Commentary: business related

Occupations of debtors with a business related personal insolvency.

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Most common occupations in 2013-14

The most common usual occupations of debtors who entered a business related personal insolvency in 2013–14 were:

  • Construction trades workers
    • 669 debtors
    • Economic conditions were the most common cause of insolvency
  • Road and rail drivers
    • 353 debtors
    • Economic conditions were the most common cause of insolvency
  • Hospitality, retail and services managers
    • 289 debtors
    • Economic conditions were the most common cause of insolvency
  • Other technicians and trades workers
    • 282 debtors
    • Economic conditions were the most common cause of insolvency
    • These occupations include:
      • Hairdressers,
      • Printing trades workers,
      • Textile, clothing and footwear trades workers and
      • Wood trades workers.

See the Causes of personal insolvency publication for more information on causes of insolvency.

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Changes in occupations of debtors since 2010-11

The highest increases in the number of debtors entering business related personal insolvencies occurred in the following occupations between 2010–11 and 2013–14:

  • Construction trades workers
    • Insolvent debtors increased from 504 debtors in 2010–11 to 669 in 2013–14
    • Employed workforce fell from 378,800 workers in the May quarter 2011 to 368,200 workers in the May quarter 2014*
    • The largest increase was in painting trades workers.
  • Other technicians and trades workers
    • Insolvent debtors increased from 234 debtors in 2010–11 to 282 in 2013–14
    • Employed workforce increased from 174,300 workers in the May quarter 2011 to 194,000 workers in the May quarter 2014*
    • The largest increase in a specific occupation was in hairdressers.
  • Legal, social and welfare professionals
    • Insolvent debtors increased from 51 debtors in 2010–11 to 71 in 2013–14
    • Employed workforce increased from 183,300 workers in the May quarter 2011 to 204,500 workers in the May quarter 2014*
    • The largest increase was in solicitors.
  • Retired
    • Insolvent debtors increased from 23 debtors in 2010–11 to 48 in 2013–14.

* Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly, Nov 2014, catalogue number 6291.0.55.003

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