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Debt & DisputesAustralia
Statement of Claim for a Debt (Australia)
When someone owes you money in Australia and will not pay, a statement of claim is how you start a case to recover it — but the court, the form, the small-claims limit and the time limit all depend on which State or Territory you are in. Our template is State-aware: choose your jurisdiction and it sets the right court (the NSW Local Court Small Claims Division, the Victorian Magistrates' Court, QCAT in Queensland, and the equivalents elsewhere), pleads the debt with itemised particulars, claims interest and costs, and sets out service, default judgment, the limitation period and enforcement.
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Statement of Claim — Recovery of a Debt
Plaintiff's Statement Of Claim For Filing In The Local Court Of New South Wales, In Its Small Claims Division · 11 June 2026
Harper Lane Joinery Pty Ltd
12 Forge Lane, Marrickville NSW 2204
0407 552 118
accounts@harperlanejoinery.com.au
11 June 2026
The Registrar
the Local Court of New South Wales, in its Small Claims Division
STATEMENT OF CLAIM — DEBT
Brightwater Cafe Group Pty Ltd · $14,820.00 · New South Wales
To the Registrar,
I, Harper Lane Joinery Pty Ltd (the plaintiff), claim from Brightwater Cafe Group Pty Ltd (the defendant) the sum of $14,820.00, being the price of goods or services supplied to the defendant and invoiced but not paid. This claim is brought in the Local Court of New South Wales, in its Small Claims Division, started by a Statement of Claim (UCPR Form 3B), filed through the NSW Online Registry. This statement of claim sets out the parties, the debt and its particulars, the interest and costs claimed, and the service, default-judgment, limitation and enforcement steps. It supports, and does not replace, the official a Statement of Claim (UCPR Form 3B), filed through the NSW Online Registry that must be filed with and sealed by the Court.
I, Harper Lane Joinery Pty Ltd (the plaintiff), claim from Brightwater Cafe Group Pty Ltd (the defendant) the sum of $14,820.00, being the price of goods or services supplied to the defendant and invoiced but not paid. This claim is brought in the Local Court of New South Wales, in its Small Claims Division, started by a Statement of Claim (UCPR Form 3B), filed through the NSW Online Registry. This statement of claim sets out the parties, the debt and its particulars, the interest and costs claimed, and the service, default-judgment, limitation and enforcement steps. It supports, and does not replace, the official a Statement of Claim (UCPR Form 3B), filed through the NSW Online Registry that must be filed with and sealed by the Court.
1.
THE PARTIES
Plaintiff: Harper Lane Joinery Pty Ltd
Address: 12 Forge Lane, Marrickville NSW 2204
Telephone: 0407 552 118
Email: accounts@harperlanejoinery.com.au
Defendant: Brightwater Cafe Group Pty Ltd
Address for service: Brightwater Cafe Group Pty Ltd
88 Marine Parade
Coogee NSW 2034
Court: the Local Court of New South Wales, in its Small Claims Division
Address: 12 Forge Lane, Marrickville NSW 2204
Telephone: 0407 552 118
Email: accounts@harperlanejoinery.com.au
Defendant: Brightwater Cafe Group Pty Ltd
Address for service: Brightwater Cafe Group Pty Ltd
88 Marine Parade
Coogee NSW 2034
Court: the Local Court of New South Wales, in its Small Claims Division
2.
THE DEBT CLAIMED
Amount claimed: $14,820.00
What the debt is for: Unpaid invoice — the price of goods or services supplied to the defendant and invoiced but not paid.
When it fell due: 28 March 2026
The defendant owes the plaintiff the sum claimed. It became due and payable on 28 March 2026 and, despite being owed, has not been paid.
What the debt is for: Unpaid invoice — the price of goods or services supplied to the defendant and invoiced but not paid.
When it fell due: 28 March 2026
The defendant owes the plaintiff the sum claimed. It became due and payable on 28 March 2026 and, despite being owed, has not been paid.
3.
PARTICULARS
The plaintiff designed, built and installed a custom timber fit-out for the defendant's Coogee cafe under a written quote accepted on 3 February 2026. The work was completed and the defendant took possession on 14 March 2026. Tax invoice INV-2026-118 for $14,820 was due on 28 March 2026 and remains unpaid despite reminders.
