SECURITY OF PAYMENT Services
News
Specialist Building & Construction Debt Collection Company
Victoria’s security of payment overhaul is now in force
Since 15 April 2026 Victorian contractors can claim every month, reference dates are gone, and you have up to 6 months after practical completion to serve a payment claim. The changes also apply to contracts signed before April. If you were told you had missed out under the old 3-month rule, it may be worth another look.
Where each state stands: October 2026
Security of payment deadlines are short and they differ from state to state. Here are the key timeframes under each state’s Act as it stands today.
| State | When you can claim | Last time to claim* | Payment schedule due |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Monthly, from the last day of each month | 12 months after you last did the work | 10 business days |
| Victoria | Monthly, from the last day of each month (reference dates abolished 15 April 2026) | 6 months after practical completion | 10 business days |
| Queensland | On each reference date (usually the last day of the month) | 6 months after you last did the work | 15 business days |
| ACT | Monthly, from the last day of each month (since 11 March 2024) | 12 months after you last did the work | 10 business days |
| South Australia | On each reference date (usually the last day of the month) | 6 months after you last did the work | 15 business days |
| Tasmania | On each reference date (usually the last day of the month) | 12 months after you last did the work | 10 business days (20 for some home owners) |
| Western Australia | Monthly, from the last day of each month (contracts from 1 August 2022) | 6 months after you last did the work | 15 business days |
| Northern Territory | When the contract allows, or any time after work is done if the contract says nothing | No set claim deadline, but you must apply for adjudication within 65 working days after a payment dispute arises | No payment schedule. If the contract says nothing, a notice of dispute is due within 10 working days |
* Or a later date if your contract allows. Final claims can have different time limits. If the respondent doesn’t provide a payment schedule on time, there is usually a short notice step before you can apply for adjudication, except in Queensland. General information only, not legal advice. Last reviewed October 2026.
RECOUP Insights
Check with us before you serve an INVALID claim and lose your entitlement.
Recent Recoveries
Southern Infrastructure & Hire Pty Ltd
Bellview Holdings Pty Ltd
Exell Properties Pty Ltd
EQ Constructions Pty Ltd
Simmons Civil Contracting Pty Ltd
Smart Capital Group Pty Ltd
Pinnacle Commercial Interiors
M&T Developments Pty Ltd
Solomon Construction Pty Ltd
Luxmile Group Pty Ltd
Makland Constructions Pty Ltd
Newtown Constructions Pty Ltd
New South Wales Security Of Payments Act
For contracts signed since 21 October 2019, NSW has no reference dates. You can serve a payment claim on and from the last day of each month you work, for up to 12 months after you last did the work. The respondent has 10 business days to reply with a payment schedule.
CAUTION: When & How you prepare & serve Security Of Payments Act Payment Claims is critical to success at adjudication.
Read more about the NSW Security Of Payment Act…
Security Of Payments Act NSW Flowchart here – assess your progress
Victoria Security Of Payments Act 2002: new rules from 15 April 2026
Victoria’s Act was overhauled on 15 April 2026. Reference dates are gone, so you can claim on and from the last day of each month you work, and you have until 6 months after practical completion to serve a payment claim (or a later date if your contract allows).
The respondent has 10 business days to reply with a payment schedule. “Excluded amounts” have also been abolished, so variations that used to be knocked out can now be claimed.
The new rules apply to contracts signed before 15 April 2026 too.
Get Started Now Bank Your Money Sooner
Security Of Payments Act VIC Flowchart here – assess your progress
Subscribe to our Newsletter & stay informed.
Queensland BIF Act
Building & Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 QLD has been repealed and replaced by the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017. You no longer lodge Adjudication Applications with Authorised Nominating Authorities. You can lodge through RECOUP. Learn why you need a Reference Date to Claim. Read more…
Lodge BIF Adjudication Applications here. Do not risk serving an invalid claim. You only get one chance in QLD.
Obligation free evaluation of your claim
Security Of Payments Act Success Rate
In April–June 2025, around 9 in 10 NSW adjudication determinations awarded the claimant money (Building Commission NSW adjudication statistics). RECOUP has a 98% success rate. This makes Security of Payment & RECOUP Contractor Debt Recovery a strong choice to recover the money you are owed for building & construction work.
Claim Variations & Retentions
Claiming Variations is an art in itself. Understanding your Contract or Agreement is the most important fundamental to master so you can ensure you don’t miss out on your entitlement Read more here…
The same fundamentals apply to claiming Retentions and as for both timing is everything: Read more here…
Security Of Payments Act NSW Payment Withholding Requests increase success.
Select your state
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- Victoria
- Australian Capital Territory
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Western Australia
- Security Of Payments Act Australia Wide
- Security Of Payments Act NSW Head Office
improve
your
bottom
line
Give New Life To Your Project And Contract Administration Processes And Reap The Results
Use our simple, easy to follow structures and processes to get paid more for your work and minimise the risk of delayed payment and even non payment.