Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minutePut every quote on the same GST basis before deciding which is cheaper. For an ordinary fully taxable Australian supply, multiply a GST-exclusive amount by 1.10 to get the inclusive price, or divide an inclusive amount by 1.10 to recover the exclusive price. GST contained in an inclusive total is one-eleventh of that total. Then add unavoidable fees, pre-selected extras and every recurring charge over the same contract term.
The important comparison is the amount you must actually pay for the same goods or services, not whichever headline number looks smaller. Confirm the tax wording, scope, timing and final total before accepting an offer.
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What “GST-inclusive” and “GST-exclusive” mean
GST-inclusive means the quoted amount already contains goods and services tax. The figure is generally the amount payable for the stated goods or service, subject to any other fees or conditions disclosed elsewhere.
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GST-exclusive means GST has not been included in the displayed figure. A quote saying “$100 plus GST” requires GST to be added if the supply is taxable and the supplier is charging GST. The amount you pay is therefore higher than the headline figure.
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In Australia, the general GST rate on a taxable supply is 10% of the GST-exclusive value. That does not mean every supply is taxable at 10%; GST-free, input-taxed, mixed and other special treatments can apply.
| Starting figure | Calculation for an ordinary taxable supply | Result |
|---|---|---|
| GST-exclusive price | Exclusive price × 1.10 | GST-inclusive price |
| GST-inclusive price | Inclusive price ÷ 1.10 | GST-exclusive value |
| GST-inclusive price | Inclusive price ÷ 11 | GST component |
| GST-exclusive price | Exclusive price × 0.10 | GST component |
These calculations reflect section 9-75 of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999. For example, a $100 exclusive price becomes $110 inclusive. In reverse, $110 inclusive contains $100 of value and $10 of GST.
The distinction matters because GST is calculated on the exclusive value, not by taking 10% of an inclusive total. Ten per cent of $110 is $11, but the GST embedded in $110 is $10, or $110 divided by 11. The one-eleventh rule avoids that common reverse-calculation error.
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Use a consistent sequence rather than comparing the two headline numbers.
- Identify the GST wording. Look for “including GST”, “GST inclusive”, “plus GST” or “excluding GST”. If the wording is missing or ambiguous, ask the supplier to state the total payable and GST treatment in writing.
- Convert both quotes to the same basis. Convert an exclusive taxable price to an inclusive amount by multiplying by 1.10, or convert an inclusive amount to an exclusive amount by dividing by 1.10. Comparing one inclusive figure with one exclusive figure without conversion can make the cheaper offer look more expensive or vice versa.
- Match the scope. Check that both offers cover the same quantity, specifications, service level, delivery, installation, support, warranty, options and exclusions.
- Add unavoidable charges. Include booking, administration, delivery, service, processing, compulsory insurance and other fees that must be paid. Include extras selected by default, even if they can technically be removed.
- Compare the same time period. For subscriptions, leases and service contracts, calculate the full cost over the same term, including setup charges, monthly amounts, minimum commitments, renewals and cancellation costs.
- Check the final payable total. Use the checkout, order summary or contract total rather than relying on an advertising headline.
The result you want is not the lowest advertised number. It is the lowest final price for an equivalent package on equivalent terms.
If one quote is expressed per item and another as a package, first calculate the cost for the same quantity. If delivery dates or service levels differ, record that difference rather than silently treating the offers as identical. A lower figure may represent fewer hours, slower delivery or no installation.
Worked comparison: $110 including GST versus $100 plus GST
Suppose two suppliers offer the same taxable service:
| Offer | Quoted amount | GST conversion | Payable before other fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | $110 including GST | Already inclusive | $110 |
| B | $100 plus GST | $100 × 1.10 | $110 |
The offers are equal before additional charges. In Offer A, the GST is $110 ÷ 11 = $10 and the GST-exclusive value is $100.
If Offer B also imposes a mandatory $8 fee, its final amount is $118. Assuming Offer A has no equivalent omitted charge, Offer A is then cheaper by $8 even though the headline figures initially suggested a difference of only $10.
For a larger quote, the same method applies. A $2,200 inclusive total contains $200 GST and a $2,000 exclusive value. A $2,000 exclusive quote becomes $2,200 once GST is added. Keep the calculation separate from other charges so you can see whether a fee is taxable, already included or still to be added.
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These are arithmetic illustrations. They assume both quotes describe the same ordinary taxable supply and that the supplier is charging GST.
Consumer price displays: what should be shown?
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says consumer-facing businesses must communicate clear and accurate prices before a customer books, orders or buys. The displayed minimum total should include taxes, duties and unavoidable or pre-selected extra fees.
For a consumer offer, a business generally cannot make a GST-exclusive component appear to be the complete price when GST will necessarily be added. The total payable should be clear before purchase. The ACCC’s practical advice is to “add up all the charges together to figure out the total final price you will have to pay”.
