Odoo and Australian GST and BAS: What It Covers and What It Doesn't

What the Australian localisation includes

When you set Odoo's accounting to Australia, it installs an Australian chart of accounts and GST taxes, with the standard 10% rate and variants for different categories. It also adds practical Australian extras: ABA files for bank payments, remittance advice, customer statements and e-invoicing support for Peppol. Some steps remain manual, such as uploading the Peppol file and reconciling ABA batches, so ask how these will work day to day.

How BAS works in Odoo

Your GST and PAYG withholding figures come from the tax settings on each transaction. The BAS report collects them into the BAS labels, by calendar quarter. When you close a period, Odoo creates the journal entry that clears GST against your clearing account.

The important part: Odoo prepares BAS, but it does not submit it. You copy the figures into the ATO portal yourself, or hand them to your accountant or BAS agent. Most small businesses work this way anyway.

TPAR, if it applies to you

Some industries must report payments to contractors through the Taxable Payments Annual Report. Odoo supports this with TPAR tax and fiscal position settings and a TPAR report. If your business is in an industry with these obligations, such as building and construction or cleaning, confirm the requirements with your accountant first.

Payroll and STP: be careful

This is where honesty matters. In the Odoo documentation we reviewed, Australian payroll was noted as not compliant with STP Phase 2, with some tax schedules only partly complete. Documentation changes between versions, so confirm the current status with Odoo and your accountant. Many Australian businesses keep payroll in a dedicated payroll product and run the rest of the business in Odoo. We can help you decide what makes sense.

Setting it up properly

• Involve your accountant early. Agree the chart of accounts, tax mapping and BAS period before go-live.
• Set up your ABN and GST status correctly from day one.
• Map historic data carefully: opening balances, open invoices and bills, and tax codes.
• Check your first BAS together. Run your first quarter's figures past your accountant before lodging.
• Decide how payroll and STP will work and who owns it.

Our Odoo implementation process includes these steps, and our Odoo Readiness Checklist helps you prepare. Comparing Odoo with your current accounting tool? Read Odoo vs Xero vs MYOB.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Odoo support Australian GST?

Yes. The Australian localisation sets up GST taxes and an Australian chart of accounts.

Can Odoo lodge my BAS with the ATO?

No. Odoo prepares the BAS report. You lodge it through the ATO or your accountant.

Is Odoo compliant with STP Phase 2?

In the documentation we reviewed, payroll was noted as not yet compliant. Confirm the current status with Odoo and your accountant, or keep payroll in a dedicated tool.

Which Odoo edition includes the BAS report?

Edition inclusion can change by release, so check Odoo's current documentation and confirm it during discovery.

Do I need to move my accountant to Odoo?

No. Accountants can work from the reports and exports, and we can discuss what suits them.