5 Debt Collectors Melbourne Businesses Seek Out
Chasing a non-paying client is one of the most draining parts of running a business or even just being owed money as an individual.
You send the polite follow-up emails, then the less polite ones, and eventually you’re just staring at an unpaid invoice wondering how it became your problem to solve.
That’s where debt collectors in Melbourne come in. But knowing which one fits your situation makes a real difference in both results and how much it costs you to get there.
So, we visited a few around town, read through client feedback, and at what real people said actually happened after they signed on. Here’s what we found.
How much does it cost to hire a debt collector in Melbourne?
Most agencies work on a no win, no fee model, taking a commission of between 10% and 30% of the recovered amount, depending on the age and size of the debt.
Some larger or more complex cases may involve additional legal fees if court action is required.
1. Active Debt Recovery Melbourne
Address: 42/278 Church St, Richmond VIC 3121, Australia
Contact Details: +61399881110
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Active Debt Recovery came up repeatedly when we were talking to small business owners around Melbourne.
What makes Active particularly appealing for smaller operators is the commission structure.
Starting from 10%, it’s notably lower than a lot of what’s out there, and there are no membership fees or ongoing costs eating into what business actually recover. If they don’t collect, businesses don’t pay.
One thing that stood out was that they typically act within 24 hours. They’re not just sending letters and waiting. Their approach can include credit defaulting commercial debtors, and deploying licensed field agents for in-person visits if needed.
Their skip tracing tools are also worth noting, particularly for situations where a debtor has moved on deliberately to avoid paying up.
The 24/7 online system for tracking cases is genuinely useful, too. Companies said they could see every action taken on their file whenever they checked in.
That said, commission rates do scale upward with older debts, so companies who have been sitting on an invoice for a long time, will pay a higher percentage than someone who hands it over early.
highly recommend to anyone dealing with difficult or unresponsive clients
“Active Debt Recovery achieved what felt impossible — they helped us recover a 316-day overdue invoice from a client known for avoiding final payments. The client ignored us for months, but thanks to Active’s clever tactics, we finally got a response.
We handled the dispute side, but their persistence and guidance throughout the process made all the difference. Even without a signed quote, they found a smart workaround and helped escalate things when needed. Worth every cent — highly recommend to anyone dealing with difficult or unresponsive clients.”
Mancuso Constructions Info Google Reviews
Incredible, easy and amazing customer service
“Incredible, easy and amazing customer service from start to finish! Couldn’t fault them! Will defiantly continue to use for all future business debt recoveries”
Chantelle Mittz Google Reviews
2. Kearley Lewis – Your Debt Recovery Experts working Australia wide
Address: 2/91 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Contact Details: +61396298777
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Kearley Lewis has a 7-step recovery approach, no call centres, and every client is handled by an actual person on the team.
The thing that came up most in our conversations was the relationship element. Debt collection, especially in business-to-business contexts, can get complicated fast.
But Kearley Lewis actively thinks about that. They’re trained to collect what companies are owed while keeping the door open on the relationship wherever possible. That’s not something every agency prioritises.
For larger companies that already have internal credit and finance teams, Kearley Lewis steps in at the escalation stage. Their connection to Lewis Holdway Lawyers also means that if things need to go legal, companies aren’t starting fresh with a new firm.
For business brokers who regularly deal with clients navigating complicated handovers and asset transfers, having legal connectivity built in matters.
Their membership packages are an interesting option for businesses that deal with overdue accounts regularly.
The one thing to flag is that Kearley Lewis focuses on commercial debt only. They’re not set up to assist individuals chasing personal debts.
Great firm, great service
“Great firm, great service. I would highly recommend for your debt recovery needs.”
Joanne Emery Google Reviews
Would recommend them to anyone looking for these services
“So happy with Kearley Lewis services. Have used them twice now on various matters and Tina and the team achieved great results for us. Would recommend them to anyone looking for these services”
robert amato Google Reviews
3. The Debt Collection Company
Address: 533/585 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Contact Details: +61 1300 544 711
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
TDCC doesn’t have an in-house legal team, and they’re not trying to push companies toward unnecessary legal action. That transparency is refreshing.
TDCC has instead built relationships with independent solicitors who provide fixed quotes from start to finish. Companies know what legal action will cost before they commit to it, which makes it a lot easier to decide if it’s worth pursuing.
Their personalised agent model is another reason why we chose them. When businesses come on as a client, they’re assigned one contact who handles their case from start to finish. That person knows the situation, knows the history, and is reachable directly.
Their experience with VCAT and Magistrates Court orders is also worth highlighting. Plenty of people get an order and then discover they still can’t collect on it. TDCC specialises in exactly that situation.
They actually extract money from debtors who’ve already had judgment entered against them.
