Guide · updated November 2026

Letter of demand for an unpaid invoice: what to include

A letter of demand is the formal last step before a claim. It isn't a court document, but courts and tribunals expect to see that you sent one.

Include

• The debtor's exact legal name and ABN or ACN
• What you supplied, the invoice number, date and due date
• The amount owed (and contractual interest only if your terms allow it)
• A clear deadline, commonly 7 to 14 days
• Exactly what you'll do if they don't pay: file a claim in the named court or tribunal
• How to pay, and an invitation to raise any genuine dispute in writing

Don't

• Threaten things you won't or can't do (like police or credit bans)
• Contact them excessively: When chasing your own invoices, the ACCC and ASIC debt collection guideline still applies: no harassment or excessive contact (the guideline suggests no more than three contacts a week), no misleading threats (like saying you'll call the police, or that a court case has started when it hasn't), and contact only at reasonable times.

More: Unpaid invoice reminder emails that actually get paid · Recovering an unpaid invoice in NSW · Recovering an unpaid invoice in Victoria · QCAT minor debt claims for unpaid invoices · Can you charge interest on late invoices? · Payment plan agreements for overdue invoices · Statutory demands: a cautious explainer