Outstanding Invoice Template for Australia

An Outstanding Invoice is a formal document used to request payment for goods or services that remain unpaid beyond the original invoice due date. Under Australian law, this document serves as an official payment reminder that must comply with consumer protection legislation and GST requirements while maintaining professional business standards.

When do you need this document?

You need an Outstanding Invoice when your business has provided goods or services, issued an invoice, and the payment deadline has passed without receiving payment. This typically occurs when clients have exceeded their payment terms by 30, 60, or 90 days. The document becomes essential when you need to formally notify the debtor of their overdue obligation while maintaining legal compliance. It's particularly important for businesses that want to preserve customer relationships while firmly requesting payment. You should use this document before escalating to formal debt collection procedures or legal action, as it demonstrates good faith efforts to resolve the matter commercially.

Key legal considerations

Your Outstanding Invoice must include all mandatory information required under the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999, including your ABN, business details, and correct GST calculations if applicable. The document must comply with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, which governs fair trading practices and prohibits misleading or deceptive conduct in payment demands. You must ensure any collection language complies with the Debt Collectors Act 2014, avoiding harassment, coercion, or misleading statements about consequences of non-payment. The document should clearly state the original invoice details, payment due date, current outstanding amount, and available payment methods. Privacy Act 1988 requirements must be observed when handling and storing customer information included in the outstanding invoice.

Legal requirements in Australia

Australian law requires Outstanding Invoices to include specific business identification details, including your registered business name, ABN, and contact information. The document must reference the original invoice number, date, and payment terms to establish the legal basis for the payment demand. GST-registered businesses must include their GST registration number and correctly calculate any GST components in the outstanding amount. You must provide clear payment instructions, including acceptable payment methods and bank account details if relevant. The outstanding invoice should specify any interest charges or late fees only if these were disclosed in your original terms and conditions and comply with applicable state and territory regulations. Under consumer protection laws, you cannot make false or misleading statements about the consequences of non-payment or your authority to take collection action.