Commercial Debt Recovery

Commercial debt recovery is the heart of what Merion does. When a business-to-business invoice goes unpaid and your own reminders have run their course, we step in to resolve the account — professionally, firmly, and in a way that protects the commercial relationship behind it wherever that relationship is worth protecting. The outcome we work toward is simple: the money owed to your business back in your account, recovered without you having to absorb the cost or the time of chasing it yourself. Because we work on a commission-only basis, you only pay when we succeed, so there is no upfront risk in referring an overdue trade account to us.

If you are weighing up whether an account is worth pursuing, our free debt appraisal gives you an honest read before anything starts. New to how third-party collection works? The what is debt recovery guide and our recovery process walkthrough explain each stage in plain language.

What this service covers

Our commercial recovery service handles the full arc of a single overdue account, from the first formal contact through to resolution:

• verification of the debt, the supporting documents and the debtor's current details before any contact is made;
• professionally drafted letters of demand on our letterhead, signalling the account is now handled formally;
• structured written and telephone contact on a defined schedule;
• negotiation of payment in full, a structured payment arrangement, or a settlement;
• calculation and recovery of contractual interest and recovery costs where your trading terms allow them;
• preparation of the matter for escalation to legal recovery where it cannot be resolved by agreement.

How it works

The path from a referred invoice to recovered funds follows a clear, repeatable sequence:

1. Refer the account. Lodge the debtor's details and the outstanding amount through refer a debt — it takes a few minutes and the assessment is obligation-free.
2. Verification and demand. We confirm the debt and the debtor's current details, then issue a formal letter of demand setting out the amount owed and the consequences of continued non-payment.
3. Structured contact. Our collectors follow a disciplined schedule of letters and calls, opening a conversation about how and when the account will be cleared.
4. Negotiation and resolution. Most accounts resolve here — by payment in full, an instalment arrangement, or a negotiated settlement that suits both sides.
5. Escalation, if needed. Where a debtor refuses to engage and the debt is sound, we prepare the matter for legal action, with your authority at every step.

Why it works

Most overdue commercial accounts are not disputes — they are a cash-flow problem on the debtor's side, or an invoice that has slipped down a priority list. Approached correctly, the large majority resolve without conflict. Our role is to apply that correct approach consistently: contact that is firm and factual, never aggressive, and always within the ACCC and ASIC debt collection laws that govern the industry in Australia.

We work on a commission basis, so our fee is tied to what we recover. That single fact aligns our priorities with yours from the first day — full detail is on our fees page, and you can model an outcome with the net recovery estimator before you commit. Throughout the matter, a real-time client portal shows you exactly where each account stands, so you are never left wondering whether anything is happening.

Tools to act before you refer

Sometimes a single, well-judged step is enough to shift an account. Our letter of demand template gives you a compliant starting point, the interest calculator works out what you are entitled to add under your terms, and the days overdue calculator tells you exactly how long an invoice has been sitting. When you decide it is time to escalate, how to chase an unpaid invoice sets out the sensible order of steps.

Common questions

What does commercial debt recovery cost?

We work commission-only on most commercial accounts, which means there is no upfront fee and you only pay a percentage of what is actually recovered. There is more detail on our fees page and in the how much does debt recovery cost guide.

Will pursuing the debt damage my customer relationship?

It rarely does. Our contact is professional and factual, not aggressive, and a great many debtors clear the account and continue trading with the creditor afterwards. Where the relationship matters to you, tell us — we tailor the approach accordingly.

How old can a debt be before it is too late to recover?

Older debts are still worth pursuing, but the strength of a claim does fade over time and a statutory limitation period eventually applies. Our statute of limitations checker gives a quick read on where a given account sits.

What happens if the debtor still will not pay?

If a debtor refuses to engage and the debt is well documented, we can escalate to legal recovery. The debt recovery vs legal action guide explains when that step makes sense and when it does not.

Can you help us prevent overdue accounts in the first place?

Yes. Alongside recovery we offer ongoing receivables management and credit management, plus commercial credit reports to vet customers before you extend terms.

Popular industries

• Construction
• Healthcare & Medical
• Technology & SaaS
• Professional Services
• Transport & Freight
• Agriculture
• Trades
• Recruitment

Major locations

• Brisbane
• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Perth
• Gold Coast
• Adelaide
• Newcastle
• Canberra

See all industries · See all locations