Guides & Resources
No legal jargon — just clear answers to the questions we hear most from contractors, subcontractors and suppliers across NSW.
New to the Act, or need a refresher on how the whole process fits together? Start here.
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The Act gives claimants a real lever besides adjudication: the right to stop work when they're not being paid. Here's how to use it safely.
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A determination is a strong result on paper. An adjudication certificate is what actually lets you enforce it like a court judgment.
adjudication-certificates-explained
Adjudication is faster and cheaper than court, but it isn't free. Here's how adjudicator fees actually work and who ends up paying them.
adjudicator-fees-explained
Been served with an adjudication application? Your response window is short and generally limited to what you already raised in your payment schedule.
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Once you're eligible to adjudicate, the strength of your application is what decides the outcome. Here's what actually goes into a strong one.
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A little-known mechanism lets a party further up the chain withhold money owed to a contractor who owes an unpaid subcontractor. Here's how it works.
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If a respondent misses the payment schedule deadline entirely, claimants have an extra step available before going to adjudication. Here's how it works.
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A payment schedule that doesn't meet the Act's requirements can be treated as no schedule at all. Here's what it actually needs.
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A defective payment claim can cost you the right to adjudicate. These are the mistakes we see most often, and how to avoid them.
common-mistakes-that-invalidate-a-payment-claim
Head contractors carry an extra obligation subcontractors don't: a supporting statement declaring subbies have been paid. Get it wrong and it's a criminal offence.
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The due date drives interest, suspension rights and every deadline after it. Here's how to work it out correctly.
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Subcontractors, suppliers, and head contractors all sit differently under the Act. Here's a plain-English overview of who's covered.
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An adjudication determination is enforceable like a judgment debt. Here's how enforcement actually works.
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Adjudication is built for speed compared to litigation. Here's the realistic timeline.
how-long-does-adjudication-take
Miss the deadline to respond to a payment claim and you become liable for the full amount. Here's what the timeframe actually is.
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The document that starts the clock on your right to be paid — what it needs to include and when you can serve one.
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