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Is It Legal to Charge Customers Interest on Unpaid Invoices & Debts in Australia?

is it legal to charge interest on an overdue invoice in australia
Let me set the scene for you. Imagine it’s Monday morning in Melbourne, the kind where coffee is less of a luxury and more of a lifeline. I’m sitting at my desk, scrolling through a long list of unpaid invoices for my clients. I don’t mean to sound dramatic, but if I had a dollar for every time someone asked me, “Can I charge interest on overdue invoices?” I’d have fewer unpaid debts to chase! 😅 So, let’s chat about it—because the answer isn’t just “yes” or “no.” It’s a bit more nuanced, but I promise to keep this as interesting as possible with such a subject.

My First Experience with Interest on Overdue Invoices

Let’s rewind to a few years ago. I was working with a client—let’s call him Pete. Pete ran a construction business and he recruited our Melbourne based debt recovery agency to help recoup some unpaid payments, and his issue wasn’t getting clients (he was amazing at what he did). The problem was getting paid on time. One client in particular was months behind on their invoice, but Pete felt too awkward to charge interest. I asked him, “Do you know you can charge interest on unpaid invoices, right? It’s completely legal, but there’s a process.” His jaw practically hit the floor. And that’s when I realised most small business owners have no idea how this works.

Is Charging Interest on Late Payments Legal in Australia?

Yes, charging interest on overdue invoices is legal in Australia—but (and this is a big “but”), it’s not as simple as just slapping an interest fee on an unpaid debt. You need to have your paperwork in order. That means your terms and conditions should explicitly state that you’ll charge interest on overdue accounts, along with the applicable rate. Without these terms clearly outlined—and agreed to in writing—you could run into trouble. For businesses like Pete’s (and maybe yours), this is where having strong payment terms in your contracts or invoices comes into play. Think of it as a friendly reminder to your clients that their payments are due, and if they forget, there’s a small financial consequence. Including a clause about default interest rates or late payment fees is critical for compliance with Australian Consumer Law and helps protect your rights if disputes arise.

How Do You Set Up Interest on Overdue Payments?

I won’t lie—this part takes a bit of effort, but trust me, it’s worth it. Here’s what you need to do:
  1. Include a Late Payment Clause in Your Contracts

Before you start work or deliver a product, make sure your contract or invoice clearly states that late payments will incur interest. This is non-negotiable if you want to stay on the right side of debt collection laws in Australia.
  1. Be Transparent About the Interest Rate

You can’t just pick a random number out of thin air (though I’ll admit, that would make life easier). The interest rate should be reasonable and based on either the Reserve Bank of Australia’s cash rate or a percentage you specify in your terms. Using contractual interest rates ensures clarity and avoids disputes later.
  1. Send Payment Reminders

Clients are human (mostly). They forget things, like deadlines. Sending polite but firm payment reminders before the due date can save you the awkwardness of escalating things later.
  1. Work with Professionals When in Doubt

If you’re unsure about setting up interest terms, consult a lawyer or a trusted debt recovery agency (shameless plug for yours truly 🙃). They’ll help you keep things above board while adhering to debt recovery laws in Australia.

What’s a “Reasonable” Interest Rate?

This is where it gets a little grey. In general, most businesses charge between 2% and 10% per annum on overdue accounts. If you’re in the construction or service industry, the rate might lean higher due to the risks involved. However, the golden rule is: don’t overdo it. Charging something crazy like 50% could land you in hot water with regulators. Also, remember to check industry standards. Many industries have recommended rates, and aligning with those will make your policy seem fairer to your clients. Having pre-agreed interest rates in place helps build trust and ensures compliance.

When Should You Consider Charging Interest?

Here’s the thing: not every overdue payment deserves an interest fee. I know—controversial opinion for someone in debt collection, right? But let me explain. If it’s a small business struggling with cash flow and they’ve communicated with you, maybe give them a break. However, if someone’s ghosting you or habitually late, charging interest on late payments sends a strong signal that you take payment terms seriously. It’s also a great way to filter out problematic clients in the future.

Is It Effective? My Honest Take

In my experience, the idea of interest on overdue invoices is less about the money and more about creating accountability. Most clients would rather pay the original invoice on time than deal with added fees. And when they know you have clear payment terms in place, they’re less likely to push boundaries. One of my clients—a local tradesman—told me that after he introduced late payment charges into his contracts, his overdue invoices dropped by 30%. It wasn’t magic; it was simply a case of setting clear expectations. What About Unpaid Debts? When Things Get Messy If a client refuses to pay—interest or no interest—what do you do? This is where debt collection comes in. In Australia, professional debt collectors (like us 🙋‍♀️) specialise in recovering outstanding payments. And yes, we always ensure compliance with Australian Consumer Law and Fair Debt Collection Practices. Engaging a debt recovery agency doesn’t mean you’re going full scorched-earth on your clients. It’s just about getting what’s rightfully yours while maintaining professionalism. If needed, you can explore legal options such as court action for debt recovery or hire debt collection lawyers for more complex cases.

Final Thoughts on Charging Interest for Unpaid Invoices

Charging interest on unpaid invoices is a legal and effective way to manage late payments in Australia. It protects your cash flow, ensures accountability, and reinforces professional boundaries. Just remember to:
  • Include clear payment terms in your contracts.
  • Use a reasonable interest rate.
  • Be transparent and fair in your communication.
And if things get out of hand, know that help is just a call away. At the end of the day, running a business is hard enough without chasing outstanding invoices. Don’t let unpaid debts keep you awake at night. Trust us, we’ve been there (and we at Bell Mercantile are here to help). If you’ve got genuine worries and concerns about any unpaid invoices, contact us or simply give us a call on +61 3 9596 9311, and we will be happy to chat over the options to help you recover what’s owed.  

