What is a BAS?
A Business Activity Statement (BAS) is the form Australian businesses use to report and pay tax obligations to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). For most small businesses, the main component is GST — but a BAS can also include PAYG withholding, PAYG instalments, and other obligations depending on the business.
If you're registered for GST in Australia, you need to lodge according to your reporting obligations. The ATO's BAS guidance explains what may be reported and confirms that the applicable lodgement and payment date appears on your BAS.
GST registration threshold in Australia
You must register for GST if your annual turnover is A$75,000 or more (A$150,000 for non-profit organisations). Once registered, you must lodge for each reporting period. Check the ATO's GST registration guidance for the current threshold and exceptions.
The three BAS reporting periods
The ATO offers three BAS reporting periods for GST: monthly, quarterly, and annually. The right choice depends on your turnover, cash flow patterns, and how much admin time you want to spend on compliance.
Monthly BAS
Monthly BAS lodgement means you report and pay GST every month. The usual due date is the 21st day after the end of the reporting period, with the next business day applying if that date is a weekend or public holiday. See the ATO's monthly GST reporting guidance for the current rule.
Who it suits
Monthly lodgement is generally required if your annual GST turnover exceeds A$20 million. However, smaller businesses can also elect to lodge monthly — and there are good reasons to do so. If your business regularly receives GST refunds (for example, because you have significant input tax credits from purchases), monthly lodgement means you get refunds faster. It also gives you more frequent visibility of your GST position, which can help with cash flow planning.
The downside
Twelve BAS lodgements per year is a significant admin commitment. Unless your business genuinely benefits from monthly refunds or you have a bookkeeper handling it, monthly lodgement is usually more work than it's worth for a small business.
Quarterly BAS
Quarterly BAS lodgement is common for Australian small businesses. It usually covers the periods ending 31 March, 30 June, 30 September, and 31 December. Your exact due date is shown on your BAS, so check the ATO's BAS guidance and your statement rather than relying on a general calendar.
Tax agent lodgement extension
A registered tax or BAS agent may be able to advise whether an alternative lodgement arrangement applies to you. Check the date on your BAS and confirm any arrangement with your adviser before relying on it.
Who it suits
Quarterly lodgement suits the vast majority of Australian small businesses — trades, retail, hospitality, professional services, and sole traders. It balances compliance frequency with manageable admin. Four returns per year is achievable without dominating your time, and the quarterly periods give you enough transactions to make each return meaningful.
If your annual GST turnover is under A$20 million and you haven't elected monthly reporting, quarterly is your default.
The downside
Quarterly lodgement means you're accumulating a GST liability for three months before paying it. This is manageable for most businesses, but it does require discipline — setting aside your GST as you earn it, rather than treating it as available cash.
Annual BAS
Annual GST reporting may be available to voluntarily registered businesses whose GST turnover is under A$75,000 (or A$150,000 for non-profits). Eligibility and payment arrangements depend on the business, so confirm them in the ATO's GST reporting-cycle guidance before choosing this option.
Who it suits
Annual lodgement suits very small businesses with simple finances and low turnover — a sole trader with minimal GST activity, for example. The reduced lodgement frequency means less admin, but the quarterly instalment payments still require cash flow planning.
The downside
Annual lodgement with quarterly instalments can be confusing — you're paying four times a year but only lodging once. It also limits your ability to adjust your GST payments if your income fluctuates significantly. Most small businesses with growing turnover find quarterly lodgement simpler in practice.
Comparing the three options
| Reporting period | Lodgements per year | Due date | Best for | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | 12 | 21st of following month | High turnover; frequent refunds | Required if turnover > A$20M; optional otherwise |
| Quarterly | 4 | Check the date on your BAS | Most Australian small businesses | Turnover under A$20M |
| Annual | 1 | Check the ATO guidance | Very small, simple businesses | Voluntary GST registration; eligibility applies |
Can you change your reporting period?
Yes — you can apply to the ATO to change your BAS reporting period if your circumstances change. The change typically takes effect from the start of a new tax period. Your accountant or BAS agent can help you apply, or you can do it directly through myGov or the ATO's Business Portal.
Common reasons to change include: your turnover has grown past A$20 million (requiring monthly), you want more frequent refunds, or you're simplifying your structure and want to reduce admin.
Late lodgement penalties
Late BAS lodgement can attract a Failure to Lodge penalty. Lodging by the applicable due date, even if you cannot pay in full, helps avoid that penalty. Check the ATO's current BAS guidance or contact the ATO if you cannot lodge or pay on time.
BAS lodgement with CashManager Cloud
CashManager Cloud supports preparing quarterly and monthly BAS figures for Australian businesses. When you set up your account, you configure your BAS period and the software tracks your GST position as you reconcile transactions. At the end of each period, your figures are ready for you to enter in myGov or provide to your BAS agent.
The GST Module (A$5/month) is required for BAS lodgement. It includes GST tracking, ATO-ready return figures, and support for both cash and accruals accounting basis.
For official rules and dates, refer to the ATO's BAS hub and GST reporting-cycle guidance.
If you're not sure which BAS period is right for your business, talk to your accountant or BAS agent — or call us on 1800 811 899 (Mon–Fri, 7am–4pm AEST) and we'll help you think it through.