Cash flow is vital to the survival of small and family businesses. Making payment information available to the public can help small businesses and encourages large businesses to improve their practices.

The Payment Times Reporting Scheme (the scheme) requires large businesses and some government enterprises (known as reporting entities), to report on their small business payment terms and times.

Reporting entities must submit a report every six months to the Payment Times Reporting Regulator through the Payment Times Reporting Portal.

The scheme is administered by the Payment Times Reporting Regulator.  

Making sure you invoice correctly can help ensure prompt payment. The tips below will help guide your invoicing. 

Invoice tips for small businesses 

• Using electronic invoices or e-invoicing can reduce errors. Find out more about e-invoicing for small businesses. 
• Find a contact in the accounts area and check what they need to process your invoice. This contact can also let you know when your invoice has been received and accepted.
• Before sending an invoice, double-check that you have included all relevant information and that details match the order and delivery receipt. Find out more about issuing tax invoices and the relevant information you should include.
• Once you have sent the invoice, confirm it has been received.
• Ten days before payment is due, check your invoice has been processed and is due to be paid.
• If payment is 1-2 days overdue, contact the accounts area and ask if a problem has prevented payment and find out what you can do to help resolve it.
• If following up on the payment hasn’t worked. Try our Dispute Support tool, to help work out your next steps and get back to business.