SOP Deadline Calculator
Calculate Security of Payment deadlines for your construction claim. Get state-specific timelines for payment schedules, adjudication applications, and claim validity.
This tool provides general estimates only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, contact Vitt Legal for a consultation — expert, transparent legal advice.
How the calculator works
- You choose the state or territory where the work was done and who you are claiming from. Security of Payment laws are state-based, so the deadlines differ.
- From the date you served your payment claim, it counts forward the business days allowed for the payment schedule and the due date for payment, skipping weekends and any Christmas–New Year days the Act excludes.
- Depending on how the other side responded, it works out the last day to give a notice of intention (where one is required) and to apply for adjudication.
- Where a rule could not be confirmed from an official source, the calculator does not guess: it tells you to confirm that step with a lawyer.
Rules last checked .
Security of Payment deadlines by state
Maximum periods under each Act. A contract can shorten the payment schedule and due date periods. Adjudication periods run from the event shown.
| State | Payment schedule | Adjudication: schedule for less | Adjudication: no schedule | Claim time limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIC | 10 business days | 10 business days after receipt | Notice within 10 days of due date, 5-day second chance, then 5 business days | 6 months after practical completion (or contract, if later) |
| NSW | 10 business days | 10 business days after receipt | Notice within 20 days of due date, 5-day second chance, then 10 business days | 12 months after work last done (or contract, if later) |
| QLD | 15 business days | 30 business days after receipt | 30 business days | 6 months after work last done (or contract, if later) |
| WA | 15 business days | 20 business days after receipt | Notice within 20 days of due date, 5-day second chance, then 20 business days | 6 months after work last done (or contract, if later) |
| SA | Confirm with a lawyer | Confirm with a lawyer after receipt | Confirm with a lawyer | Confirm with a lawyer |
| TAS | 10 business days | 10 business days after receipt | Notice within 20 days of due date, 5-day second chance, then 10 business days | 12 months after work last done (or contract, if later) |
| ACT | 10 business days | 10 business days after receipt | Notice within 20 days of due date, 5-day second chance, then 10 business days | 12 months after work last done (or contract, if later) |
| NT | 10 working days | 65 working days after receipt | 65 working days | Set by the contract |
The rules in each state and territory, with sources
Victoria (VIC)
Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic)
- Which contracts
- The 2025 amendments (in force from 15 April 2026) apply to all construction contracts, including those signed before that date. Reference dates were abolished: a claim can be served from the last day of each month in which work was done.Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic), version 015 in force 24 June 2026
- Counting business days
- Business days exclude weekends, Victorian public holidays and 22 December to 10 January.Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic), version 015 in force 24 June 2026
- Time limit to serve a payment claim
- No later than the day before the latest of: the contract date, or 6 months after practical completion of all work (or supply of all goods and services). The calculator does not compute this because it runs from practical completion, not from each month's work.Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic), version 015 in force 24 June 2026
- Payment schedule
- 10 business days after the claim is served, or earlier if the contract requires.Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic), version 015 in force 24 June 2026
- Due date — claiming from the principal
- The contract date, but never later than 20 business days after the claim. If the contract is silent, 10 business days after the earliest day the claim could be served.Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic), version 015 in force 24 June 2026
- Due date — claiming from a head contractor
- The contract date, but never later than 20 business days after the claim. If the contract is silent, 10 business days after the earliest day the claim could be served.Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic), version 015 in force 24 June 2026
- Homeowner (owner-occupier) contracts
- The Act does not apply to a domestic building contract between a builder and a building owner (s 7(2)(b)). Owners and builders use the domestic building dispute process instead.Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic), version 015 in force 24 June 2026
- Adjudication — schedule for less than claimed
- Within 10 business days after you receive the payment schedule.Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic), version 015 in force 24 June 2026
- Adjudication — scheduled amount not paid
- Within 10 business days after the due date for payment.Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic), version 015 in force 24 June 2026
- Adjudication — no schedule and not paid
- Serve a notice of intention within 10 business days after the due date. The respondent then has 5 business days to serve a payment schedule. Lodge the application within 5 business days after that 5-day period ends.Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic), version 015 in force 24 June 2026
- Work done 1 to 21 December can be claimed from 22 December; work done 22 to 31 December can be claimed from 31 January.
- A copy of the adjudication application must be served on the respondent within 3 business days after lodging it.
