For a small Australian shop, the POS does more than ring up sales. It produces the tax invoices your customers need, works out GST on every sale and gives you the figures for your Business Activity Statement (BAS). It should also be simple enough to run from a phone on a busy Saturday.
This guide covers what Australian small retailers should look for in retail POS software in 2026, with a checklist and answers to common questions.
GST in Australia: What Your POS Must Handle
- 10% GST: Most goods and services sold by GST-registered businesses include 10% GST, while some items, such as many basic foods, are GST-free.
- Tax invoices: GST-registered businesses must be able to issue tax invoices showing details such as the business's ABN and the GST included.
- BAS reporting: You report GST collected on your BAS, so period totals need to be easy to pull.
Rules and thresholds change, so confirm current requirements with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or your accountant before going live.
Key Features to Look For in an Australian Retail POS
1. GST-Inclusive Pricing and Tax Invoices
Set GST per product so taxable and GST-free items are handled correctly on one sale, and print tax invoices with your business details and GST shown.
2. Reports for Your BAS
Pull tax summary and sales reports by period, so you or your bookkeeper can complete your BAS without adding up receipts.
3. Inventory for a Small Catalog
Track up to 500 SKUs with barcode scanning, low-stock alerts and supplier purchase orders — the scale most independent Australian shops run at.
4. Loyalty and Customer Messaging
Reward regulars with loyalty points and birthday offers, and send updates by WhatsApp or SMS to compete with the big chains on service, not price.
5. Mobile-First Billing
Run your POS on any Android or iOS smartphone. RetaPOS is cloud-based and needs a stable Wi-Fi or 4G/5G connection.
How to Choose a Retail POS in Australia: Checklist
| What to check | Why it matters in Australia | RetaPOS |
|---|---|---|
| Per-product GST settings | Taxable and GST-free items on one sale | Yes |
| Tax invoices with your business details | Customers can claim GST credits | Yes, custom bill formats |
| Tax summary reports | Faster BAS preparation | Yes |
| Inventory for a small catalog | Accurate stock without complexity | Up to 500 SKUs |
| Loyalty and messaging | Repeat customers | Yes, via WhatsApp/SMS |
| Simple yearly price | No surprise add-ons | US$399/year, unlimited users |
RetaPOS for Australian Small Retailers
- Configurable GST with taxable and GST-free products on the same bill
- Custom tax invoice formats with your business details
- Tax summary, sales and profit reports
- Inventory for up to 500 SKUs with barcode labels and alerts
- Loyalty, birthday offers and WhatsApp/SMS campaigns
- US$399/year, billed in US dollars, with unlimited users
See RetaPOS for Australian retailers →
Australian Retail POS: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best POS system for a small business in Australia?
The best POS for a small Australian business handles 10% GST correctly, prints proper tax invoices, gives you reports for your BAS and manages inventory at small-shop scale. RetaPOS does this on a smartphone for US$399/year with unlimited users.
Can RetaPOS handle GST-free items?
Yes. GST is set per product, so GST-free items and taxable items can be sold on the same bill with GST calculated only where it applies.
How much does RetaPOS cost in Australia?
RetaPOS costs US$399/year per store, billed in US dollars, with all features and unlimited users.
Does RetaPOS work offline?
No. RetaPOS is a cloud POS and needs a stable Wi-Fi or 4G/5G connection.
Bottom Line
The best retail POS for a small Australian shop in 2026 gets GST and tax invoices right, makes BAS time easier and keeps regulars coming back. RetaPOS does this from the phone you already own. Also see our UK retail POS guide and Canada retail POS guide.
