Everything you need to know about SubbieShield and the Security of Payment Act
What is the Security of Payment Act?
The Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act provides subcontractors and suppliers with a statutory right to receive progress payments for work performed. Each Australian state has its own version of the Act with specific requirements and timeframes. SubbieShield helps you comply with these requirements.
How are payment schedule deadlines calculated?
Under the SOP Act, builders must provide a payment schedule within a specific number of business days after receiving a payment claim. This varies by state (e.g., 10 business days in NSW). Business days exclude weekends and public holidays. SubbieShield automatically calculates these deadlines using state-specific public holiday calendars.
What happens if the builder doesn't respond by the deadline?
If a builder fails to provide a payment schedule by the due date, they become liable to pay the full claimed amount. This is one of the most powerful protections under the SOP Act. SubbieShield's evidence trail proves when you sent the claim and when (or if) it was delivered, which is crucial for enforcing your rights.
Is SubbieShield legal advice?
No. SubbieShield is a calculation and document generation tool, not a legal service. While we strive for accuracy in our deadline calculations and document formats, we are not lawyers and cannot provide legal advice. For complex disputes or legal questions, please consult with a qualified construction lawyer.
Which states are supported?
SubbieShield supports all Australian states and territories: New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (VIC), Queensland (QLD), South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA), Tasmania (TAS), Northern Territory (NT), and Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Each state has different SOP Act requirements and public holidays, which we account for automatically.
What is the "Confirm Deadline" step?
When you create a payment claim, SubbieShield calculates the payment schedule due date based on the reference date you provided. Before sending, you must confirm this deadline is correct. This step is important because you are taking responsibility for verifying the calculation. It's your acknowledgment that you've reviewed the date and agree it's accurate.
How does email tracking work?
When you send a payment claim through SubbieShield, we track when the email is delivered to the builder's mail server and when they open it. This creates a legal evidence trail showing the claim was received. All events are logged with timestamps in your audit trail.
Can I upload my own documents?
Currently, SubbieShield generates payment claim PDFs based on the information you provide. Support for attaching additional documents (like invoices or supporting evidence) is planned for a future release.
What if I need to send multiple claims for the same project?
You can create as many payment claims as needed for each project. Each claim gets its own reference number, deadline calculation, and evidence trail. This is useful for progress claims throughout a project.
Do you offer refunds?
Yes, we offer a 14-day money-back guarantee. If SubbieShield doesn't meet your needs, contact us within 14 days of your purchase for a full refund. No questions asked.
How secure is my data?
Your data is stored securely using Supabase (enterprise-grade PostgreSQL hosting) with row-level security policies. All data is encrypted in transit and at rest. We never share your data with third parties except as required to provide the service (email delivery, payment processing).
Can I export my data?
Yes. All your payment claims, audit logs, and generated PDFs can be downloaded at any time. We believe your data belongs to you.