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Queensland Security of Payment Act Flowchart

How a payment claim moves through the Queensland security of payment process, from serving your claim to enforcing an adjudication decision. Find the step you’re at and check your deadlines.

You (claimant)Respondent (who owes you)AdjudicatorCourt
Step 1 · You

Serve your payment claim

  • On each reference date: the date in your contract, or the last day of each month you carry out work. One claim per reference date.
  • Within 6 months after you last carried out the work, or longer if your contract allows. Final claims can also be made up to 28 days after the defects liability period ends.
  • The claim must identify the work, state the amount and request payment.
Step 2 · Respondent

Respondent has 15 business days to serve a payment schedule

Or less if your contract says so. A schedule offering less than you claimed must give the reasons. The respondent can't add new reasons later. Failing to give a schedule can also lead to QBCC disciplinary action.

✓ Payment schedule served in time
If the schedule offers less than you claimed

Apply for adjudication

Within 30 business days of receiving the payment schedule.

OR, IF THE SCHEDULED AMOUNT ISN'T PAID BY THE DUE DATE
Scheduled amount unpaid

Recover it or apply for adjudication

  • Recover the unpaid scheduled amount as a debt in court, or
  • apply for adjudication within 20 business days of the due date.
  • You can also suspend work on 2 business days written notice.
✗ No payment schedule served in time
No schedule in time

Respondent owes the full claimed amount

If the respondent doesn't serve a payment schedule in time, they become liable to pay the full amount you claimed by the due date.

IF IT ISN'T PAID BY THE DUE DATE
Your options

Recover it or apply for adjudication

  • Recover the full claimed amount as a debt in court, or
  • apply for adjudication within 30 business days after the later of the due date and the last day for the schedule. No second notice is needed in Queensland.
  • You can also suspend work on 2 business days written notice.

A respondent who didn't serve a schedule in time can't lodge an adjudication response.

Step 4 · Adjudication

The adjudicator decides

  • Apply to the Adjudication Registry (QBCC) and give the respondent a copy within 4 business days.
  • The respondent can respond within 10 business days of receiving your application or 7 business days after the adjudicator accepts it, whichever is later. For complex claims over $750,000: 15 and 12 business days.
  • The adjudicator decides within 10 business days after the response date (15 business days for complex claims).
Step 5 · Respondent

Respondent must pay within 5 business days

After the adjudicator gives the respondent the decision, or by a later date the adjudicator sets.

Step 6 · Enforcement

Not paid? Turn the decision into a judgment

  • The registrar gives you an adjudication certificate within 5 business days of the decision.
  • File the certificate as a judgment debt in a court with jurisdiction, with an affidavit stating what is unpaid.
  • Enforce the judgment, for example with a garnishee order or an enforcement warrant. A respondent who applies to set it aside must pay the unpaid amount into court as security and can't re-argue the contract.
  • You can also suspend work on 2 business days notice until you're paid.

Simplified guide to the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 (Qld) as at April 2026. Your contract can shorten some of these times. General information only, not legal advice. Last reviewed October 2026.

Not sure where you're up to? Call 1300 732 687 or contact us and we'll tell you your deadlines.