How to lodge your own BAS as a contractor (without the headache)
A step-by-step guide for new contractors and freelancers.
Bottom line: BAS is simple when your records are clean. Track income, GST, and expenses consistently and your BAS is mostly a summary exercise. A lightweight system can reduce stress and avoid last-minute catch-up work.
What you need for a clean BAS
- All invoices recorded and categorised.
- GST clearly tagged on income and expenses.
- Business vs personal transactions separated.
Monthly workflow
- Import bank transactions.
- Confirm GST on each item.
- Review totals at month end.
Quarterly BAS checklist
- Verify sales and GST totals.
- Check deductible expenses.
- Confirm any adjustments.
About the author
Written by the Self Managed team based on experience supporting contractor compliance workflows.
Last updated
January 2026