Knowledge Base

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.

Start Your $79 Claim → Browse Guides
Fixed $79 per claim
No commission
Australia-wide
Built for construction payment claims
Already have an unpaid invoice?
Start your PayClaim online, upload your invoice and evidence, and only pay $79 when you're ready for PayClaim to prepare and serve your claim.
Start Your $79 Claim

Browse guides by topic

State Guides

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

View State Guides →

Trade Guides

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

View Trade Guides →

Payment Claim Help

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

View Payment Claim Guides →

Latest Security of Payment guides

Uncategorized

The 5 Most Common Reasons Subcontractors Don’t Get Paid

Not getting paid is one of the biggest threats to a subcontracting business. But non-payment rarely comes out of nowhere — there are patterns and recurring reasons that...

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

How to Write a Valid Payment Claim in Queensland

In Queensland, a valid payment claim is the foundation of your Security of Payment rights. Get it wrong and your claim may not trigger the BIF Act’s protections....

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

What is Security of Payment and How Does It Protect Tradies?

Security of Payment laws are some of the most important — and most misunderstood — pieces of legislation for Australian tradies and subcontractors. If you’re working in the...

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

5 Reasons Subcontractors Don’t Claim What They’re Owed (And How to Fix It)

The $3.2 Billion Problem Research consistently shows that Australian subcontractors lose over $3.2 billion in unpaid invoices every year. The Security of Payment Act exists specifically to fix...

2 min read · 31 Mar 2026 Read guide →
Payment Schedules

What Happens If a Head Contractor Ignores Your Payment Claim?

When a Head Contractor Goes Silent You’ve served a payment claim. The 10-business-day window has passed. Your head contractor hasn’t sent a payment schedule and hasn’t paid. What...

2 min read · 25 Mar 2026 Read guide →
State Guides

How to Write a Valid Payment Claim Under the Security of Payment Act

The Payment Claim: Your Most Important Document A payment claim is not just an invoice with different branding. It is a formal legal document that triggers statutory rights...

2 min read · 19 Mar 2026 Read guide →
State Guides

Can You Claim for Variations Under the Security of Payment Act?

Can You Claim Variations Under the SOP Act? Yes — With Conditions One of the most common questions from subcontractors is whether variation work can be included in...

2 min read · 12 Mar 2026 Read guide →
State Guides

What Is the Security of Payment Act? A Complete Guide for Australian Subcontractors

What Is the Security of Payment Act? The Security of Payment Act (often called the SOP Act) is legislation that exists in every Australian state and territory. Its...

3 min read · 11 Mar 2026 Read guide →
State Guides

Security of Payment Act NSW: Every Right Subcontractors Need to Know

Security of Payment Act NSW — Your Rights as a Subcontractor New South Wales was actually the first Australian state to enact Security of Payment legislation, passing the...

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

How Long Does a Security of Payment Claim Take in Australia?

The Timeline From Claim to Payment One of the biggest advantages of the Security of Payment Act is speed. Compared to court proceedings, which can take 1–3 years,...

2 min read · 28 Feb 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

Before debt collection

PayClaim is not a debt collection agency. For unpaid construction invoices, PayClaim may help you take a formal first step by preparing and serving Security of Payment claim documents.

Debt collection alternative for contractors Debt collection alternative for builders

Need to take action on an unpaid invoice?

Start your PayClaim, upload your invoice and evidence, and only pay $79 when you're ready for PayClaim to prepare and serve it.

Start Your $79 Claim → See How It Works