---
title: "Prepare a Queensland payment schedule, or count the section 79 adjudication window"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/construction-and-infrastructure/draft-the-payment-schedule-and-adjudication-response/queensland"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A11-SOP-QLD-2"
practice_area: "Construction & Infrastructure"
tier: "red"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["QLD"]
last_reviewed: "2026-09-23"
---

# Prepare a Queensland payment schedule, or count the section 79 adjudication window

> Extract the day the payment claim was given, the contract schedule clause, the claimed amount and any schedule already served into a dated table.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/construction-and-infrastructure/draft-the-payment-schedule-and-adjudication-response/queensland  
Last reviewed: 2026-09-23

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Construction & Infrastructure](https://ailawframework.com/practice/construction-and-infrastructure.md) |
| Human involvement | Red: Lawyer writes; AI may check, clarify or collect data |
| How AI is used | Extract the day the payment claim was given, the contract schedule clause, the claimed amount and any schedule already served into a dated table. |
| What the lawyer must review | Set the scheduled amount and reasons, or identify the section 79 window Approve the document that is given Do not let the dated table choose the window |
| Written for | Queensland |
| Applies to | [Draft the payment schedule and adjudication response](https://ailawframework.com/practice/construction-and-infrastructure/draft-the-payment-schedule-and-adjudication-response.md) |

## Checking plan

**Lawyer-led judgement**

Section 76 requires a payment schedule within the contract period or 15 business days, whichever ends first, unless the claim is paid in full by the due date. Section 79 then sets three different adjudication windows. The QBCC page adds a 5.00pm lodgement cut-off.

- What the AI does: Extract the day the payment claim was given, the contract schedule clause, the claimed amount and any schedule already served into a dated table.
- What the lawyer does: Choose the scheduled amount and every withholding reason, or identify which section 79 window applies, and approve the document that is given.
- Who reviews: Lawyer competent in the matter and this security-of-payment statute
- Basis: Read on 22 September 2026 from the Queensland reprint current from 28 May 2026, the Western Australian compilation, the South Australian authorised PDF marked version 10.12.2011, the Northern Territory reprint as in force at 25 May 2024, and the linked government pages. Confirm the instrument is still current.
- Why: The traffic light follows the consequence of using the wrong statute, or the wrong day, for a payment claim, payment schedule or adjudication.
- Restriction: The lawyer leads this decision. Assistance stays inside the preparation described for the task.

## Checks the lawyer makes

1. Record the day the payment claim was given. Give any payment schedule within the contract period, if the contract states one, or 15 business days after the claim was given, whichever ends first, unless the claimed amount is paid in full on or before the due date.
2. Make the schedule identify the payment claim, state the amount proposed, and, if that amount is less, state why, including each reason for withholding. Reasons left out of the schedule cannot be added in the adjudication response.
3. If an adjudication application is being made, name the matching limb of section 79(2)(b): 30 business days after the later of the due date and the last day for the schedule; 20 business days after the due date; or 30 business days after the schedule is received. Use the approved form.
4. Give the respondent the application and any submissions within 4 business days. For lodgement, re-read the QBCC page before applying its 5.00pm AEST business-day cut-off. For a response, separate a standard payment claim from a complex payment claim under section 64 before using the section 83 periods.

## Notes

- Suggested working checks from the linked public source. Read that source before you rely on the check. This is not a record that the check has been done.

## Practical guide

Jurisdiction: Queensland

**Deliverable**: A payment schedule that identifies the claim and states the proposed amount and the reasons, or an adjudication-application checklist naming which section 79(2)(b) limb applies and the last day.

**Inputs**

- The payment claim and the day it was given
- The construction contract schedule clause
- Any payment schedule already given, and the due date worked out under section 73
- The current Act and the QBCC pages for responding to a payment request and applying for adjudication

**Example**: No payment schedule is given and the claimed amount is not paid. Section 79(2)(b)(i) requires the adjudication application within 30 business days after the later of the due date and the last day the respondent could have given the payment schedule under section 76. The claimant must then give the respondent a copy of the application, and of any submissions, within 4 business days after making it. The QBCC page says the Registrar must receive it on a business day before 5.00pm AEST.

**Stop and escalate when**

- The schedule period is taken from another state. Section 76 uses the contract period, if any, or 15 business days after the payment claim is given, whichever ends first.
- A court warning notice is timed at 20 business days because an August 2022 QBCC industry guide says so. Section 99(3) of the current reprint says the warning notice must not be given later than 30 business days after the due date.
- The 5.00pm AEST cut-off is treated as a section of the Act. It is stated on the QBCC apply-for-adjudication page. Read that page again before using it.
- A complex-payment-claim response is timed on the standard periods. Section 64 defines a complex payment claim as a claim for more than $750,000, or a greater amount prescribed by regulation. That regulation was not read.

Checked 2026-09-22.

## Sources

- [Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 (Qld), reprint current from 28 May 2026](https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/act-2017-043) (checked 2026-09-22)
- [Queensland Building and Construction Commission: Respond to a payment request](https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/running-your-business/getting-paid/respond-payment-request) (checked 2026-09-22)
- [Queensland Building and Construction Commission: Apply for adjudication](https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/complaints-disputes/payment-contract/commercial-payment-dispute/adjudication/apply-adjudication) (checked 2026-09-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*