Straightforward matters often resolve within 2 to 6 weeks at the demand and negotiation stage. Legal escalation through E C Legal adds time depending on court lists, the debtor's jurisdiction, and their response. You'll get an indicative timeframe in the free appraisal.
Who We Are
We are one of Australia's leading debt collection agencies, trusted by businesses that need results rather than bulk letters and call centre handoffs.
Real recoveries, not just activity reports
Long-term client relationships across every state
Ethical, licenced, and fully compliant
Skilled negotiation and debtor management
Dedicated account managers by industry
Trusted by more than 20,000 clients
Operating since 1997, eCollect has recovered more than $120M for Australian businesses. We work across every state and territory, and New Zealand.
The Recovery Process, Step by Step
Recovery is a series of decisions, not a conveyor belt. Each stage has a trigger and a cost test, so you're never paying for activity that won't move the debt.
A statutory demand is most effective when the company has real assets or a reputation to protect. The 21-day window creates genuine pressure. But if the debtor has nothing to lose, it adds cost without improving your position.
We'll tell you which situation you're in before recommending a path. For the full picture, see our debt recovery services overview.
Types of Debt We Recover
We handle the full spread across Australia and New Zealand, and we don't bounce you between teams when a matter crosses categories.
Interstate or cross-border? Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland -- the office closest to your debtor handles local enforcement. The legal mechanics shift by jurisdiction. The process doesn't.
Why Australian Businesses Choose eCollect
20+ years operating. Over $120M recovered across 10,000+ clients across Australia and New Zealand.
In-house law firm. E C Legal handles statutory demands, proceedings, and enforcement without outsourcing to a third party.
Dedicated account manager. Industry-specific. Not a call centre rotation. The same person handles your file from start to finish.
24/7 portal. Upload debts, track every action, review the file in real time from anywhere.
Fully licensed. Commercial Agent licences in all relevant states, Australian Credit Licence, AFCA membership, ISO9001, trust account, PI and fidelity insurance. See our legal and compliance credentials.
What It Costs, No Recovery, No Charge
No Upfront Costs
No membership fees. No monthly minimums. Commission is only charged when money is recovered and lands in your account.
No Surprise Legal Bills
If a matter needs to be escalated to E C Legal, all legal costs are quoted in writing before any work begins. You decide whether to proceed before spending a dollar.
Get an Honest Assessment
Upload your debt details to the Debt Terminator and we'll provide a written assessment of your recovery prospects and likely costs, with no obligation.
We'll Tell You If It's Not Worth Pursuing
Not every debt is worth chasing. If we don't think the likely recovery justifies the cost, we'll tell you upfront.
Get a Free Appraisal Before You Commit
Upload your debt details to the Debt Terminator and we'll give you an honest view of your recovery odds and likely costs -- in writing, with no obligation. If we don't think the matter is worth pursuing, we'll say so upfront.
Smart platforms - Real results
From live progress tracking to intelligent debt analysis, our in-house platforms make collection transparent, data-driven and effortless.
Debt Terminator
Start now, pay only when recovery succeeds.
Start now, pay only when recovery succeeds. Powered by over two decades of industry experience and backed by E C Legal, the Debt Terminator analyses your debt details and returns a personalised recovery plan -- recommended actions, key contacts, and estimated costs.
Real-Time Recovery Dashboard
Track your recovery process with full transparency.
Track your recovery with full transparency. Our client portal gives you 24/7 access to live updates, progress metrics, and payment details. You see exactly what's happening at every stage, without having to chase anyone for an update.
What we offer
Customer-First Approach
You'll work with a real person, not a queue. Your account manager knows your industry and handles your file directly.
Real-Time Cloud Tracking
Monitor progress 24/7 from your dashboard. No chasing, no waiting, no surprises.
Expert Recovery Team
In-house specialists trained to negotiate smart, escalate when it counts, and collect more than the industry average.
Recover Corporate Debts with Confidence
Structured, scalable, and compliant recovery for organisations with larger ledgers or complex debtor profiles. Upload your files, track progress in real time, and only pay when we recover.
Recovering Debt Under Victorian Law
The right legal path depends on where the debtor is, who owes the money, and how much is at stake.
Each state has its own tribunal and court hierarchy. Our offices in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane handle local enforcement in their respective jurisdictions.
Magistrates' Courts across Australia handle civil debt claims within set limits. Larger matters can go to higher courts.
Statutory demands apply to company debtors only, under the Corporations Act. The 21-day response window creates real pressure -- but only when the company has assets or a reputation worth protecting.
Director guarantees allow personal pursuit of a director when the company itself has limited recoverable assets.
When to Push, When to Settle, When to Write Off
Not every debt is worth pursuing. Twenty hours of staff time on a $5,000 invoice can cost more than writing it off and moving on. We'll tell you upfront when the likely recovery doesn't justify the effort and cost. For more on what happens if a debtor ignores the process, read our blog on why you shouldn't ignore a debt collection agency.
Frequently asked questions
A letter of demand is a formal request for payment, usable for any debt. A statutory demand is a Corporations Act instrument against company debtors only, with a 21-day window and serious consequences if ignored, including a presumption of insolvency.
Yes. We have offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Auckland. We operate across every Australian state and territory and into New Zealand. Local enforcement is handled by the office closest to your debtor. International matters are assessed for viability before we recommend pursuit.
Invoices, statements, and correspondence are often enough to establish the debt. A signed contract or terms of trade strengthens the file, especially if it includes a personal guarantee or interest clause. We'll work with what you have.
A genuine dispute changes the strategy. We assess the substance, document the position, and decide whether negotiation, tribunal, or court is the right forum. A weak dispute used as a stall tactic gets handled differently to a real one.
No upfront cost for standard recovery. Commission is only charged on successful recovery. Legal escalation costs are quoted in writing before any action.
It depends on the jurisdiction, the debt amount, and who owes the money. Tribunals like VCAT (Victoria) or NCAT (NSW) handle certain disputes and are often faster and less formal than court. Magistrates' Courts cover civil debt claims within their caps. The right forum gets determined during the appraisal stage -- we won't recommend a pathway until we know the specifics.
Trusted in Australia, New Zealand & Beyond
Melbourne
03 8611 2600
Level 9, 461 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Sydney
02 9191 9699
Level 6, 115 Pitt Street Sydney NSW 2000
Brisbane
07 3123 4031
Level 38/71 Eagle Street Brisbane QLD 4000
Auckland
+64 9 951 8000
27E/16 Gore Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
UK - eRecoveries
erecoveries.co.uk
Our eRecoveries service based in UK applying high-end technology to cover the full receivables management process for you
Your Partners in Recovery
eCollect
Our core debt recovery and collection service, operating across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Auckland.
E C Legal
Specialist legal support for debt and credit matters, based in Australia.
eclegal.com.aueReceivables
Designed for Australian receivables management and credit operations, uniting intelligent software with real operational expertise.
ereceivables.com.aueRecoveries
Expanding our debt recovery expertise across the United Kingdom market, supported by advanced systems, industry trained specialists and a proven no-recovery, no-charge model.
erecoveries.co.ukStart Recovery Today
Two ways in. Call the office closest to you and speak to an account manager who'll walk through the file in plain English. Or upload the debt via the portal and we'll come back with an appraisal.
Whichever you choose, the invoice isn't getting any younger.