between a quote and an estimate?

A quote offers a defined scope at a stated price. An estimate is an approximation that may change. Explain the difference before the customer commits.

Should a quote include GST?

If registered, show the GST treatment and clear total. If not registered, do not add GST.

How long should a quote be valid?

Use a period that matches your cost risk, often 14 or 30 days, and print the exact expiry date rather than relying on an open-ended offer.