What is the difference between a progress claim and a payment claim?

A progress claim is the commercial document you issue to claim payment for work done to date under a contract. A payment claim is the same document when it is made under Security of Payment legislation — it must include the prescribed wording to attract the Act's fast-track payment and adjudication rights. This generator produces a progress claim that includes the Security of Payment endorsement so it can serve as a payment claim.

What wording makes a claim a payment claim under Security of Payment?

In most Australian states the claim should state that it is made under the relevant Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act. For residential work in NSW the exact statutory endorsement is required. This generator adds a Security of Payment statement to the claim; confirm the precise wording for your state and contract type.

How is the amount payable on a progress claim calculated?

The amount this claim equals the value of work completed to date, less amounts already claimed in previous progress claims, plus GST, less any retention withheld. This generator does that calculation for you once you enter the contract value, the work completed and any retention percentage.

What can I do if a progress claim isn't paid?

If the respondent does not pay or does not issue a payment schedule within the statutory time, you can pursue the debt. Options include issuing a formal letter of demand, claiming the full amount as a debt, or applying for adjudication under Security of Payment legislation. A clearly worded payment claim is the starting point for all of these.

Progress Claim & Payment Claim Generator

Create a professional progress claim with the correct Security of Payment wording — GST, retention and the amount payable calculated for you. Free, instant, no sign-up.

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Written by Omead Musa, Consultant & Director
Updated June 2026 · General template — not legal advice

Your details (claimant)

Your business name *

Your ABN

Claiming from (respondent)

Head contractor / principal *

State / territory *

The project

Project / site *

Claim number *

The numbers

Total contract value (ex GST) *

% of contract completed to date *

Previously claimed (ex GST)

Retention (%)

Apply GST (10%)?

Your email (optional)

This generator produces a general progress claim with a Security of Payment statement. Statutory wording and timeframes vary by state and contract type — confirm the exact requirements for your jurisdiction. Not legal advice.

Get the progress claim right and you get paid faster

A progress claim is the most common payment document in Australian construction — and the most commonly disputed. When a claim is vague, mis-calculated, or missing the Security of Payment endorsement, it gives the respondent room to delay, short-pay, or ignore it. When a claim is clear, correctly totalled and properly worded, it starts a statutory clock that the respondent cannot simply wait out.

Under Security of Payment legislation, once a valid payment claim is served, the respondent generally must issue a payment schedule within a set number of business days or the full claimed amount becomes payable. That is a powerful position — but only if your claim qualifies as a payment claim in the first place. This generator builds in the endorsement and does the maths (work completed, less previously claimed, plus GST, less retention) so the amount payable is unambiguous.

If the claim still goes unpaid, you are not stuck. Our 2026 Australian Debt Collection Report shows the letter of demand is the highest-recovery, lowest-cost next step, and the construction debt recovery guide explains how a letter of demand and Security of Payment work together.

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