Chasing money is the worst part of being on the tools. You don't want to be the pushy tradie, but you also can't be thousands out of pocket funding someone else's cashflow. The trick is a calm, staged escalation: friendly first, firmer only if they keep ignoring you. Tone does most of the work.
First, make it easy to pay you
Half of late payments are just friction. Before you ever have to chase, stack the deck: invoice the day the job is done, put clear payment terms on every invoice (e.g. 7 or 14 days), include your bank details or a payment link right there, and take a deposit up front on bigger jobs. The easier and faster you make paying, the less chasing you do.
Stage 1 — The friendly nudge (day it's due)
Assume they simply forgot — because usually they did. Keep it warm and short.
Stage 2 — The firm reminder (~7 days over)
Still polite, but now clear and direct. Reference the original due date and ask for a specific action.
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Tells you exactly what to say based on how overdue the invoice is — drafts the reminder for you so you don't have to rewrite the awkward wording every time.
Open the free toolStage 3 — The final notice (~14 days over)
Firm, professional, and it names the next step. You are not threatening — you are being clear about consequences.
Can you charge late fees?
In Australia you can charge late-payment fees or interest if you set them out in your terms before the work — on your quote and invoice. They need to be reasonable and agreed; you can't invent a penalty after the fact. The best move is to state your terms up front (e.g. “accounts overdue past 14 days may incur a late fee”) so it's already agreed if you ever need it.
When they still won't pay
- Letter of demand. A formal written demand stating the amount, the work, and that you'll pursue recovery. Often enough on its own.
- Payment plan. If they're genuinely struggling, a short instalment plan beats getting nothing.
- Small claims tribunal. Each state has a low-cost tribunal for debt disputes — keep every invoice, message and job record.
- Debt collector. A last resort for larger amounts; they take a cut.
Whatever stage you reach, keep it factual and keep records. Emotion is what turns a recoverable debt into a drawn-out blue.
Frequently asked questions
Start friendly: assume they simply forgot. A short, warm reminder with the invoice number, amount and due date works for most late payers. Escalate the firmness only if they keep ignoring you.
Yes, if you set it out in your terms before the work — for example on your quote or invoice. Late-payment fees or interest must be reasonable and agreed. Without agreed terms, charging a fee is harder to enforce.
Send a friendly reminder the day after it falls due, a firmer one about 7 days overdue, and a final notice around 14 days. Consistent, prompt follow-up gets you paid faster than long silences.
Options before legal action include a formal letter of demand, a payment plan, or mediation. For larger debts you can escalate to a small claims tribunal in your state. Keep every invoice, message and record of the work.
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