16/10/2026
Payment dispute? There may be a faster way than going to court.
You have done the work and the invoice is overdue. With costs up and margins tight, the last thing a Sunshine Coast contractor needs is months of court and legal bills.
In Queensland, the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 gives you another option: adjudication.
Swipe through for what to know:
• No signed contract? You may still be covered. The Act recognises written, oral, and partly written and partly oral contracts.
• Your emails, quotes, pricing schedules, site records and photos can make or break your claim.
• Payment claims must be clear, and strict timeframes apply.
• A respondent generally cannot add new reasons for withholding payment that were not in their payment schedule.
• If an adjudicated amount still is not paid, it can be registered as a court judgment.
In a recent Queensland case, an electrical subcontractor with no single signed contract was awarded the full progress claim plus interest, and the other side was ordered to pay 100% of the adjudication fees.
Owed money for work you have done? Our Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team, including Jesse McCrea, can tell you whether adjudication is the right path for you.
Call 07 5444 1022
Email [email protected]
Read Jesse's full article at greenhalghpickard.com.au
General information only, not legal advice. Time limits apply.
