If your business is owed money by another business, AMPAC’s commercial debt recovery team put over 30 years of specialist experience to work on your behalf with a no recovery, no commission.
Commercial debt recovery is the process of recovering money owed between businesses, typically an unpaid invoice for goods or services supplied on trade credit terms. When a business fails to pay according to the agreed terms of trade, this constitutes a breach of contract, and the debt becomes a matter for formal commercial debt recovery.
With over 1 million Australian businesses trading on credit, unpaid invoices are one of the most common and most damaging threats to healthy cash flow. AMPAC is a leading commercial debt recovery agency that helps businesses of every size resolve these disputes quickly, professionally and cost-effectively.
AMPAC provides end-to-end commercial debt recovery services backed by decades of hands-on experience across every industry segment in Australia. Our specialists are skilled negotiators and collectors, trained across the full range of disciplines needed to bring a commercial debt to resolution, including:
Because no two debts or debtors are the same, our commercial debt recovery solutions are tailored to the circumstances of each case rather than applied as a one-size-fits-all process. This is true whether we’re recovering a single overdue invoice for a small business or managing a portfolio of commercial debts for a national organisation.
Our specialist teams also apply this same tailored approach to industry-specific matters, including construction debt recovery, where retention disputes, variations, and progress claims add extra complexity to the recovery process.
The single biggest factor in whether a commercial debt is recovered is how quickly it’s escalated. Recovery prospects fall sharply the longer an invoice sits unpaid, industry data suggests that around 85% of debts are still recoverable at the 60-day mark, but that figure drops to as low as 26% once a debt has been outstanding for a year. This is why acting early, rather than waiting and hoping a debtor will pay, is the single most important decision a business can make in protecting its cash flow.
AMPAC’s commercial debt recovery process is built around engaging the debtor as early as possible and escalating in clearly defined stages:
We assess your existing credit documentation, payment history, and any prior contact with the debtor to build the strongest possible position before formal action begins.
A formal letter of demand is issued, backed by AMPAC’s reputation as an established commercial debt recovery agency, putting the debtor on notice that the matter is now being professionally managed.
Our specialists make direct contact to negotiate payment in full or agree a structured repayment arrangement, drawing on our understanding of the debtor’s capacity and willingness to pay.
When a debtor commits to payment, we manage and monitor that arrangement to ensure it’s honoured.
If a debtor remains non-responsive, we advise on and can facilitate litigation, judgment, enforcement, or insolvency action as the next appropriate step.
Once funds are recovered, they are promptly remitted to you, with full visibility of the outcome throughout.
This structured commercial debt recovery process is supported at every stage by AMPAC’s advanced collection technology. Paperless direct debiting, voice recording, and automated email and SMS demands are all linked to our payment portal, giving your matter momentum from day one.
Outsourcing to a specialist commercial debt recovery agency isn’t just about resolving one overdue invoice, it’s part of a broader approach to protecting your business’s cash flow and credit risk position. Businesses that combine strong internal credit management with early escalation to a professional collection agency consistently achieve better outcomes than those that rely solely on in-house follow-up. Chasing payment internally for months before referring a debt almost always reduces your chances of a full recovery, while tying up staff time that could be spent on revenue-generating work.
This is why AMPAC encourages clients to treat commercial debt recovery as a natural extension of their credit management process, not a last resort. Reviewing your credit documentation and terms of trade regularly, applying consistent internal follow-up procedures, and knowing when to escalate a debt are all practical steps that improve recovery outcomes before a matter even reaches a commercial debt recovery agency.
When that point is reached, having clear terms of trade in place, including a cost recovery clause, also puts you in a stronger position to recover your collection costs as part of the overall commercial debt recovery solutions applied to your case.
Not every commercial debt recovery agency is the right fit for every business, and choosing the wrong one can cost you both time and money. When evaluating a collection agency, consider:
Make sure the agency is fully licensed to operate in your state or territory, and operates within Australia’s debt collection guidelines and codes of practice.
An agency with reliable experience across your industry will understand the nuances of your market, your debtors, and the disputes that typically arise.
Look for a no recovery, no fee model, so you’re not paying commission without an outcome. AMPAC only charges a commission once your debt (or part of it) is successfully recovered.
A modern collection agency should give you real-time visibility of your matter, not leave you waiting on phone calls or emails for updates.
If your business trades outside your home state or overseas, your agency needs the network to match, including established international debt recovery capabilities.
Ask for evidence of outcomes achieved for businesses of a similar size and industry to your own.
The team at AMPAC has spent over 30 years building the reputation, technology, and specialist knowledge that businesses look for when selecting a commercial debt recovery agency, and our clients include some of Australia’s highest-profile private and public sector organisations.
When you engage AMPAC for commercial debt recovery, you don’t lose visibility or control of your matter, but gain it.
AMPAC Online is available to clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, via PC, tablet or smartphone, giving you real-time access to the progress of your case whenever you need it. You’ll always know exactly where your matter stands, what action has been taken, and what’s happening next, without needing to wait for a phone call or email update.
