Pay on-time performance reports

The Australian Government has updated the way non-corporate Commonwealth entities (NCEs) report their payment performance under the Supplier Pay On-Time or Pay Interest Policy (the policy). 

The Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014 has been updated to include the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Procurement Reporting Measures) Rules 2026 for NCEs. 

Under the new rules, NCEs are required to publish online information about their performance against the policy and Commonwealth Procurement Rules.

The ACMA is committed to:

• meeting its obligations under the policy
• being transparent about our payment performance.

The policy is set out in Resource Management Guide (RMG) 417. It requires NCEs to pay suppliers within certain timeframes after:

• Receiving a correctly rendered tax invoice. Refer to ATO requirements.  
• Acknowledging satisfactory delivery of the goods or services provided under an agreement or contract.

Payment terms begin the day after these requirements are met.

The policy does not require payment where:

• an invoice is not correct
• goods or services have not been satisfactorily delivered 
• all or part of an invoice amount is disputed.

The maximum payment terms under the policy are either:

• 5 calendar days for e-invoicing transactions. This is where both the supplier and the NCE can exchange e-invoices through the Peppol network and have agreed to use this method.
• 20 calendar days for all other invoices, unless shorter payment terms have been agreed.

If an NCE does not make payment in full and on time, it must calculate and pay any interest accrued above $100.

We must ensure procurement documentation and supplier contracts include clauses that reflect the Supplier Pay On-Time Policy.

The policy continues to apply even where:

• a contract does not contain clauses reflecting the policy
• there is no written contract between the NCE and the supplier.

The policy does not apply to:

• procurement and consumption of goods and services overseas
• procurement of real property, including leases and licences
• procurements funded through an administered appropriation
• procurements where the nature or structure of the arrangement makes application of the policy impractical (for example, where procurement occurs under supplier standard terms and conditions)
• contracts or standing offers that were already in place, or being negotiated, before the policy came into effect
• procurements from another Commonwealth entity
• payments arising from non-procurement arrangements, such as grants.

You can access annual performance information below.

ACMA Pay On-Time Performance Report 2025–26

Please note: ‘The ACMA’ includes all officials of the entity, including Authority members, associate members, the eSafety Commissioner and ACMA staff. This includes staff assisting the eSafety Commissioner.

For further details or help, please contact our accounts payable team by email or on (02) 6219 5488.

Supplier Pay On-Time Policy (RMG 417)

Additional information

Examples of NCEs