New South Wales (NSW)
Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW)
- Which contracts
- For contracts signed on or after 21 October 2019, progress payments are no longer triggered by a reference date. Residential owner-occupier contracts are covered if signed on or after 1 March 2021. Older contracts follow the previous rules.Source: NSW Government — Changes to security of payment laws
- Counting business days
- Business days exclude weekends and public holidays. Whether any Christmas–New Year days are also excluded could not be confirmed from the Act (the NSW legislation site blocked access) — confirm with a lawyer for deadlines over the holiday period.Needs confirmation with a lawyerSource: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW)
- Time limit to serve a payment claim
- NSW Government guidance: you can claim for work completed in the past 12 months (or later if the contract allows).Source: NSW Government — Making a payment claim
- Payment schedule
- 10 business days after the claim is served (for owner-occupiers, the contract time or 10 business days, whichever is earlier).Source: NSW Government — Responding to a payment claim
- Due date — claiming from the principal
- Principal to head contractor: no later than 15 business days after the claim.Source: NSW Government — Changes to security of payment laws
- Due date — claiming from a head contractor
- Head contractor to subcontractor: no later than 20 business days after the claim (10 business days for residential building work).Source: NSW Government — Changes to security of payment laws
- Homeowner (owner-occupier) contracts
- Owner-occupier contracts: 10 business days after the claim if the contract does not say when payment is due.Source: NSW Government — Changes to security of payment laws
- Adjudication — schedule for less than claimed
- Within 10 business days after you receive the payment schedule.Source: NSW Government — Making a payment claim
- Adjudication — scheduled amount not paid
- Within 20 business days after the due date for payment.Source: NSW Government — Making a payment claim
- Adjudication — no schedule and not paid
- Give notice of intention within 20 business days after the due date. The respondent then has 5 business days to provide a schedule. Lodge within 10 business days after that 5-day period ends.Source: NSW Government — About security of payment
- The 15 and 20 business day periods are maximums: your contract can set an earlier due date.
- The claimant can suspend work after giving 2 business days' warning if the scheduled amount is not paid.
Queensland (QLD)
Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 (Qld)
- Which contracts
- The BIF Act replaced the Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 (now repealed). The old Act only continues for payment claims given before the BIF Act commenced.Source: Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 (Qld)
- Counting business days
- Business days exclude weekends, public holidays, 22–24 December, 27–31 December and 2–10 January.Source: Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 (Qld)
- Time limit to serve a payment claim
- Progress claims: within the longer of the contract period or 6 months after the work was last carried out (s 75(2)). Final claims have their own time limits.Source: Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 (Qld)
- Payment schedule
- 15 business days after the claim is given, or earlier if the contract requires (s 76). Not needed if the claim is paid in full by the due date.Source: Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 (Qld)
- Due date — claiming from the principal
- The contract date; if the contract is silent, 10 business days after the claim (s 73). Commercial building contracts cannot push payment past 15 business days, and construction management trade contracts and subcontracts past 25.Source: Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 (Qld)
- Due date — claiming from a head contractor
- The contract date; if the contract is silent, 10 business days after the claim (s 73). Subcontract payment terms longer than 25 business days are void.Source: Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 (Qld)
- Homeowner (owner-occupier) contracts
- Contracts with a resident owner for their home are generally excluded (s 61(2)(b)).Source: Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 (Qld)
- Adjudication — schedule for less than claimed
- Within 30 business days after you receive the payment schedule.Source: Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 (Qld)
- Adjudication — scheduled amount not paid
- Within 20 business days after the due date for payment.Source: Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 (Qld)
- Adjudication — no schedule and not paid
- Within 30 business days after the later of the due date and the last day a payment schedule could have been given. No notice of intention is needed.Source: Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 (Qld)
- Applications are made to the Adjudication Registry (QBCC), and a copy must be given to the respondent within 4 business days.
- A claim of more than $750,000 is a complex payment claim, which changes some adjudication response times.
Western Australia (WA)
Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021 (WA)
- Which contracts
- Applies to contracts entered into on or after 1 August 2022. Earlier contracts fall under the Construction Contracts Act 2004 (WA).Source: WA Government — Subcontractor payment disputes (Security of Payment Act)
- Counting business days
- Business days exclude weekends, public holidays and 22 December to 10 January.Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021 (WA)
- Time limit to serve a payment claim
- Progress claims: before the later of the contract date or 6 months after the work was last carried out (s 23(4)).Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021 (WA)
- Payment schedule
- 15 business days after the claim is made, or earlier if the contract requires (s 25).Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021 (WA)
- Due date — claiming from the principal
- Principal to head contractor: 20 business days after the claim, or earlier if the contract says so (s 20).Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021 (WA)
- Due date — claiming from a head contractor
- To a subcontractor: 25 business days after the claim, or earlier if the contract says so (s 20).Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021 (WA)
- Homeowner (owner-occupier) contracts
- Home building work: the contract date; if the contract is silent, 10 business days after the claim (s 20(3)).Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021 (WA)
- Adjudication — schedule for less than claimed
- Within 20 business days after you first become entitled to apply (when you receive a schedule for less than claimed).Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021 (WA)
- Adjudication — scheduled amount not paid
- Within 20 business days after the due date passes without full payment.Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021 (WA)
- Adjudication — no schedule and not paid
- Give written notice within 20 business days after the due date; the respondent then has 5 business days to provide a schedule. Apply within 20 business days after you become entitled to (s 28).Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021 (WA)
- A copy of the adjudication application must be given to the respondent within 1 business day after it is made.
