Time Limits for Enforcing a Judgment in Queensland involve three separate periods: six years to start enforcement without leave because of the order’s age, 12 years for a fresh action upon a judgment, and ordinarily one year for an enforcement warrant.
After six years, a creditor must obtain leave and establish the unpaid balance, reasons for delay, entitlement to enforce and the debtor’s continuing liability. A change in creditor or debtor can also require leave.
The 12-year period does not automatically bar execution, although the directly relevant 2026 Secure Funding decision is under appeal.
Warrant renewal must be sought before expiry.
In this article, our debt recovery lawyers explain the rules, two case examples, practical scenarios, interest, payment arrangements, QCAT decisions and the steps available to challenge defective enforcement. Filing a challenge does not itself stay a warrant.
