If you've been made bankrupt by a court (through a sequestration order) and need to fill out a 'Statement of Affairs', see Bankruptcy by sequestration order form.
Completing your application for bankruptcy offline
The forms listed on this page are for those who are voluntarily applying for bankruptcy and require paper-based forms.
To complete your application via Online Services, see Completing your bankruptcy application online.
If you have any questions or require help, you can contact us or call 1300 364 785.
Required forms
To apply for bankruptcy, you must download and complete the Debtor's Petition and Statement of Affairs forms. Both forms must be returned to AFSA at the same time.
The Debtor's Petition is a formal application to the Official Receiver (AFSA), to request to make yourself bankrupt.
A statement of affairs is a formal legal document completed by a debtor. It contains personal and financial information to provide an overview of their financial situation.
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 must be submitted on the same day.
Related forms (optional)
Depending on your situation, there may be some additional forms that you need to complete to support your application for bankruptcy.
If you have consent from a registered trustee to manage your bankruptcy, you must have them complete and sign this form.
If publishing information on the NPII will or is likely to put your safety at risk, complete and submit this form with your application.
If you need to provide extra information to responses in the Statement of Affairs, additional pages are available for downloading.
When completing a bankruptcy application on someone else's behalf (for example, due to physical incapacity/low vision), the person signing must complete a signed statement.
Submitting your forms to AFSA
Submit the completed Debtor's Petition and Statement of Affairs forms along with any other attachments via:
Email: registry@afsa.gov.au, or
Post: Australian Financial Security Authority
GPO Box 1550
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Avoid delays with your application
To reduce the chance of your application being delayed, make sure your responses are accurate, and you have gathered any supporting documentation. If you submit your forms without all the required information, we may refuse to accept them and you may be required to complete an updated form.
Getting help
The consequences of bankruptcy are serious. Financial counsellors help people in financial difficulty and are available in every state and territory. Their services are free, independent and confidential. You can talk to a financial counsellor from anywhere in Australia by calling the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. For more information, see Where to find help managing debts.