South Australia (SA)
Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (SA)
- Which contracts
- Applies to contracts entered into after 10 December 2011. Whether later amendments have changed the timeframes below could not be confirmed — the current Act could not be opened. Confirm with a lawyer.Needs confirmation with a lawyerSource: SA Government (DPTI) guide note, updated February 2019
- Counting business days
- The 2019 Government guide says business days exclude weekends, public holidays and 27–31 December. Not confirmed against the current Act.Needs confirmation with a lawyerSource: SA Government (DPTI) guide note, updated February 2019
- Time limit to serve a payment claim
- The 2019 Government guide says 6 months after the work was last carried out (or the contract period, if later). Not confirmed against the current Act.Needs confirmation with a lawyerSource: SA Government (DPTI) guide note, updated February 2019
- Payment schedule
- The 2019 Government guide says 15 business days after the claim is served. Not confirmed against the current Act.Needs confirmation with a lawyerSource: SA Government (DPTI) guide note, updated February 2019
- Due date — claiming from the principal
- The 2019 Government guide says 15 business days after the claim if the contract is silent. Not confirmed against the current Act.Needs confirmation with a lawyerSource: SA Government (DPTI) guide note, updated February 2019
- Due date — claiming from a head contractor
- The 2019 Government guide says 15 business days after the claim if the contract is silent. Not confirmed against the current Act.Needs confirmation with a lawyerSource: SA Government (DPTI) guide note, updated February 2019
- Homeowner (owner-occupier) contracts
- The 2019 Government guide says the Act does not apply to domestic building work on premises the owner occupies. Not confirmed against the current Act.Needs confirmation with a lawyerSource: SA Government (DPTI) guide note, updated February 2019
- Adjudication — schedule for less than claimed
- Could not be confirmed from an official source — confirm with a lawyer.Needs confirmation with a lawyerSource: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (SA)
- Adjudication — scheduled amount not paid
- Could not be confirmed from an official source — confirm with a lawyer.Needs confirmation with a lawyerSource: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (SA)
- Adjudication — no schedule and not paid
- The 2019 Government guide describes a notice of intention within 20 business days after the due date and a 5 business day second chance. The application deadline could not be confirmed — confirm with a lawyer.Needs confirmation with a lawyerSource: SA Government (DPTI) guide note, updated February 2019
- South Australian timeframes could not be confirmed against the current Act, so the calculator does not compute South Australian dates.
Tasmania (TAS)
Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (Tas)
- Which contracts
- Tasmania still uses reference dates: one payment claim per reference date.Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (Tas)
- Counting business days
- Business days exclude weekends, Tasmanian statutory holidays and 27–31 December.Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (Tas)
- Time limit to serve a payment claim
- Within the later of the contract period or 12 months after the work was last carried out (s 17(6)).Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (Tas)
- Payment schedule
- Before the contract payment period ends or 10 business days after the claim, whichever is earlier. For a home owner who is not a building practitioner, 20 business days (s 19).Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (Tas)
- Due date — claiming from the principal
- The contract date; if the contract is silent, 10 business days after the claim (s 15).Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (Tas)
- Due date — claiming from a head contractor
- The contract date; if the contract is silent, 10 business days after the claim (s 15).Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (Tas)
- Homeowner (owner-occupier) contracts
- The contract date; if the contract is silent, 20 business days after the claim for a home owner who is not a building practitioner (ss 15, 19).Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (Tas)
- Adjudication — schedule for less than claimed
- Within 10 business days after you receive the payment schedule.Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (Tas)
- Adjudication — scheduled amount not paid
- Within 20 business days after the due date for payment.Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (Tas)
- Adjudication — no schedule and not paid
- Notify the respondent within 20 business days after the due date; they then have 5 business days to provide a schedule. Apply within 10 business days after that 5-day period ends (s 21).Source: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (Tas)
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2009 (ACT)
- Which contracts
- Amendments from 11 March 2024 let claims be made monthly (from the last day of each month in which work was done) and set a maximum payment term. They apply to construction contracts entered into on or after 11 March 2024; older contracts keep reference dates and the earlier payment terms.Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2009 (ACT), republication 14 effective 6 December 2025
- Counting business days
- The Act relies on the Legislation Act 2001 definition (weekends and public holidays excluded). That definition was not opened for this review — confirm holiday-period deadlines with a lawyer.Needs confirmation with a lawyerSource: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2009 (ACT), republication 14 effective 6 December 2025
