Add the debt and the date it fell due. We'll show you the interest you may be entitled to, what it's growing by each day, and exactly what it costs to recover — as fixed fees, not a commission.
Indicative only, and not legal advice. Whether you can charge interest — and at what rate from what date — depends on your contract or the statute that applies. The Victorian penalty interest rate is set under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983 (Vic) and published in the Government Gazette; verify the current rate before relying on any figure.
You keep 100% of what we recover. A solicitor cannot charge a percentage of a recovery — so we don't.
| Step | Fee |
|---|---|
| Automated remindersScheduled SMS and email nudges before anything legal happens. | Included |
| Solicitor's letter of demandOn our letterhead, with interest and a deadline. Most debts stop here. | $180 |
| Statutory demandCompanies only, debts of $4,000+. Non-compliance presumes insolvency. | $650 |
| Issue proceedingsA complaint in the Magistrates' Court. Filing fee extra. | $950 |
| Default judgmentIf no defence is filed, judgment without a hearing. | $450 |
| EnforcementOral examination, warrant, garnishee or attachment of earnings. | from $450 |
Professional costs, excluding GST and disbursements (court filing fees, service, searches). We give you a written costs disclosure before any work starts.
We'll come back with a fixed-fee quote for the next step — and tell you honestly if it isn't worth chasing.
Often yes — either because your contract or terms of trade say so, or under statute. Which applies changes the rate and the start date, so it is worth confirming before you demand it. This calculator uses the Victorian penalty interest rate as a starting point.
It is set by the Attorney-General under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983 (Vic) and published in the Government Gazette. It changes from time to time, so always verify the current rate before relying on a figure.
No. A solicitor is not permitted to charge a contingency fee — a percentage of the amount recovered. We charge a fixed fee for each step, and you keep 100% of what comes in. A collection agency taking 20% of a $50,000 debt costs you $10,000; our fixed fees to judgment are a fraction of that.
Often not. Below roughly $7,900 the fixed fees to get a judgment start costing more than the debt justifies, so we will tell you that rather than quote you litigation. For smaller and recurring debts a flat monthly Credit Control plan makes more sense.
In Victoria the limitation period for a simple contract debt is generally six years from when the debt fell due — but the date can move if the debtor acknowledges the debt or makes a part payment. If your debt is old, get advice quickly.