SA Subcontract Review — Free Security of Payment Risk Scanner
Upload a South Australian subcontract and get a free clause-by-clause risk report in about 90 seconds, scored against the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (SA) and market norms. It flags the payment terms, liquidated damages, time bars, set-off rights and retention that cost subcontractors money — before you sign.
Scan a SA subcontract freeSouth Australia payment law — the facts that matter
Statute: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (SA)
- South Australia's Act is the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (SA), closely following the NSW template.
- A payment schedule is due within 15 business days of a claim (or any shorter period the contract sets).
- No payment schedule in time makes the full claimed amount a debt due and bars the respondent's reasons at adjudication.
- Adjudication runs through Authorised Nominating Authorities, with determinations typically within 10 business days of acceptance.
Why South Australia contracts need their own analysis
SA has fewer statutory traps than Victoria or WA — which means the risk in an SA subcontract lives almost entirely in the contract drafting itself: the time bars, the set-off clause, the LD cap or absence of one, and the retention terms. That's precisely what the scanner scores, clause by clause, against what the Australian market considers normal.
What every SA report scores
- Payment terms and SOP Act compliance
- Liquidated damages exposure — rate, and whether there's a cap
- Set-off and back-charge rights
- Time bars on EOT and variation claims
- Termination and suspension
- Indemnity and insurance
The three worst findings come with a recommended negotiating position — specific figures and drafting changes, not just a warning.
South Australia subcontract questions, answered
What should an SA subbie check before signing?
The contract, more than the statute — SA's Act follows the standard East Coast pattern, so the danger is in the drafting: time bars under 5 business days, uncapped liquidated damages, set-off without notice, and retention above the market-normal 5%. The scanner scores each and recommends a position to negotiate to.
How fast is adjudication in South Australia?
Designed for speed: once an adjudicator accepts an application, a determination typically lands within 10 business days. The leverage starts earlier though — a well-founded payment claim that the builder fails to schedule against becomes a debt due in full.
Is the SA subcontract scanner really free?
Yes. No account, no card, no trial period — upload a subcontract PDF and the full report appears on screen in about 90 seconds, with a copy emailed to you and a PDF download. Fair-use limits apply so the tool stays available to everyone.
Is my contract kept confidential?
Yes. Documents are stored privately in Australia, never published, never shared with any other user or any party to your contract, and deleted within 12 months. You can ask for your documents and records to be deleted at any time and it's actioned within 7 days.
Is the report legal advice?
No. It's AI-generated commercial risk analysis — a way to understand your position under South Australia law and market norms before you sign or negotiate. For decisions with legal consequences, take the report to a construction lawyer; it makes that conversation faster and cheaper.
Not being paid on a SA job?
Claim Pro assesses your payment dispute under the Security of Payment Act— your likelihood of success, the builder's likely defence, and exactly what to do next. Also free.
Assess my dispute freeThe report is AI-generated general information, not legal advice. Documents are confidential — never shared, never published. Built by Mat Kennedy at The Construction Contracts Co.