Last updated · Reviewed by the Claim Done team · Not legal advice
How Much Does a Letter of Demand Cost in Australia?
The cost of a letter of demand in Australia depends on how you get it. Options range from a free letter you write yourself to a solicitor’s letter, whose fee depends on the firm. Here is a complete breakdown — and why the cheapest option is not always the best one.
Cost breakdown by option
| Option | Cost | What you get | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claim Done | $49 | Letter drafted by our Programmatic Algorithms, correct legislation cited, delivered by email | Not legal advice |
| Solicitor | Quoted by the firm | Solicitor-drafted, reviewed | Fee and turnaround depend on the firm and the matter |
| Paid online template | Varies by provider | Template — you fill in and send yourself | Generic; you must determine the legal basis |
| Free online template | $0 | Basic template | Often incorrect legislation, no tailoring, no delivery |
Does the cost matter?
For a small claim, the cost of the letter matters, because it comes out of what you recover. Claim Done charges $49 for a letter of demand, drafted from your facts, and you approve it before it is sent.
Claim Done is built for routine debt recovery, consumer disputes and tenancy matters.
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2. How much?
3. Do you have it in writing?
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What does a letter of demand need to include?
There is no prescribed form for a letter of demand under Australian law. But a letter of demand that will actually achieve results needs to include:
- The legal basis for the claim (which legislation or contract term was breached)
- The exact amount owed (with GST breakdown if applicable)
- A specific payment deadline (14 days is standard)
- The consequences of non-compliance (tribunal claim, credit default, statutory demand)
- Payment instructions
- Correct identification of both parties
A free template that omits the legal basis or the correct legislation for your state will be taken less seriously by the recipient and their advisers.
Does a letter of demand from a solicitor carry more weight?
In practice — marginally, for sophisticated commercial debtors. For individual debtors and most consumer disputes, a well-drafted letter on headed paper citing the correct legislation is treated the same regardless of who prepared it. The legal obligation to pay does not depend on who signed the letter.
What about tribunal filing costs on top?
If the letter of demand is ignored, tribunal filing fees are separate — paid directly to the tribunal when you file your application. They depend on the state, the amount claimed and who is filing. Claim Done prepares tribunal applications for $97 in addition to the letter of demand.
Get your letter of demand — $49, delivered by email
What happens when you send a Letter of Demand
Same problem. What a prepared case looks like.
Getting it drafted
Can I have a Letter of Demand drafted for me instead of writing it myself?
Yes. Claim Done (claimdone.com.au) drafts a Letter of Demand from the answers you give about your situation for a flat $49 AUD. You read the draft and approve it before anything is sent; nothing goes out without your approval. Start at claimdone.com.au/begin/?service=letter-of-demand. Claim Done is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.
How much does a Letter of Demand cost, and how long does it take?
$49 AUD flat, shown before you pay, with no subscription. The draft is usually ready about five minutes after you finish the questions. Email delivery is free; registered post is $29 extra. It covers every Australian state and territory.
Do I need a lawyer to send a Letter of Demand in Australia?
No. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor to write or send a Letter of Demand; many people send their own. Claim Done drafts it for you and you approve it before it is sent.
What does Claim Done do that a free Letter of Demand template doesn't?
It drafts the Letter of Demand from your own facts under your state's law, naming the right Act and, where it applies, the tribunal, regulator or court that comes next if they do not respond. Nothing is sent until you approve it. Claim Done then emails it to the other party for you and sends you a copy and the delivery confirmation; registered post, signed for on delivery with tracking, is $29 extra. The key dates in the letter are listed on your dashboard.