Bankruptcy
The Attorney-General has responsibility for bankruptcy policy, the Bankruptcy Act 1966 and the Australian Financial Security Authority.
The Bankruptcy Act and associated legislation regulates Australia's personal insolvency system and provides a framework to allow people in severe financial stress to discharge unmanageable debts while providing for the realisation of a debtor's available assets for distribution to affected creditors.
Economic response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
On 24 March 2020, the Australian Government made temporary changes to bankruptcy laws as part of its economic response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The changes will help Australians facing financial distress by reducing the threat of people being forced into bankruptcy during these difficult times.
The temporary changes increase the:
- level of debt required before a creditor can make someone bankrupt from $5000 to $20,000
- timeframe for a debtor to respond to a Bankruptcy Notice from 21 days to 6 months
- temporary debt protection period from 21 days to 6 months.
These changes have been limited to 6 months to ensure they respond appropriately and proportionately to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Get more information about the Australian Government's economic response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on The Treasury website.
Australian Financial Security Authority
The administration and regulation of Australia's bankruptcy system is the responsibility of the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA).
The AFSA website has further information about bankruptcy, including:
- what to do about unmanageable personal debts
- what to do if you are owed money by a person
- how to be a trustee or administrator
- complaints processes
- personal insolvency in the context of Coronavirus.