All guides

How personal bankruptcy works in Australia in 2026, from applying through AFSA to discharge after 3 years and 1 day, debts released and not released, travel, credit and jobs.

How compulsory income contributions work in Australian bankruptcy, AFSA's income thresholds by dependants from 20 September 2026, what counts as income and how to vary an assessment.

The status of Australian personal insolvency reforms as at October 2026, including the lapsed one-year bankruptcy bill, the 2019 debt agreement changes and current proposals.

Who can propose a debt agreement under Part IX of the Bankruptcy Act in 2026, AFSA's indexed limits from 20 September 2026, the 3-year term rule and what happens next.

The full ladder of debt options in Australia in 2026, from free hardship requests and financial counselling to Part IX debt agreements, Part X agreements and bankruptcy.

How a Part X personal insolvency agreement works in Australia, the controlling trustee, the creditors' special resolution, costs, credit report effects and when it beats bankruptcy.

Which assets are protected when you go bankrupt in Australia in 2026, the indexed limits for vehicles and tools of trade, what happens to your home and super, and traps to avoid.

Credit report retention periods for bankruptcy, debt agreements, defaults, judgments and hardship under Australia's Privacy Act Part IIIA, with worked timelines and NPII rules.

An illustrative Australian debt agreement costed line by line, with administrator fees, what creditors receive, and comparisons with repaying in full, a frozen-interest plan and bankruptcy.

A step-by-step checklist for choosing between hardship, an informal plan, a debt agreement, a Part X agreement and bankruptcy in Australia, with three illustrative households.

How to ask several creditors for financial hardship help at once in Australia, the National Credit Code s 72 timeframes, worked numbers for a household, and non-credit hardship programs.

Five illustrative Australian households showing how bankruptcy income contributions are calculated with AFSA's thresholds from 20 September 2026, including pay rises, bonuses and dependants.

What happens to co-borrowers, guarantors, partners and jointly owned property when one person enters a debt agreement or bankruptcy in Australia, with illustrative worked examples.

How to negotiate a payment plan, interest freeze or lump-sum settlement with Australian creditors and collectors without a formal insolvency option, with worked offers and a pro-rata split.

Limitation periods for consumer debts in each Australian state and territory, when the clock starts and restarts, worked date examples, and what to do if a collector chases an old debt.

How to complain about a refused hardship request, a default, a debt collector or irresponsible lending in Australia, RG 271 timeframes, AFCA's free process and what it can achieve.

What a bankruptcy notice is in Australia, the 21-day deadline, the $10,000 creditor's petition minimum, how to respond, set aside or negotiate, and what happens at the court hearing.

What debt collectors can and cannot do in Australia, contact limits in the ACCC and ASIC Debt collection guideline, debt buyers, disputing a debt, and how to complain.

The most common and costly mistakes Australians make when dealing with debt, from paying debt firms and unaffordable debt agreements to ignoring bankruptcy notices, with what to do instead.

How debt management and debt help firms are regulated in Australia, ASIC credit licensing and AFSA registration, typical fee models, ten warning signs and how to check a firm.

Where to get free, independent debt help in Australia — National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007, Mob Strong Debt Help, Legal Aid, AFSA, AFCA, ASIC — plus a brief note on Centrelink debts.