ACT – Adjudication Response Deadline Calculator

Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2009 (ACT), s 29

Under s 29 of the ACT SOP Act 2009, a respondent may lodge an adjudication response within 5 ACT business days after receiving notice from the Authorised Nominating Authority (ANA) of the adjudicator's acceptance of the adjudication application.

ACT vs NSW vs Victoria: The ACT gives respondents 5 ACT business days from the ANA acceptance notice (s 29). In NSW (s 20(1)), the response deadline is the later of 5 business days from service of the application or 2 business days from the acceptance notice. In Victoria (s 22(3)), it is only 2 Victorian business days from the acceptance notice.

5 Business Day Window

From ANA adjudicator acceptance notice (s 29)

Act Promptly

Only 5 ACT business days — no extension possible

Calculate Response Deadline

Enter the date you received the adjudicator's acceptance notice from the ANA

The 5-business-day clock starts on the date you receive the acceptance notice from the ANA — not when the claimant serves the application on you. Monitor your correspondence closely.

Understanding Adjudication Responses (ACT)

Response Deadline — s 29

A respondent may lodge an adjudication response within 5 ACT business days after receiving notice from the ANA of the adjudicator's acceptance. The 5-day period begins on the date you receive the acceptance notice, not when the application was served on you.

No Extension Available

The adjudicator must not consider any adjudication response lodged outside the 5-business-day window. No extensions are available; the right to respond cannot be reinstated by agreement or any other means.

What to Include

Your response must be in writing and may address any matters raised in the adjudication application. Include any payment schedule already given, relevant submissions, statutory declarations, and supporting evidence. Confine the response to the matters raised in the application.

ACT Business Days

ACT business days exclude weekends, ACT public holidays (including Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day), and 27–31 December. No AFL Grand Final Friday or Melbourne Cup Day apply in the ACT.

Difference from NSW and Victoria

ACT gives respondents 5 ACT business days from the ANA acceptance notice. NSW gives the later of 5 business days from service of the application or 2 business days from acceptance. Victoria gives only 2 Victorian business days from acceptance.

Important: This calculator is a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice. Timeframes can be affected by the specific terms of your construction contract, the precise method and timing of service of documents, ACT public holidays, and other factors. Always check the current legislation and seek professional legal advice for your specific situation. The operators of this site accept no liability for errors, omissions, or reliance on the outputs of this calculator.

Important Legal Disclaimer