Guides
Workshop guides for Australian workshops
Straight talk on running the office and the floor — picking workshop software, switching systems, job cards, bookings, invoicing, accounting sync, and free calculators and templates. Written for shop owners and managers.
Choosing workshop software
Buyer’s guides for picking workshop software in Australia — what to look for, pricing and the main product types.
- Workshop software Australia: what to look forDiary, job cards, GST invoices, mechanic apps and local pricing — a practical buyer’s guide.
- Best workshop software in Australia (2026)An honest shortlist of workshop software options for Aussie shops, with published pricing where available.
- Mechanic software for Australian shopsWhat mechanic / auto workshop software should cover day to day on the floor and in the office.
- Workshop software pricing in AustraliaPer user, per bay or per plan — how workshop software is priced, plus SMS and extras.
- Garage management softwareDiary, job cards, invoicing and mechanic screens in one garage management system.
- Automotive software explainedScheduling, mechanic software, mobile mechanic tools, parts, diagnostics and DMS — which type you need.
Switching software
Alternatives, side-by-side comparisons and switch guides if you are moving from another system or spreadsheets.
- MechanicDesk alternativePublished price and feature comparison for Australian workshops looking past MechanicDesk.
- Workshop Mate alternativePublished pricing comparison and how Workshop Hub stacks up as a Workshop Mate alternative.
- Workshop software vs MechanicDeskPublished AUD pricing, users and features for Australian shops comparing the two.
- Workshop Hub vs MechanicDeskWorkshop Hub vs MechanicDesk: lower entry price, more logins included and built-in AI.
- Workshop Hub vs Workshop MateWorkshop Hub vs Workshop Mate: lower entry price, accounting sync included, free setup and built-in AI.
- Workshop Hub vs Workshop SoftwareWorkshop Hub vs Workshop Software (workshopsoftware.com): month-to-month billing, logins bundled, online bookings on every plan and built-in AI.
- Workshop Hub vs MecklyWorkshop Hub vs Meckly: lower starting price, free data import, built-in AI and marketing tools.
- Workshop Hub vs VEMASWorkshop Hub vs VEMAS: accounting sync from a lower tier, a full mechanic app and built-in AI.
- Workshop Hub vs Auxo WorkshopWorkshop Hub vs Auxo Workshop: lower entry price in AUD, MYOB and QuickBooks as well as Xero, and built-in AI.
- Workshop Hub vs ARIWorkshop Hub vs ARI (ari.app): AUD GST pricing, Australian accounting sync and a 14-day trial vs ARI’s published dollar plans.
- Workshop Hub vs Spanner ProWorkshop Hub vs Spanner Pro: AUD plans from $59 + GST, published inclusions, Xero sync and a 14-day trial.
- Workshop Hub vs TorqVoiceWorkshop Hub vs TorqVoice: AUD + GST cloud plans vs TorqVoice self-host and USD cloud pricing.
- Workshop Hub vs ModernDMSWorkshop Hub vs ModernDMS (MDMS): independent workshop plans from $59 + GST vs modular dealer DMS pricing.
- Workshop Hub vs PintoTechWorkshop Hub vs PintoTech: Solo from $59 + GST vs PintoTech’s published $99.99/month all-in plan.
- Workshop Hub vs Workshop HQWorkshop Hub vs Workshop HQ: published AUD prices, trials and inclusions.
- Workshop Hub vs MechAxisWorkshop Hub vs MechAxis: published AUD prices, GST, trials and plan inclusions.
- Workshop Hub vs MegabusWorkshop Hub vs Megabus Marlin: published pricing vs quote-only, trial vs demo, and what each site says.
- Switch from MechanicDeskMove from MechanicDesk to Workshop Hub with free data import.
- Switch from Workshop SoftwareSwitch from Workshop Software (formerly Autosoft) to Workshop Hub.
- Switch from Workshop MateSwitch from Workshop Mate to Workshop Hub: lower entry price from $59 + GST, accounting sync included, free customer import.
- Switch from spreadsheetsReplace workshop spreadsheets and paper job cards with Workshop Hub.
- Switch from MecklySwitch from Meckly to Workshop Hub from $59 + GST with free customer data import.
- Switch from ARIMove from ARI (ari.app) to Workshop Hub: AUD pricing with GST, Xero/MYOB/QuickBooks sync, free customer import, 14-day trial.
- Switch from Workshop HQSwitch from Workshop HQ to Workshop Hub: published AUD plans from $59 + GST, 14-day no-card trial, free customer import.
- Switch from MechAxisSwitch from MechAxis to Workshop Hub: published AUD + GST plans, Xero/MYOB/QuickBooks sync, free customer import, 14-day trial.
- Switch from MegabusSwitch from Megabus Marlin to Workshop Hub: published month-to-month AUD prices, 14-day no-card trial and free customer import.
Running your workshop
Job cards, labour pricing, bookings and invoicing — day-to-day guides for the office and the floor.
- Job cards for mechanics that actually get usedDigital job cards, checklists and a phone-friendly mechanic app that stick on the floor.
- Job card management softwareWhat a job card system should manage from booking to invoice, and when to move off paper.
- How to price labour in a mechanic workshopTrue costs, productive hours and target margin so your labour rate actually covers the shop.
- Workshop booking softwarePut online bookings in the diary and cut no-shows without a separate booking tool.
- Workshop invoice softwareGST tax invoices, parts and labour lines, and invoices that start from the job card.
- Mechanic invoicing softwareGST tax invoices from the job card for Australian mechanic workshops.
- Invoicing software in AustraliaTax invoice rules, invoices without GST, free options and invoice and quote software for small business.
- QLD safety certificates (roadworthies) for workshopsHow the AIS scheme, capped fees, validity and the 14-day reinspection window work for Queensland workshops.
- Pink slips (eSafety checks) in NSWHow AIS stations, capped fees, 6-month validity and the 14-day reinspection rule work for NSW workshops.
- Roadworthy certificates (RWC) in VictoriaHow licensed vehicle testers, 30-day currency, the 14-day recheck rule and RWC pricing work for Victorian workshops.
Accounting and integrations
Connecting workshop software to Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks without retyping every invoice.
Templates and free tools
Free calculators and printable templates — no sign-up. Numbers you type stay in your browser.
- Labour rate calculatorWork out break-even and charge-out hourly rates from wages, overheads and real efficiency.
- Job profit calculatorLabour and parts in, profit and margin ex GST out — for a single job.
- Service interval checkerCompare km and months since the last service against an interval you can edit.
- Missed call calculatorEstimate what unanswered calls could cost each month, using your own assumptions.
- Workshop software ROI calculatorEstimate admin time saved and extra income against the Workshop Hub plan cost.
- Free mechanic job card templateFree Australian job card template for mechanics: printable PDF with customer, rego, checks, labour, parts and approval.
- Free mechanic quote templateFree printable car repair quote template for Australian mechanics: labour, parts, GST, totals and customer acceptance.
- Free mechanic tax invoice templateFree Australian tax invoice template (PDF) for mechanics and small businesses: ABN, GST, labour, parts and payment details, plus a no-GST option.
14-day free trial — no card required