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Tax & business setup for tradies

By Yamate · Last updated August 2026

Three things to sort, in this order: get a free ABN (often issued instantly), register for GST once your turnover hits $75,000, and put aside 25–30% of your profit for tax. Without an ABN, business customers may have to withhold 47% of your payment. Plain English, no accountant jargon.

💡 This page is the tax and money half of setting up. If you are earlier than that — still deciding on a structure, a licence, insurance and what to charge — start with going out on your own, which covers the whole first-90-days sequence and links back here for the tax detail.

Already trading? Check what the register holds

A quick sanity check before the rest of this page: what the Australian Business Register currently records against your ABN, including whether it shows you as registered for GST.

1. Get your ABN

First job: an Australian Business Number. It's free, often instant, and goes on every quote and invoice. Without it, business customers may have to withhold 47% of your pay.

How to get an ABN (free) →What you need, how to apply through the ABR, how long it takes, and the no-ABN withholding trap.

2. Work out GST

You must register for GST once your turnover hits $75,000 — below that it's optional, and there are real arguments both ways depending on who your customers are.

Do I need to register for GST? →The $75k rule, when to register early, and what changes once you do.

3. Set money aside for tax

Put aside 25–30% of your profit as a starting point. No boss is taking tax out for you anymore, that's your job now. A simple habit, a second account and a fixed %, means tax time is never a shock.

How much tax to put aside →What % to save, why it depends on your income, and PAYG instalments.

Let the app handle the day-to-day

Once you're set up, Yamate keeps your ABN and GST on every invoice, tracks your income as you go, and chases late payers — so the ongoing admin doesn't pile up.

Try Yamate free — built for solo tradies →

Free tools

GST calculator Tax set-aside calculator Free invoice generator Hourly rate calculator Going out on your own Your first BAS Cash vs accrual GST Tax invoice requirements Getting admin help Buying vs financing tools

General information for Australian sole traders, not tax or legal advice. Check the ATO, ABR and business.gov.au, or your accountant, for your situation.