4.
PARTICULARS OF THE CLAIM
The agreement: The plaintiff and the defendant entered into the agreement giving rise to the debt on or about 3 February 2026.
The debt: The claim is for the price of goods or services supplied to the defendant and invoiced but not paid.
Itemised particulars:
1. Custom timber counter and shelving — supply and install (Quote Q-2026-44) — $11,200.00
2. Bench seating and timber wall panels — $2,900.00
3. Site delivery and installation — $720.00
How the debt arose: The defendant accepted the plaintiff's written quote Q-2026-44 on 3 February 2026. The plaintiff completed the fit-out and the defendant took possession on 14 March 2026 without complaint about the work. Tax invoice INV-2026-118 for $14,820, with 14-day terms, fell due on 28 March 2026. The plaintiff sent reminders on 14 April and 5 May 2026; the defendant has neither paid nor disputed the invoice.
The plaintiff demanded payment of the debt on 5 May 2026, and the defendant has still not paid. The claim is within the jurisdiction of the Local Court of New South Wales, in its Small Claims Division: a debt of $20,000 or less is heard in the Small Claims Division of the Local Court of New South Wales; from over $20,000 up to $100,000 it is heard in the General Division of the Local Court, and a larger debt belongs in the District Court.
The debt: The claim is for the price of goods or services supplied to the defendant and invoiced but not paid.
Itemised particulars:
1. Custom timber counter and shelving — supply and install (Quote Q-2026-44) — $11,200.00
2. Bench seating and timber wall panels — $2,900.00
3. Site delivery and installation — $720.00
How the debt arose: The defendant accepted the plaintiff's written quote Q-2026-44 on 3 February 2026. The plaintiff completed the fit-out and the defendant took possession on 14 March 2026 without complaint about the work. Tax invoice INV-2026-118 for $14,820, with 14-day terms, fell due on 28 March 2026. The plaintiff sent reminders on 14 April and 5 May 2026; the defendant has neither paid nor disputed the invoice.
The plaintiff demanded payment of the debt on 5 May 2026, and the defendant has still not paid. The claim is within the jurisdiction of the Local Court of New South Wales, in its Small Claims Division: a debt of $20,000 or less is heard in the Small Claims Division of the Local Court of New South Wales; from over $20,000 up to $100,000 it is heard in the General Division of the Local Court, and a larger debt belongs in the District Court.
5.
INTEREST AND COSTS
The plaintiff claims pre-judgment interest on the debt from 28 March 2026 to the date of judgment, at the rate fixed by the court's rules or the relevant practice note.
The plaintiff also claims the filing fee and the reasonable cost of serving this claim, and any other costs the court allows.
The plaintiff also claims the filing fee and the reasonable cost of serving this claim, and any other costs the court allows.
6.
SERVICE AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT
How this claim will be served: The plaintiff will serve the sealed claim on the defendant by post to the defendant's last known address.
The defendant's time to respond: the Statement of Claim is served on the defendant, who has 28 days to file a Defence; if no Defence is filed, the plaintiff may file a Notice of Motion for default judgment for the debt, interest and filing costs.
If the defendant does not respond: the plaintiff will apply for default judgment for the debt, the interest claimed and the filing and service costs, without the need for a hearing.
The defendant's time to respond: the Statement of Claim is served on the defendant, who has 28 days to file a Defence; if no Defence is filed, the plaintiff may file a Notice of Motion for default judgment for the debt, interest and filing costs.
If the defendant does not respond: the plaintiff will apply for default judgment for the debt, the interest claimed and the filing and service costs, without the need for a hearing.
7.
LIMITATION AND ENFORCEMENT
Time limit: under s 14 of the Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) an action on a simple contract debt must be commenced within 6 years of the cause of action accruing (a judgment debt runs for 12 years). The plaintiff says the cause of action accrued on or about 28 March 2026, so this claim is brought within the 6 years limitation period.
