The form/s you need to complete depends on whether you:
If you're unable to submit your Debtor's Petition and/or Statement of Affairs forms online, you can submit paper versions of the forms to AFSA by email or post.
Download the required forms online at Forms for bankruptcy applications. Please open and complete the forms using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
It is important that you submit BOTH forms together once completed.
If you're having any issues downloading the forms, please contact us or call 1300 364 785.
Important: Once accepted, voluntary bankruptcy cannot be cancelled or withdrawn if you change your mind. Before continuing, please read: Before entering bankruptcy.
Completing the forms
Voluntarily applying for bankruptcy
There are several steps to completing your application for bankruptcy.
Step 1: Download and complete both the:
- Debtor's Petition form
- Statement of Affairs form.
Step 2: Read the prescribed information on page 1 of the Debtor's Petition.
Step 3: You must verify your identity by showing photo identification to a witness. The witness will also be required to sign the Debtor's Petition. If photo identification is unavailable, please see How to have a witness confirm my identity?
Step 4: Sign the declaration in 'Section K' of the Statement of Affairs form if you're posting or emailing the form yourself.
Step 5: Ensure you've completed all sections and that your responses are accurate. Make sure that you have gathered any supporting documentation. Incorrect answers or missing documentation may lead to delays.
Step 6: Submit both the Debtor's Petition and Statement of Affairs forms and any other documents via:
- Email: registry@afsa.gov.au, or
- Post to:
Australian Financial Security Authority
GPO Box 1550
ADELAIDE SA 500
Important: Both forms must be submitted at the same time. We may not accept your application if the forms are not returned to AFSA together, or if they are incomplete.
Applying jointly with someone else or as a member of a business partnership?
Each person must complete separate Debtor's Petition and Statement of Affairs forms. All forms by all parties should be posted or emailed together to ensure they are received at the same time.
A creditor has made you bankrupt (sequestration order)
If you have been made bankrupt by a court order (sequestration order), you are only required to complete a Statement of Affairs form. Do NOT submit a Debtor's Petition form.
Your Statement of Affairs will need to be lodged with the Official Receiver (AFSA) and your trustee. This must be done within 14 days of the date you were advised of your bankruptcy.
Step 1: Download and complete the Statement of Affairs form.
Step 2: Sign the declaration in 'Section K' of the Statement of Affairs form if you're emailing or posting the form yourself.
Step 3: Review your form to make sure all sections are completed, and your responses are accurate. Make sure that you have gathered any supporting documentation. Incorrect answers or missing documentation may lead to delays.
Step 4: Submit your completed Statement of Affairs form and any other documents via:
- Email: registry@afsa.gov.au, or
- Post to:
Australian Financial Security Authority
GPO Box 1550
ADELAIDE SA 5000
Supporting documents
You must also provide additional documents to support your submission if any of the below circumstances apply to you:
- You have stated at question 10 of the Statement of Affairs form that you intend to submit a Request for information on the NPII to be withheld, removed or corrected form with the Inspector-General for consideration. You must return your completed form with your Debtor's Petition and/or Statement of Affairs forms.
- You have consent from a registered trustee to manage your bankruptcy. You must include a signed copy of the Trustee Consent to Act Declaration.
- You currently do not reside in Australia and need to provide evidence of your connection to Australia. This may include:
- travel itinerary showing travels to and from Australia
- evidence of overseas employment
- most recent Australian tax return.
- You are applying for bankruptcy as part of a business partnership. You must attach documents relating to the financial affairs of the partnership such as:
- profit and loss statements
- balance sheet
- taxation documents.
- You need someone to complete your application (Debtor's Petition) on your behalf due to physical incapacity, low vision/blindness, low literacy or are non-English speaking. A signed statement must be provided with your application.
Do not provide these documents if the above circumstances do not apply to you.
How to have a witness confirm your identity
For AFSA to accept your bankruptcy application, you must verify your identity by showing photo identification, in person, to a witness. The witness must also sign the Debtor's Petition form and enter their name and address.
The witness can be a partner, friend or family member. If a registered trustee or financial counsellor is helping you complete your application, they may also verify your photographic identification and act as your witness.
Some examples of photo identification include:
- Australian Passport (current)
- Australian driver licence
- Foreign Passport (current)
- Australian tertiary student card (current)
- Photo identification card issued for Australian regulatory purposes (for example, Aviation/Maritime Security Identification)
- Government employee ID (Australian Federal/State/Territory)
- Defence Force Identity Card (with photo or signature).
If photo identification is not available, then you may use documents such as a:
- Medicare card
- birth certificate
- marriage certificate
- Australian citizenship certificate.
Important information
Request to withhold certain information from the NPII
If you believe your safety will or is likely to be at risk by publishing your address or other information on the National Personal Insolvency Index (NPII), you may apply to have your address or other information withheld from the NPII. We cannot withhold your name or date of birth.
If you do not submit this form at the same time as your Debtor's Petition and/or Statement of Affairs forms, your information may continue to be published on the NPII.
For more information on how to make this request, see Can I withhold, remove or correct my details that appear on the National Personal Insolvency Index?
Completing a bankruptcy application on behalf on someone else
In some situations, it may be possible to complete a bankruptcy application on behalf of someone else, by signing the Debtor's Petition form on their behalf. This can only be done where the applicant is:
- blind, partially sighted, illiterate or partially literate
- non-English speaking, or
- physically unable to complete the form due to physical incapacity.
Note: 'Physical incapacity' means an inability to act due to illness, injury or a physical condition. It does not include where an individual is unable to sign due to absence (for example, living remotely, being overseas or in prison).
For more information on this process, see Complete a bankruptcy application on behalf of someone else.