In a 15 September 2000 warning, then ACCC chairman Professor Allan Fels said that where a price is quoted, it must be clear exactly how much the consumer will be expected to pay. The current ACCC guidance uses the same underlying principle: assess the complete payable amount, not a component presented in isolation.
Some items do not have to appear in the initial total:
- Optional extras that the customer has not selected may be shown separately.
- A charge that cannot yet be quantified may be stated once the relevant details are known; the full price should then be made clear.
- For a contract with monthly or other component pricing, the total contract cost should be displayed at least as prominently as the component price.
Online purchases can use “drip pricing”, where fees are revealed in stages. To protect yourself, review every screen, remove unwanted pre-selections, and compare the final order summary rather than the first number shown. If a fee appears only after you enter payment details, save the earlier and final screens and ask the business to explain the difference.
Business-to-business quotes can use a different basis
The ACCC says a business displaying prices only to other businesses does not need to include GST in the total price. That is why professional, wholesale and trade quotes often state an amount “ex GST” or “plus GST”.
This does not make an exclusive quote cheaper. It changes how the price is presented. When comparing B2B offers, convert both to inclusive or both to exclusive amounts before ranking them. Also establish whether your organisation can claim an input tax credit; that accounting treatment affects your net cost but does not change the amount the supplier invoices.
For example, two businesses may compare a $5,500 inclusive quote with a $5,000 plus GST quote. Before any accounting adjustment, both require a $5,500 payment. Whether either business later claims eligible GST credits is a separate question for its records and tax position.
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Compare fees, extras and contract terms—not just GST
GST is only one part of the comparison. A quote can be correctly labelled and still omit costs that materially change the outcome.
Unavoidable and pre-selected fees
List every compulsory charge separately, then add it to the converted price. Typical categories include delivery, installation, booking, account setup, credit-card processing, cleaning, disposal and mandatory service plans. If an optional item is pre-selected in an online form, treat it as part of the displayed total until you actively remove it.
Check whether a quoted “from” price assumes a particular location, quantity or payment method. A charge that applies to every customer in the transaction should not be ignored merely because it is described in a footnote. Ask whether taxes and fees are calculated once or repeatedly at each billing stage.
Recurring charges and minimum terms
Multiply recurring amounts by the number of billing periods in the commitment. Add one-off setup or exit charges. A quote of $30 per month for 24 months is not comparable with $650 paid once unless you calculate both over the same period and confirm what happens after month 24.
Also check whether the first period is discounted, whether a renewal rate is different, and whether cancellation leaves a minimum balance payable. A monthly figure can look attractive while the contract requires payment for the whole term.
Scope and exclusions
Two offers can have identical GST treatment but provide different value. Check quantities, labour hours, response times, delivery locations, materials, usage limits, support hours, renewal terms and cancellation rights. Record exclusions such as travel, permits, excess usage or replacement parts.
Use unit pricing when package sizes differ
For groceries and other goods sold in different quantities, compare the GST-inclusive selling price and the unit price. The ACCC’s unit-pricing guidance is designed to show a standard measure such as price per kilogram, litre or item.
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For example, a 500-gram pack at $4.40 and a 1-kilogram pack at $8.00 have selling prices of $4.40 and $8.00. Their unit prices are $8.80 per kilogram and $8.00 per kilogram respectively, so the larger pack is cheaper per kilogram even though its shelf price is higher. Use the same unit and check that the products are genuinely equivalent in quality and contents.
Unit price does not replace the GST comparison. First make sure the selling prices are on a comparable tax basis, then compare the price per identical measure. Promotions, loyalty conditions and different package contents can otherwise make a unit-price comparison misleading.
When the 10% conversion does not settle the answer
The 1.10 and one-eleventh calculations apply to the taxable part of an ordinary taxable supply. They are not a universal shortcut for every invoice.
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GST-free or input-taxed components
A quote may include components with special GST treatment. Do not add 10% to an amount merely because the supplier uses the word “tax”; ask which components are taxable and why.
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Mixed supplies
Where one quote combines taxable and non-taxable components, calculate GST separately for the taxable part. The ATO’s GSTR 2001/8DA explains that GST may be calculated as 10% of the taxable part’s exclusive value or one-eleventh of the taxable part’s inclusive value. Applying one rate to the entire mixed quote can produce the wrong result.
Request an itemised breakdown showing the value assigned to each component. If the supplier has bundled goods and services, ask how the bundle was treated for GST rather than assuming the whole bundle has one tax character.
Imported, industry-specific or unusual transactions
Imported supplies, property transactions, financial services and other specialised arrangements can have rules that are not captured by the general example. For a material or complex transaction, request an itemised tax treatment and obtain qualified tax advice before relying on a conversion.
What documents should you request?
Ask for a written quote that states:
- whether each amount is GST-inclusive or GST-exclusive;
- the taxable and non-taxable components, where relevant;
- the total payable, including compulsory fees;
- quantities, specifications, delivery and service inclusions;
- the contract term, billing frequency, renewal and cancellation conditions; and
- any assumptions or charges that will be determined later.
