Last updated 2 October 2026 · Reviewed by the Claim Done team · Not legal advice

Letter of Demand for Unpaid Invoice Australia | Claim Done

An unpaid invoice is a breach of contract. A letter of demand is the formal first step to getting paid — before a tribunal application or court claim. Claim Done generates a professional letter of demand for unpaid invoices and sends it by email. From $49.

Start your letter of demand — $49

What to include in an unpaid invoice letter of demand

1. Invoice reference and date — quote the invoice number, the services provided, and the original due date
2. Amount owed — the exact outstanding balance including any agreed payment terms
3. Legal basis — breach of the contract or agreement; for consumer transactions, the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2, Competition and Consumer Act 2010)
4. Payment deadline — 14 days from the date of this letter (state the specific date)
5. Consequences — tribunal application, credit default listing, or court proceedings

When to send a letter of demand for an unpaid invoice

• The payment is overdue by at least 14–30 days
• You have already sent informal reminders (email, phone) that have been ignored
• You want to create a formal legal record before escalating
• The other party is a business, individual, or sole trader (for company debtors with $4,000+ owing, consider a statutory demand instead)

What the law says about unpaid invoices in Australia

When you provide services under a contract (written or oral) and the other party fails to pay, they are in breach of contract. Under the Australian Consumer Law, consumers must pay for services that were provided as agreed. For business-to-business transactions, the contract terms govern the obligation to pay.

In most states, you can file a tribunal claim for unpaid invoices up to $25,000–$100,000 without legal representation. An ignored letter of demand is useful evidence when you file.

How long before you can take legal action?

Once you have sent a letter of demand with a 14-day deadline and the deadline passes without payment, you can file a tribunal application the following business day. You do not need to wait beyond the stated deadline.

Unpaid invoice letter of demand — $49, done in about 5 minutes

Claim Done generates a professional letter of demand from your invoice details and delivers it to the debtor by email — citing the applicable law, setting a firm 14-day deadline, and specifying the consequences of non-payment.

Start your letter of demand now