Enforcement of a judgment: if judgment is entered and the defendant still does not pay, a judgment is enforced through the Local Court by an examination notice or order, a garnishee order against wages or a bank account, or a writ for the levy of property by the Sheriff.
Note on enforcement: If judgment is obtained and remains unpaid, the plaintiff intends to seek a garnishee order against the defendant's trading bank account.
Enforcement of a judgment: if judgment is entered and the defendant still does not pay, a judgment is enforced through the Local Court by an examination notice or order, a garnishee order against wages or a bank account, or a writ for the levy of property by the Sheriff.
Note on enforcement: If judgment is obtained and remains unpaid, the plaintiff intends to seek a garnishee order against the defendant's trading bank account.
8.
RELIEF CLAIMED
The plaintiff claims:
1. The debt of $14,820.00.
2. Interest on the debt to the date of judgment.
3. The plaintiff's filing and service costs.
1. The debt of $14,820.00.
2. Interest on the debt to the date of judgment.
3. The plaintiff's filing and service costs.
9.
VERIFICATION
I, Harper Lane Joinery Pty Ltd, the plaintiff, believe that the matters set out in this statement of claim are true. I understand that the official sealed form filed with the Court may require a formal verification or statement of truth, and I will complete that as the court rules require.
CLAIMANT
Harper Lane Joinery Pty Ltd
Date: ____________________
Available as a print-ready PDF or an editable Microsoft Word (.docx) file.
What Is a Statement of Claim for a Debt?
A statement of claim is the document that starts a civil case to recover a liquidated money debt — an unpaid invoice, a loan that was not repaid, the price of goods or services, or money due under an agreement. In Australia, debt recovery is <strong>State and Territory procedure</strong>: the court or tribunal that hears the claim, the form that starts it, and the monetary limit of the small-claims path all differ. In New South Wales a debt of $20,000 or less is heard in the Small Claims Division of the Local Court on a Statement of Claim (UCPR Form 3B); in Queensland a debt up to $25,000 is a minor debt claim in QCAT; in Western Australia a minor case is limited to $10,000.
The single most important difference is the <strong>limitation period</strong> — the deadline to sue. For a simple contract debt it is <strong>6 years</strong> from when the debt fell due in every State and the Australian Capital Territory, but only <strong>3 years</strong> in the Northern Territory. Sue after the limitation period has passed and the debtor has a complete defence, whatever the merits. A written acknowledgement of the debt, or a part payment, restarts the clock — which is why a debtor's email promising to pay can be worth keeping.
Most debt claims are won by default. A defendant who is properly served and does not file a defence in time — 28 days in New South Wales and South Australia, 21 days in Victoria and Tasmania, as little as 14 days in Western Australia — hands the plaintiff a default judgment for the debt, interest and costs, without a hearing. A clearly pleaded claim with itemised particulars that add up to the amount claimed is exactly what lets a registrar enter that judgment, so the way the claim is drafted matters as much as the underlying debt.
What's Covered in This Template
A complete, State-aware statement of claim — the parties, the debt, the particulars, the interest and costs, and the procedural steps that follow.
State-Aware Court & Form
Choose your State or Territory and the document names the correct court and form — NSW Local Court (UCPR Form 3B), Victorian Magistrates' Court (Complaint), QCAT (Form 3) and the rest.
The Small-Claims Limit
Sets the small-claims threshold for your jurisdiction — $20,000 in NSW, $25,000 in Queensland, the ACT and the NT, $15,000 in Tasmania, $12,000 in South Australia, $10,000 in Western Australia.
The Parties Pleaded
Names the plaintiff and the defendant correctly — the full legal name and ABN/ACN for a company, so a default judgment can actually be enforced.
The Debt and Its Basis
States the amount, what the debt is for (invoice, loan, goods, services or agreement) and when it fell due — the core of any debt claim.
Expert: Itemised Particulars
A numbered breakdown that adds up to the amount claimed, tied to the contract or invoice — the particulars a registrar needs to enter default judgment.
Expert: Interest & Costs
Claims pre-judgment interest (at the contract rate or the court rate) and the filing and service costs, so they are included in any judgment rather than given away.