- Time limit to serve a payment claim
- Before the later of the contract period or 12 months after the work was last carried out (s 15(5)).Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2009 (ACT), republication 14 effective 6 December 2025
- Payment schedule
- The contract time or 10 business days after the claim, whichever is earlier (s 16(4)).Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2009 (ACT), republication 14 effective 6 December 2025
- Due date — claiming from the principal
- The earlier of 15 business days after the claim or the contract date (s 13).Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2009 (ACT), republication 14 effective 6 December 2025
- Due date — claiming from a head contractor
- The earlier of 15 business days after the claim or the contract date (s 13).Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2009 (ACT), republication 14 effective 6 December 2025
- Homeowner (owner-occupier) contracts
- Contracts for insurable residential building work with a resident owner are excluded, to the extent they relate to the owner's home (s 9(2)(b)).Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2009 (ACT), republication 14 effective 6 December 2025
- Adjudication — schedule for less than claimed
- Within 10 business days after you receive the payment schedule.Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2009 (ACT), republication 14 effective 6 December 2025
- Adjudication — scheduled amount not paid
- Within 20 business days after the due date for payment.Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2009 (ACT), republication 14 effective 6 December 2025
- Adjudication — no schedule and not paid
- Notify the respondent within 20 business days after the due date; they then have 5 business days to provide a schedule. Apply within 10 business days after the earlier of the end of that 5-day period and the day you receive a schedule (s 19).Source: Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2009 (ACT), republication 14 effective 6 December 2025
Northern Territory (NT)
Construction Contracts (Security of Payments) Act 2004 (NT)
- Which contracts
- The NT uses a different model: the Act implies payment terms only where the contract is silent, and adjudication runs from when a 'payment dispute' arises. High value contracts (at or above the prescribed amount) may contract out.Source: Construction Contracts (Security of Payments) Act 2004 (NT), reprint as in force 25 May 2024
- Counting working days
- Working days exclude weekends, public holidays and 25 December to 7 January.Source: Construction Contracts (Security of Payments) Act 2004 (NT), reprint as in force 25 May 2024
- Time limit to serve a payment claim
- The Act sets no general time limit for serving a claim; the contract governs.Source: Construction Contracts (Security of Payments) Act 2004 (NT), reprint as in force 25 May 2024
- Responding to a claim
- If the contract is silent: a notice of dispute within 10 working days after receiving the claim (implied provision). Otherwise the contract governs.Source: Construction Contracts (Security of Payments) Act 2004 (NT), reprint as in force 25 May 2024
- Due date — claiming from the principal
- The contract date, but payment terms longer than 30 working days are read down to 30 (s 13). If the contract is silent, 20 working days after receiving the claim.Source: Construction Contracts (Security of Payments) Act 2004 (NT), reprint as in force 25 May 2024
- Due date — claiming from a head contractor
- The contract date, but payment terms longer than 30 working days are read down to 30 (s 13). If the contract is silent, 20 working days after receiving the claim.Source: Construction Contracts (Security of Payments) Act 2004 (NT), reprint as in force 25 May 2024
- Homeowner (owner-occupier) contracts
- How the Act applies to a homeowner's contract was not reviewed — confirm with a lawyer.Needs confirmation with a lawyerSource: Construction Contracts (Security of Payments) Act 2004 (NT), reprint as in force 25 May 2024
- Adjudication — schedule for less than claimed
- Within 65 working days after the dispute arises — here, when the claim is rejected or disputed (s 28).Source: Construction Contracts (Security of Payments) Act 2004 (NT), reprint as in force 25 May 2024
- Adjudication — scheduled amount not paid
- Within 65 working days after the dispute arises — here, when the amount is due and not paid in full (s 28).Source: Construction Contracts (Security of Payments) Act 2004 (NT), reprint as in force 25 May 2024
- Adjudication — no schedule and not paid
- Within 65 working days after the amount claimed falls due and is not paid in full (s 28).Source: Construction Contracts (Security of Payments) Act 2004 (NT), reprint as in force 25 May 2024
- In the NT the respondent's reply is a 'notice of dispute', not a 'payment schedule'. The calculator uses the same inputs for both.
What this calculator does not cover
- Public holidays. They are not skipped, so a real deadline can be a day or more later than shown.
- Earlier deadlines set by your contract, beyond the due date you enter.
- Final payment claims, performance security and retention claims, and adjudication responses.
- Contracts signed before the current rules started (see “Which contracts” for each state).
- Whether your payment claim or schedule is valid, or whether the Act covers your contract at all.
- South Australian dates, which could not be confirmed against the current Act.
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