AMPAC is one of Australia’s most established names in commercial debt recovery, trusted by organisations where credit risk management and the recovery of overdue debt are a priority. Over 1 million Australian businesses trade on credit terms, and when those trading relationships break down, AMPAC steps in with the experience, technology, and national reach to resolve the matter.
What sets AMPAC apart as a commercial debt recovery agency:
Businesses working with AMPAC benefit from a partner that treats every matter individually rather than applying a generic collections script, which is a distinction that shows in the outcomes we achieve for our clients across sectors as varied as construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and professional services.
Whether you’re searching for commercial debt recovery in Sydney or need commercial debt recovery in Melbourne, our specialists bring the same rigorous, structured approach to every matter, backed by local market knowledge in each state we operate in.
Commercial debt recovery is the process of recovering unpaid money owed between businesses, most commonly an overdue invoice for goods or services supplied on trade credit terms. It differs from consumer debt collection because it deals exclusively with business-to-business trading relationships and contractual trade terms.
The commercial debt recovery process typically begins with an internal review of the debt and documentation, followed by a formal demand and direct negotiation with the debtor. If payment still isn’t secured, this escalates to legal action or insolvency proceedings. AMPAC manages each stage on your behalf, keeping you informed throughout.
Costs vary depending on the size and age of the debt and whether a dispute exists. AMPAC operates on a no recovery, no fee basis, meaning a commission is only payable once your debt (or part of it) has been successfully recovered. If legal action becomes necessary, any additional costs are explained upfront, and legal action is never taken without your approval.
Timeframes depend on factors, including the debtor’s financial position, their willingness to pay, whether the debt is disputed, and the quality of your credit documentation. Acting early significantly improves both the speed and likelihood of recovery, which is why engaging a commercial debt recovery agency as soon as a debt becomes overdue is strongly recommended.
If a debtor remains unresponsive after negotiation, AMPAC can advise on and facilitate further action, including commercial litigation, judgment enforcement, or insolvency proceedings, depending on what is most appropriate and cost-effective for your matter.
Not necessarily. Many commercial debts are resolved through negotiation before legal action is required. Where litigation does become necessary, AMPAC can refer and manage this process for you, so you don’t need to engage a lawyer directly at the outset.
Generally, you’ll need your invoice or contract details, any correspondence or payment history with the debtor, and your terms and conditions of trade. Strong credit documentation improves both the speed and prospects of recovery, which is why AMPAC also offers credit documentation review as part of a broader debt recovery strategy.
Commercial debt recovery deals with debts owed between businesses under trade credit terms, while consumer debt collection deals with debts owed by individuals, often under consumer credit or hardship-related legislation. Commercial matters are typically governed by different legal frameworks and generally allow for the recovery of collection costs from the debtor, provided your terms and conditions include a cost recovery clause.
Mark Logue is a Debt Collection Specialist and Joint Managing Director at AMPAC Debt Recovery. Mark is one of the founders of the business and brings more than 35 years of experience across debt recovery, credit reporting and credit risk management. His expertise spans all segments of commerce and industry, both across Australia and overseas. Mark works with businesses and Government organisations of all sizes to support effective debt recovery, reduce financial risk and help protect cash flow through practical, commercially focused solutions.
Miral Sarvaiya is a Key Account Director at AMPAC, with experience across credit management, debt recovery, litigation and international recoveries. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Studies and a Master of Business Administration. She has a strong background in sales, relationship and account management as well as operational improvement. Since joining AMPAC in 2018, Miral has worked closely with domestic and international clients and their internal teams to manage accounts, support transition processes and deliver effective recovery solutions.
Anthony Stevanja is a Key Account Director at AMPAC, bringing experience across credit risk, accounts receivable and debt recovery. Before joining AMPAC, Anthony was a senior credit manager in a number of national and international companies, so he understands the challenges faced by credit teams and applies his knowledge when advising clients. Since joining the team in 2018, Anthony has supported the delivery of strategic recovery solutions for clients across a range of industries. His role focuses on strengthening client relationships, improving internal processes and supporting consistent service outcomes. Anthony works closely with clients and internal teams to help deliver practical, efficient and commercially focused recovery solutions.
Stephen Moloney is a Debt Collection Specialist and Sales Director at AMPAC, based in Melbourne. Since joining the business in 2012, Stephen has supported organisations across the commercial, government, strata, insurance, education and finance sectors. With over 30 years experience in debt recovery, his experience allows him to understand the unique challenges different industries face when managing overdue accounts and receivables. Stephen works with clients to provide practical debt recovery support, with a strong focus on compliance, professionalism, communication and effective outcomes.
Paul is arguably the most experienced debt recovery operative in Western Australia. With over 30 years experience assisting clients in WA to recover overdue debt, there is nothing he hasn't seen before. His expertise lies in commercial, consumer and all levels of Government debt. Paul leads the WA operation with a focus on building strong client relationships and consistent service delivery. His clients include Local and State Government organisations as well as a diverse range of large and small private sector businesses.
Do you have debt that needs recovering? Are you unsure on where to start? Contact AMPAC Debt Recovery for solutions today and speak to one of our qualified consultants to get you started.
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