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QLD Security of Payment BIF Act

Get paid for your construction work in Queensland

In Queensland, security of payment is governed by the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 (the BIF Act). It replaced the old Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004. It gives anyone who carries out construction work, or supplies related goods and services, a legal right to progress payments and a fast, low-cost way to recover what they’re owed.

SECURITY OF PAYMENT Services prepares and serves payment claims and adjudication applications for contractors, subcontractors and suppliers across Queensland, with a 98% success rate.

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Who the Act covers

The BIF Act covers construction contracts for work in Queensland, whether written, verbal or a mix. That includes head contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and consultants. It does not cover a domestic building contract with a resident owner for the home they live in or plan to live in. Subcontractors on those jobs are still covered.

Key time frames

  • Reference dates: you can claim on the date your contract sets. If it doesn’t set one, you can claim on the last day of each month in which you work. You can make one payment claim for each reference date.
  • Time limit: you must give a claim within 6 months after the work was last carried out, or within any longer period your contract allows. Final claims have their own, longer time limits.
  • Supporting statement: head contractors who have subcontractors must include a supporting statement with their claim.
  • Payment schedule: the respondent has 15 business days after receiving your claim to give a payment schedule (or less if the contract says so). If they don’t, they become liable for the full amount claimed.
  • Due date: payment is due when the contract says. If the contract is silent, it’s 10 business days after the claim. Interest runs on late payments.

Applying for adjudication

Queensland has no “second notice” step. Applications go to the QBCC Adjudication Registry. You can apply if:

  • the payment schedule offers less than you claimed — apply within 30 business days after you receive it;
  • the respondent doesn’t pay the scheduled amount — apply within 20 business days after the due date; or
  • no payment schedule is given and the claim isn’t paid — apply within 30 business days after the later of the due date or the last day for giving a schedule.

You must give the respondent a copy of the application and submissions within 4 business days after you apply.

A winning application depends on getting the timing right and putting together a strong written submission backed by solid evidence. We prepare, lodge and serve the whole application for you, and handle any requests for further submissions.

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After the determination

The respondent must pay the adjudicated amount within 5 business days, or a later date the adjudicator sets. If they don’t, you can get an adjudication certificate and file it in court as a judgment debt, then enforce it. We handle every step from claim to enforcement and debt collection.

Going to court instead

You can also sue for the unpaid amount as a debt. Before you start court proceedings, you must give the respondent a warning notice. You must give it no later than 30 business days after the due date, and then wait 5 business days. In Queensland, the Magistrates Court hears claims up to $150,000 and the District Court up to $750,000. Larger claims go to the Supreme Court.

Useful links

Need help?

Call or contact us and we’ll walk you through your options.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Timeframes depend on your contract. Last reviewed October 2026.