Expert: Service & Default Judgment
Sets out how the claim is served and the default-judgment route for your State, with the correct response period so a non-responding defendant cannot buy time.
Expert: Limitation & Enforcement
Confirms the claim is within the 6-year (3 in the NT) limitation period and sets out enforcement — examination, garnishee, seizure and sale.
Verification & Signature
A verification of the claim and a single claimant signature block, ready to support the official sealed form filed with the court.
How to Create a Statement of Claim
Five steps from an unpaid debt to a pleaded claim ready to file in your State.
- 1
Choose Your State or Territory
This sets the court, the form, the small-claims limit and the limitation period. Choose where the defendant is or where the contract was to be performed — get advice if they are interstate.
- 2
Name the Parties and the Debt
Enter the plaintiff and defendant with exact legal names, the amount owed, what it is for and the date it fell due.
- 3
Plead the Particulars (Expert)
Add an itemised breakdown of the debt, the agreement date, and any demand you have already made — the detail that makes the claim hard to defend.
- 4
Claim Interest, Costs and Set the Steps (Expert)
Add pre-judgment interest and your filing and service costs, set out service and the default-judgment route, and confirm you are within the limitation period.
- 5
File and Serve
Lodge the sealed form with the court (in NSW, through the Online Registry), serve it on the defendant the way the rules require, and keep proof of service.
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Legal Considerations
Debt recovery in Australia runs on State and Territory procedure and strict limitation periods.
This template provides general information for recovering a debt in Australia and is not legal advice. Court rules, fees and forms change, and a defended claim or a large debt may need a lawyer. For a complex claim, a disputed debt, or enforcement against a company, get advice — and check the current rules on your State court or tribunal website.
Reviewed for Australian law
The Right Court for the Amount and the State
Where a debt claim is heard depends on the amount and the jurisdiction. New South Wales uses the <strong>Local Court</strong> (Small Claims Division up to $20,000, General Division to $100,000); Victoria uses the <strong>Magistrates' Court</strong> (to $100,000, with claims under $10,000 sent to arbitration); Queensland sends minor debts up to $25,000 to <strong>QCAT</strong>; Western Australia uses the <strong>Magistrates Court</strong> (minor cases to $10,000); and the ACT and the Northern Territory send smaller debts to <strong>ACAT</strong> and <strong>NTCAT</strong>. The template selects the right forum from your State so the claim is filed in the right place.
The Limitation Period — 6 Years, or 3 in the NT
A simple contract debt must be sued on within <strong>6 years</strong> of the cause of action accruing under the limitation statute of each State and the ACT — the Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), the Limitation of Actions Act 1958 (Vic), and the equivalents. The <strong>Northern Territory is the exception</strong>: under the Limitation Act 1981 (NT) the period is only <strong>3 years</strong>. A debt sued out of time gives the debtor a complete defence, but a written acknowledgement or a part payment restarts the clock from that date — so keep any email or payment that admits the debt.
Service and Default Judgment
A statement of claim must be <strong>served</strong> on the defendant the way the court rules require, and the defendant then has a set period to file a defence — 28 days in NSW and SA, 21 days in Victoria and Tasmania, and 14 days within Western Australia. If no defence is filed, the plaintiff applies for <strong>default judgment</strong> for the debt, interest and costs, without a hearing. Bad service is the most common reason a default judgment is later set aside, so proof of how and when the claim was served is essential.
Related Australian Templates
A statement of claim is the formal court step; before filing, a letter of demand often resolves the debt — see our Australian demand letter. If the debt is a Centrelink overpayment, use our Centrelink debt dispute letter; if it is a consumer dispute about faulty goods or services, our NCAT consumer claim application is the right path; and if a bank or lender mishandled your money, our AFCA banking complaint sets the internal-dispute and AFCA route. For a company that will not pay an undisputed debt, a statutory demand is a separate option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start Your Debt Claim in the Right Court
Create a State-aware statement of claim in minutes: the correct court and form, the small-claims limit, itemised particulars, interest and costs, and the limitation and enforcement steps — in formal Australian format. Download the PDF free, or unlock Expert for the full particulars, interest, service and limitation sections.
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