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Security of Payment Guides for Australian Tradies

Plain-English guides for unpaid construction invoices, Security of Payment claims, state rules and trade-specific payment issues.

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State Guides

Find Security of Payment information for QLD, NSW, VIC, WA, SA, TAS, ACT and NT.

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Trade Guides

Guides for electricians, plumbers, concreters, carpenters, roofers, painters, tilers and more.

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Payment Claim Help

Learn how payment claims work, what evidence you need and when to take formal action.

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Latest Security of Payment guides

Trade Guides

The QLD BIF Act Explained Simply for Tradies

Queensland’s Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 — the BIF Act — is one of the most important pieces of legislation for tradies and subcontractors in...

3 min read · 03 Apr 2026 Read guide →
Tradie Payment Disputes

How to Deal with a Disputed Invoice as a Subcontractor

Receiving a disputed invoice from a head contractor is one of the most stressful and frustrating situations a subcontractor faces. You’ve done the work. You’ve sent the invoice....

3 min read · 03 Apr 2026 Read guide →
Trade Guides

Security of Payment for Electricians: A Complete Guide

Electricians are one of Australia’s most in-demand trades — and one of the most frequently underpaid on construction sites. If you’re an electrical contractor working on commercial or...

2 min read · 03 Apr 2026 Read guide →
Trade Guides

What Plumbers Need to Know About Getting Paid on Construction Sites

Plumbing on a construction site is demanding, technical work with a lot of financial exposure — materials are expensive, labour is skilled, and the work is often staged...

2 min read · 03 Apr 2026 Read guide →
Tradie Payment Disputes

Can a Head Contractor Withhold Payment for Variations?

Variations are one of the most common sources of payment disputes between head contractors and subcontractors. When a subcontractor performs additional work — work that wasn’t in the...

3 min read · 03 Apr 2026 Read guide →
Payment Claims

How Long Does a Security of Payment Claim Take?

“How long will this take?” is one of the first questions subcontractors ask when considering a Security of Payment claim. The answer depends on which state you’re in...

2 min read · 03 Apr 2026 Read guide →
State Guides

Payment Claims vs Tax Invoices: What’s the Difference?

Many subcontractors use their tax invoices as their “payment claim” under the Security of Payment Act — and many of them get it wrong. While a tax invoice...

3 min read · 03 Apr 2026 Read guide →
State Guides

How to Claim Retention Money Under the SOP Act

Retention money is one of the most contested and frustrating payment issues in Australian construction. Head contractors hold a percentage of your contract value — typically 5–10% —...

3 min read · 03 Apr 2026 Read guide →
Security of Payment Act

Security of Payment vs Going to Court: Which Is Better?

When a head contractor owes you money and won’t pay, you have choices. Two of the most common options are Security of Payment adjudication and going to court....

3 min read · 03 Apr 2026 Read guide →
Trade Guides

What Happens If a Builder Goes Silent on Your Invoice?

A builder who goes quiet on your invoice is one of the most stressful situations a subcontractor can face. You’ve done the work, submitted the invoice, and now...

3 min read · 03 Apr 2026 Read guide →

Security of Payment guides by state

QLD Queensland NSW New South Wales VIC Victoria WA Western Australia SA South Australia TAS Tasmania ACT ACT NT Northern Territory

Payment claim guides by trade

Electricians Plumbers Concreters Carpenters Roofers Painters Tilers Plasterers Landscapers Bricklayers Scaffolders Glaziers

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