The main limitation is their network is concentrated in Victoria, and if the debtor has moved interstate, recovery becomes harder and slower. For business consultants with a national debtor base, this may be a deciding factor.
Thank you Paul and your team for your professionalism and work
“We would like to thank The Debt Collection Company for their fast and professional work in recovering a significant debt for us. The Debt Collection Company were wonderful in recovering the debt that was awarded to us by VCAT and Magistrates Court of Victoria. Thank you Paul and your team for your professionalism and work.”
Tina Newton Google Reviews
Professional and legal experts
“Great company. Been working with Paul and his team for many years. Company debt returns always better than I expected. Professional and legal experts.”
fiona byrnes Google Reviews
4. AMPAC Debt Recovery
Address: Level 4/50 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Contact Details: +61 1300 426 722
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 5 PM
We love that AMPAC’s clients get 24/7 access to a portal that shows exactly where things stand on their accounts. No chasing the contact for an update. It’s all there.
What impressed us from client reviews was how often AMPAC’s relationship managers came up by name. A few people mentioned that their manager was honest from the start about what was realistic. They didn’t oversell outcomes.
AMPAC’s reach into international debt recovery also sets them apart. For those who run a business with overseas clients, having a collector with established networks across multiple continents is genuinely valuable.
They understand jurisdictional differences, time zones, and local enforcement mechanisms in a way that a domestic-only agency simply can’t replicate.
They’ve also built a specific practice around government and education debt, which reflects how diverse their client base really is.
The main feedback we came across was that AMPAC’s onboarding process can feel a bit too much for very small businesses or sole traders.
Their systems are built for volume and complexity, so those with a small invoice to chase, might find the setup process overwhelming.
They went above and beyond to try and help us regain monies owed
“Great Company to deal with
The account managers are all friendly and very approachable. Mel and the team make an effort to understand your business and work within the scope we gave them.
They went above and beyond to try and help us regain monies owed from a customer during the trying Covid times. They were understanding and communicated well the whole time, helping me understand where we were at and what the next steps were. Always available for a quick chat if I didn’t understand an aspect.
I’m hoping from a business prospective that we don’t have to use them often (fingers crossed), but I wouldn’t hesitate to contact Mel and the team if it was required”
Narelle Hunter Google Reviews
Thanks to your team, especially Nawal’s effort
“Our debtors are in a much better shape than it was 2 years ago since we got Ampac involved at a much earlier stage.
Thanks to your team, especially Nawal’s effort.”
Steven Wang Google Reviews
5. Way Forward Debt Solutions Ltd
Address: Level 14/333 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Contact Details: +61 1300 045 502
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 6 PM
Way Forward is a not-for-profit organisation set up specifically to help individuals, not businesses, who are genuinely struggling to repay what they owe. Their service is completely free for clients. No commission, no fees, nothing taken out of repayments. Everything paid goes directly toward reducing debt.
The organisation was established in 2018 with backing from Westpac, NAB, ANZ, and CommBank, along with the Australian Banking Association. That institutional support means Way Forward can negotiate with creditors from a position of credibility. The process is straightforward. People call in, a team member walks through income, expenses, debts and repayments, and then they work with people to figure out what they can actually afford. With permission, they contact creditors and negotiate a revised repayment arrangement. People told us they love how payment comes out of their account and Way Forward distributes it across their creditors. There is no need to manage multiple payments.
The only real limitation is eligibility. Way Forward is for people who have some income but can’t keep up with current repayments. For those who have no income at all, may be referred to a financial counsellor instead of taking on the case directly.
Thank you so much — your support has made a life-changing difference
“From my very first contact with Way Forward, I was made to feel comfortable and supported. Every conversation was empathetic, and the entire process was handled with genuine professionalism.
A special shout-out must go to Julie, who went above and beyond on Christmas Eve 2025 to ensure my application was submitted to the bank without any delays. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes while I waited patiently for the outcome, and the experience throughout was nothing but positive.
I was completely overwhelmed with relief when Julie contacted me with the incredible news that my debt had been covered in full. Julie, I truly cannot thank you enough for going into bat for me. I literally cried with relief when you shared the wonderful news.
Thank you so much — your support has made a life-changing difference. 💛”
Grace Veneziano Google Reviews
A special thank you to Nicole, who was absolutely amazing to deal with
“Way Forward went above and beyond to help me sort out my debt with my creditors. I am so pleased with Way Forward’s simple and stress-free process.
A special thank you to Nicole, who was absolutely amazing to deal with. She made the process feel easy and manageable. Her clear communication and care made a huge difference. I’m incredibly grateful for the support I received and would highly recommend Way Forward to anyone needing help with their finances.”
Stephen Otim Google Reviews