Applying for a bankruptcy notice
If someone owes you or your organisation $10,000 or more, you can apply for a bankruptcy notice using an AFSA Online Services account, in the professional and creditor services portal.
Usually, applying for a bankruptcy notice is part of the process to make someone bankrupt.
For more information on what a bankruptcy notice is, see Bankruptcy notice.
What creditors and solicitors can do online
The AFSA Online Services portal allows creditors and solicitors to:
- apply for and manage bankruptcy notices, including extensions, amendments and returned notices
- save and exit partly completed bankruptcy notice applications, with no time limit to resume and submit
- track the completeness of details entered, by way of validation messages advising which sections are yet to be completed
- view and download a draft copy of bankruptcy notice applications for review prior to submission
- upload documents to support applications
- track the progress of applications once submitted
- update contact details for online lodgements
- view account details, transaction history and make an account payment.
Creating an AFSA Online Services account
To apply for a bankruptcy notice, you must have an AFSA Online Services account, either as an organisation user or an individual user.
Organisation
Sign in using Digital ID
If you have a Digital ID linked to an Australian Business Number (ABN) in Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM), you can use it to sign in by selecting Continue with Digital ID on the sign in page. This creates your Online Services account and allows you to act on behalf of an organisation.
For more information, see Using Digital ID with AFSA's online professional and creditor services portal.
Create a username and password account
If you're unable to sign in using Digital ID and think your organisation already uses AFSA Online Services, please ask to be invited by your AFSA Online Services administrator.
If your organisation is not registered in AFSA Online Services, an account can be created on the portal for professional and creditor services page using either of the below methods:
- Select Create an online account – this means any new users must be invited to create a username and password account linked to the organisation. Digital ID cannot be used to sign in.
- Have someone from your organisation sign in using Digital ID (linked to the ABN) by selecting Continue with Digital ID – this means any new users can sign in using Digital ID or be invited to create a username and password account linked to the organisation.
Individual user
If you do not work for an organisation with an Australian Business Number (ABN) select Create an online account on the sign in page to create a username and password account. Then select Register individual account.
Frequently asked questions
We do not require any proof of identity documentation when you register as an individual user.
For information on how to make a payment in our online service, see Creditor bankruptcy notice payment information.
An amendment of a bankruptcy notice can only be requested if it has not been served on the debtor.
- Locate the issued bankruptcy notice and request the amendment using either of the below methods:
- Search by selecting the Bankruptcy Notices tile from your dashboard. Open the application and select the Submit Amendment Application button.
- Select Menu, Bankruptcy Notice, Amend Bankruptcy Notice, then select the Amend notice link next to the relevant bankruptcy notice.
- Change the original issued/endorsed bankruptcy notice – neatly draw a line through incorrect information and handwrite the replacement text next to it. Upload the marked up endorsed bankruptcy notice copy, along with the original judgement order using document type of Bankruptcy Notice marked up changes per judgment (merge into 1 PDF).
- Upload supporting documents as required:
- Court ordered amendment – upload the court order specifying the amendments to be made using document type of Court Order.
- Non-court ordered amendment – upload a statement of reason explaining details of the amendment using document type of Other Relevant documents.
- Proceed through the General details, Debtors, Creditors, Debtor instructions and Attachments tabs and update the information as required (the original application is replicated).
- Select Submit Application. A message advises the application is awaiting assessment by the Official Receiver and you will be notified once a decision has been made.
The system will display a new reference number for an amendment or extension of a bankruptcy notice.
An 'Original reference number' field shows the initial bankruptcy notice application number. Selecting the View original notice button will take you to the original bankruptcy notice (or to the amendment or extension notice as needed).