Frequently asked questions

Yes, it is legal to charge interest on unpaid invoices in Australia, provided that the terms are clearly stated in the contract or terms of trade agreed upon by both parties.

The legal interest rate for overdue debts can vary, but a common reference is the penalty interest rate set by the Supreme Court of Victoria, which has been 10% since February 1, 2017. Additionally, for pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, rates can be calculated based on the Reserve Bank cash rate plus a specified percentage.

Yes, businesses can set their own interest rates for late payments as long as they are clearly outlined in the contract or terms of trade. However, it is essential to ensure that these rates comply with relevant laws and regulations.

The Australian Consumer Law does not specifically regulate charging interest on debts; however, it does require that all terms and conditions, including those related to interest charges, be fair and transparent.

Yes, there may be different rules and considerations when charging interest to businesses compared to consumers. The ACL provides additional protections for consumers, so terms must be fair and not misleading when dealing with individual consumers.

A contractual interest rate is an agreed-upon rate specified in a contract for late payments. In contrast, a default interest rate typically applies when a payment is overdue and may be higher than the contractual rate as a penalty for non-payment.

Backdating interest charges on overdue invoices is generally not permissible unless explicitly stated in the contract. It is important to ensure that all terms regarding interest are communicated clearly and agreed upon at the outset.

Yes, including an interest clause in your contracts or terms of trade is advisable. This clause should specify the applicable interest rate for late payments and any conditions under which it applies.

An interest clause should include the applicable interest rate for overdue payments, how it will be calculated (simple or compound), when it starts accruing, and any conditions or exceptions that may apply.

To calculate simple interest on overdue invoices, use the formula: Interest = Principal × Rate × Time. For compound interest, use the formula: A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt), where A is the amount of money accumulated after n years, including interest; P is the principal amount; r is the annual interest rate; n is the number of times that interest is compounded per year; and t is the time in years.

Acceptable payment terms can vary but typically range from 14 to 30 days from the date of invoice. Offering early payment discounts can also encourage timely payments.

Yes, you can charge both late payment fees and interest on overdue invoices if these charges are clearly stated in your contract or terms of trade. However, ensure that they comply with relevant laws.

If a customer refuses to pay the agreed-upon interest charges, you may need to remind them of the contractual obligations. If disputes persist, consider engaging a debt recovery agency or seeking legal advice.

Yes, you can waive interest charges at your discretion as a gesture of goodwill. However, it’s important to document this decision to avoid confusion in future transactions.

You should start the debt collection process as soon as an invoice becomes overdue. Early intervention often leads to better recovery outcomes.

The first steps include sending a polite reminder email or letter about the overdue invoice. If there’s no response, follow up with a phone call to discuss any issues they might have regarding payment.

Consider engaging a debt recovery agency or solicitor if your attempts at collection have been unsuccessful after multiple follow-ups or if you are dealing with larger debts that require legal expertise.

Costs associated with debt recovery can include administrative expenses for sending reminders and letters, fees charged by debt recovery agencies (usually a percentage of recovered amounts), and legal fees if court action is necessary.

In some cases, you may recover costs associated with debt collection from the debtor if this was stipulated in your contract or if allowed under relevant legislation.

Your legal options include sending formal letters of demand, initiating court proceedings for small claims or larger debts, using mediation services, or engaging professional debt recovery agencies.

Internal debt collection involves managing overdue accounts within your own business using your staff. External debt collection involves hiring third-party agencies that specialize in recovering debts on your behalf.

Ethical debt collection practices include treating debtors fairly and respectfully, providing accurate information about debts owed, avoiding harassment tactics, and complying with all relevant laws governing debt collection practices.

Yes, some industries may have specific regulations regarding charging interest on overdue invoices. It’s important to review industry-specific guidelines and legislation that may apply.

Yes, you can charge interest on overdue progress payments in the construction industry if this has been agreed upon in your contract or under relevant legislation such as SOPA (Security of Payment Act).

The rules generally mirror those applicable to larger businesses but ensure compliance with consumer protection laws under ACL when dealing with small businesses classified as consumers under certain circumstances.

If your customer declares bankruptcy, you may become an unsecured creditor and will likely need to submit a claim through bankruptcy proceedings. Recovery may be limited depending on available assets.

Whether you can charge interest on debts subject to a payment plan depends on what was agreed upon during negotiations. Ensure any such terms are documented clearly within your agreement.

Charging interest encourages timely payments from clients by providing an incentive for them to pay promptly. This practice helps maintain steady cash flow and reduces delays caused by late payments.

Potential risks include damaging client relationships if they perceive charges as excessive or unfair. It’s essential to communicate clearly about any charges upfront to mitigate misunderstandings and maintain good strong client relationships with debtors.

Preventing late payments involves setting clear payment terms upfront, sending timely reminders before due dates, maintaining open communication with clients regarding their accounts, and offering incentives for early payments.

Penalties for charging excessive interest may include fines or legal action against the creditor, as well as potential damages to their reputation within the industry.

More information about Australian debt collection laws can be found through government websites, legal firms specializing in commercial law, and professional associations representing debt collectors.

ASIC regulates financial services and consumer protection laws, ensuring that debt collection practices are fair and transparent while providing guidance on compliance with relevant legislation.

The Competition and Consumer Act 2010 provides frameworks for fair trading and consumer protection, ensuring debt collectors adhere to fair practices when interacting with debtors. These answers provide comprehensive insights into various aspects of charging interest on unpaid invoices and related debt recovery practices within Australia while addressing common questions that individuals may have regarding this critical area.

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