Days overdue invoice calculator
Enter your invoice date and payment terms to find out exactly how many days overdue the account is — and what you should be doing about it right now.
Why acting quickly improves recovery rates
Time is the single most powerful variable in commercial debt recovery. The longer an invoice sits unpaid, the lower your statistical chance of collecting it in full — or at all. Research across Australian debt recovery portfolios consistently shows that accounts referred within 30 days have an average recovery rate above 80%. By 90 days, that figure drops below 60%. Beyond 12 months, many accounts become effectively uncollectable.
The deterioration happens for several reasons. Debtors' financial positions change. Evidence degrades — witnesses move on, records are lost, the urgency in the debtor's mind fades. Statutes of limitation begin ticking. And the longer you wait, the more likely the debtor is to believe you will not pursue the debt seriously.
The 90-day cliff
Practitioners refer to the "90-day cliff" because the data shows a sharp deterioration in outcomes once an account exceeds three months overdue. Before that point, a well-structured demand letter or a phone call from a recovery specialist can resolve most accounts without litigation. After 90 days, the probability of needing formal legal action increases significantly — and with it, the cost and time involved for both parties.
Merion's commission-only model means there is no financial cost to referring early. If we don't collect, you pay nothing. The risk of waiting is entirely on your side — the risk of referring is not.
Recovery rates and recommended actions shown are indicative only, based on general industry experience. They are not a guarantee of outcome and do not constitute legal advice. Your specific situation may call for different action.