Frequently asked questions

A business you have dealt with has engaged Merion to recover an amount they record as outstanding. Your notice identifies the original creditor, the amount, and a reference number unique to your account. Being contacted does not mean legal action has been taken.

Genuine contact from Merion names the original creditor and carries a reference number unique to your account. If anything gives you doubt, do not rely on the details in that message alone — reach us using the phone number and email published on this website and quote your reference number.

You can propose a payment arrangement — a plan to pay the amount over time in instalments that suit your circumstances. We consider every reasonable proposal fairly. The Request a Payment Arrangement form is the simplest way to start, and contacting us early always widens your options.

If you believe the debt is not owed, the amount is wrong, or you do not recognise it, you can dispute it and ask for it to be verified. Use the Dispute a Debt form to set out your position with any supporting documents. Where there is a genuine dispute, recovery activity is generally paused while it is reviewed.

An account that receives no response does not close — it escalates, which narrows your options and can add cost. Unresolved matters can ultimately proceed to formal legal recovery. Responding early, even just to ask a question, almost always leads to a better outcome.

If paying this account would cause you genuine hardship, please tell us — we can take your circumstances into account when considering an arrangement. You can also access free, independent and confidential advice from a financial counsellor through the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.

Yes. If you prefer to communicate by email or post rather than phone, let us know and we will respect that preference. Written communication leaves a clear record for both sides and can make it easier to confirm any arrangement. You can state your preference when you contact us or submit a form through this website.

A limitation period is the time within which a creditor can commence legal proceedings to recover a debt. In most Australian states it is six years from when the debt became due, though the exact period depends on the state, the type of debt, and whether any payments or written acknowledgements have been made. If you believe a debt may be time-barred, seek independent legal advice before making any payment or written admission, as doing so can restart the clock.

Yes. You can authorise a representative — such as a financial counsellor, a solicitor, or a trusted person — to communicate with us on your behalf. We will need written authority from you confirming who is authorised to act. Free authorisation assistance is available through the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 if you need help setting that up.

We work primarily on a commission basis: our fee is a percentage of what we successfully recover, agreed with you in writing before any work begins. This aligns our interests with yours. We also purchase selected debt portfolios outright, under a written sale agreement.

You can start with the essentials: the debtor name and any contact details you hold, the approximate amount owed and how overdue it is, whether the debt is disputed, and your supporting documents such as invoices and terms of trade. A complete file resolves faster, but a clean set of invoices is enough to begin.

Yes. You can refer a single account or a batch. For a small number, the Refer a Debt form is simplest; for a larger batch, contact us directly and we will agree an efficient way to hand over the accounts and their documents together.

It depends on the account. Many matters resolve within weeks of structured contact; older or disputed accounts take longer. Timeframes are shaped by the age of the account, whether contact details are current, and whether the debt is disputed. We give you a realistic view at the outset.

Our contact is professional, factual and free of pressure tactics, and every step follows the ACCC and ASIC debt collection guideline. A recovery handled with care can preserve a commercial relationship that still has value to you.

If a debtor enters voluntary administration, liquidation, or bankruptcy, debt recovery activity must pause and the debt becomes a claim in the insolvency proceedings. We will notify you promptly if we become aware of this and advise you on lodging a proof of debt with the appointed insolvency practitioner. Recovery through the insolvency process depends on the assets available and the class of creditor; we give you a candid assessment of what to expect.

Yes. Trade and wholesale accounts are a core part of our commercial recovery work. We are familiar with the invoice cycles, trading terms, and account structures common in wholesale and distribution, and we handle these accounts with the care that ongoing supplier relationships require. Our commission model means you pay nothing unless we recover.

Yes. Merion Pty Limited is a registered Australian company. Our Australian Company Number is published on this website and in our correspondence, and a registered company can be verified independently through the ASIC register.

Our operations are conducted in line with the Commonwealth consumer protection laws that govern debt collection in Australia, including the ACCC and ASIC debt collection guideline, the Australian Consumer Law, and the Privacy Act. Our Financial Disclosures page sets this out in full.

If you are concerned about how we have handled an account, you can make a complaint using the Make a Complaint form. We acknowledge it, review it fairly, and respond within a reasonable time. If you remain dissatisfied, the matter can be escalated to an external body such as the ACCC, ASIC or AFCA.

We handle personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. Our Privacy Policy explains what we collect, how we use it, and the choices and rights available to you.

Merion operates across Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Our registered office details are set out in our correspondence and on our Financial Disclosures page. Most client and debtor contact is handled by phone and email, so your location within Australia does not affect our ability to act for you.

After referral, we verify the account details and supporting documents, then issue a letter of demand to the debtor. You can track progress through your client portal. We are in touch within one business day to confirm receipt and share our assessment.

In most cases, very little. You may be asked to provide additional documents if something is needed to support the recovery. We manage contact with the debtor and keep you updated through the portal. You make the final call on any proposed settlement or arrangement.

We contact debtors in writing and by telephone. All contact follows the ACCC and ASIC debt collection guideline at reasonable times, without harassment or misrepresentation, and respecting any preferences the debtor communicates. Every contact is logged and visible to you in the portal.

If we cannot reach the debtor with the details you provide, we will tell you. Where the account has value, we may recommend a skip-trace to locate current contact details. If no contact can be established after reasonable effort, we advise on the remaining options.

Legal action is considered for accounts where the amount justifies the cost, the debt is not genuinely disputed, and the debtor has the capacity to pay. We give you a candid view before anything proceeds and only take legal steps with your authority.

Recovered funds are remitted to you after deducting our commission at the agreed rate. Remittances are made promptly and come with a clear statement so you can reconcile easily. Your commission rate is confirmed in writing before any work begins.

Once funds clear, we deduct our commission at the agreed rate and transfer the net amount directly to your nominated bank account. Each remittance is accompanied by a clear statement showing the account, the amount collected, the commission applied, and the net amount paid. Remittances are processed promptly after clearance — the exact schedule is set out in your engagement letter.

We recover commercial, business-to-business debts including unpaid invoices, trade accounts, service fees and similar commercial obligations. We do not offer consumer debt recovery, and we do not handle international recovery.

Yes. Construction accounts involving progress claims, retentions, variations and subcontractor chains are a core part of what we do. We understand how the sector gets paid and take care with contacts and relationships you may rely on for future work.

Yes. There is no minimum account size or minimum number of accounts. We work with businesses of all sizes, from sole traders with a single overdue invoice to larger companies managing a portfolio of accounts. The no-recovery-no-commission model applies regardless of size.

We can attempt recovery on older accounts, and many do resolve. Recovery success decreases as debts age, so accounts referred at 60 days resolve far more often than those at two years. If your account is approaching the limitation period, we will give you an honest assessment at referral.

We recover accounts where the debtor is located in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory. Your own business can be anywhere in Australia since recovery is handled online and by phone.

Yes. Unpaid fees for professional and advisory services are a common account type we handle. These accounts often involve a single engagement or retainer rather than a series of invoices, and we understand the professional relationship considerations involved. A signed engagement letter and fee agreement are the most useful supporting documents when referring a professional services account.