Create a Letter of Demand Online in Australia

A formal written request for someone to pay money owed or take a specific action, before you escalate to a tribunal or court. It sets out what's owed, why, and a deadline to resolve it — and it's usually the required first step before small claims tribunal will hear a dispute.

No — anyone can send one, and it's often more effective coming directly from you since it shows you're serious enough to act. A lawyer-signed letter can carry extra weight for larger or more complex debts, but for straightforward unpaid invoices or personal debts, a clear, properly structured letter is usually enough.

7 to 14 days is the most common window — long enough to be reasonable, short enough to show you're serious. Very small or straightforward debts sometimes use 7 days; more complex disputes might warrant a bit longer.

Email is generally fine and increasingly standard — what matters is that you can prove it was sent and received. Many people send both an email and a hard copy by post for larger amounts, simply to have two records.

It's not required, but registered post (or anything with delivery confirmation) gives you solid proof of delivery if the matter ends up at tribunal later. For smaller, straightforward amounts, email alone is usually sufficient.

If the deadline passes with no response or payment, your next step is typically lodging a claim at your state's small claims tribunal (thresholds and processes vary by state). The letter of demand itself is usually required evidence that you gave the other party a fair chance to resolve it first.

Yes — in most states, sending a letter of demand first is either required or strongly expected before a small claims tribunal will accept your case, since it shows you tried to resolve things directly first.

Copies of the original agreement or invoice, any related messages or emails, proof of delivery of the letter itself, and a record of any response (or lack of one). Keep everything together — it's exactly what you'll need if the matter goes to tribunal.

No — a letter of demand is simply a formal written request, not a legal filing, so there's no court or tribunal fee involved in sending one. Costs only come in later if the matter proceeds to a tribunal claim.

Yes — it can also formally request a specific action, like returning property, fixing a breach of contract, or stopping a particular behaviour. The same basic structure applies: what happened, what you're asking for, and a deadline to respond.