A tax invoice can help a business recipient reconcile what was charged and identify the GST amount. Invoice obligations and input-tax-credit eligibility depend on the transaction and current ATO rules, so do not treat a draft or outdated ruling as definitive. If the amount is significant, have your accountant verify the invoice and treatment.
Keep the quote, acceptance email, order summary and final invoice together. If the final amount changes, compare each line with the agreed scope and ask for a corrected invoice where the change is not authorised.
A practical comparison worksheet
Use one row per offer and fill in the same fields:
| Field | Offer A | Offer B |
|---|---|---|
| Quoted amount | Record the exact figure | Record the exact figure |
| GST basis | Inclusive, exclusive or unclear | Inclusive, exclusive or unclear |
| Converted comparable price | Put both on the same basis | Put both on the same basis |
| One-off compulsory fees | Add all required charges | Add all required charges |
| Recurring charges over the agreed term | Calculate the full term | Calculate the full term |
| Scope and quantity | Note inclusions and exclusions | Note inclusions and exclusions |
| Final payable total | Use the contract or checkout total | Use the contract or checkout total |
| Unit price, if relevant | Use the same standard measure | Use the same standard measure |
Keep the supplier’s wording alongside your calculation. If a later invoice differs, you can show exactly which assumption or fee caused the change.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common mistakes and how to fix them
Comparing $100 with $110 without checking the labels
The $100 figure may exclude GST and therefore equal $110 inclusive. Read the qualifier before judging the price.
Assuming every Australian price must include GST
Consumer displays generally need a total price, but business-only pricing may be shown exclusive of GST. Identify whether the offer is directed to consumers or businesses.
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A mandatory $8 charge can reverse the result of a close comparison. Add all unavoidable and pre-selected fees before choosing.
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Comparing different contract lengths
A monthly number is not a complete comparison. Calculate the total commitment and include setup, renewal and exit charges.
Applying 10% to a mixed quote
Separate taxable and specially treated components. Ask for an itemisation rather than assuming the entire amount is taxable.
Using the advertised total instead of the amount at checkout
Review the final order, booking or contract screen for drip-priced charges and default selections. The amount you authorise is the meaningful comparison.
Confusing a tax credit with a lower invoice
A business may have a separate accounting entitlement to claim eligible GST, but that does not reduce the supplier’s quoted amount or the cash paid at checkout. Compare invoice totals first, then consider your own tax treatment.
Questions to ask a supplier before accepting a quote
- Is this amount GST-inclusive or GST-exclusive?
- What is the exact total I will pay, including every compulsory fee?
- Are any options, insurance, delivery or service charges pre-selected?
- What goods or services, quantities and support are included?
- Is the price one-off, monthly, annual or subject to a minimum term?
- Will the amount change at renewal or with usage?
- Does the quote contain taxable, GST-free, input-taxed or mixed components?
- Can you issue an itemised invoice showing the GST charged?
Clear answers to these questions usually matter more than a small difference in the headline quote.
Sources and scope
The arithmetic follows section 9-75 of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 and ATO guidance on calculating GST, including mixed supplies. Price-display and drip-pricing guidance comes from the ACCC’s current material on price displays and unit pricing. The rules described here are general Australian guidance, not individual tax or legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a GST-inclusive price mean there are no other charges?
No. It means GST is already in that quoted amount. Delivery, booking, installation, processing, compulsory insurance, pre-selected extras or recurring charges may still apply. Check the final checkout or contract total.
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Usually, if the supply is taxable and the quote says “plus GST” or “excluding GST”. Multiply the exclusive amount by 1.10 for the ordinary 10% calculation. Confirm special or mixed treatment with the supplier.
How do I remove GST from an inclusive price?
Divide the inclusive total by 1.10 to find the GST-exclusive value. Divide the inclusive total by 11 to find the GST component. For example, $110 inclusive contains $100 value and $10 GST.
Can a business quote prices excluding GST?
The ACCC says prices shown only to other businesses do not need to include GST in the displayed total. Convert competing B2B quotes to the same basis and confirm the amount that will actually be invoiced.
What if a quote contains GST-free and taxable items?
Do not apply 10% to the whole quote automatically. Ask for an itemised breakdown and calculate GST on the taxable part. Complex or significant transactions may require qualified tax advice.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat should I compare for a subscription or contract?
Compare the complete cost over the same term, including setup, recurring payments, minimum commitments, renewal pricing, usage charges and cancellation or exit fees. A monthly component alone is not enough.
The Bottom Line
To compare fairly, put every quote on the same GST basis, match the scope and term, add unavoidable and pre-selected charges, and use the final payable total. For an ordinary taxable supply, multiply an exclusive price by 1.10 or divide an inclusive price by 1.10; GST embedded in an inclusive total is one-eleventh. Ask for clarification whenever a quote contains mixed or special GST treatment.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
