Are you struggling to get someone to pay you back?
If someone owes you money, you may be able to pursue payment through the personal insolvency system, depending on the amount of money owed.
Find out more about how to check if someone is already bankrupt, the process to make someone bankrupt and your rights as a creditor in a bankruptcy or other insolvency options.
Before making someone bankrupt
Before exploring options to make someone bankrupt, you can do a Bankruptcy Register Search to check if someone is, or has been, in a personal insolvency proceeding such as bankruptcy.
Also find out more about what you can and can't do as a creditor seeking payment.
Steps to make someone bankrupt
If a person (or debtor) owes you or your business $10,000 or more, you can apply to make them bankrupt.
Creditors are encouraged by consumer protection laws to take a flexible approach to payment arrangements. We do recommend trying to negotiate an informal payment agreement first.
Your rights as a creditor
When a person who owes you money enters an insolvency proceeding, your rights to pursue them for payment may change.
The type of debt will determine whether you can pursue payment.
Confirm or update a bankruptcy
It's important to include your debt and keep your information updated. This allows the trustee to tell you if there is any money available for creditors.
Creditor information
Explore key processes and guidance for creditors, including lodging a proof of debt, understanding trustee fees, dealing with unclaimed money and help with our online systems.
