David Jones entered voluntary administration on 5 November 2026, and receivers were appointed the same day. The stores keep trading while a sale or recapitalisation is sought. For suppliers, landlords, staff and customers, the next few weeks will shape what they recover, and early action matters.

What has happened

McGrathNicol’s Matthew Hutton, Jason Preston, Shaun Fraser and Jacinta Nielsen were appointed voluntary administrators of the David Jones Group. FTI Consulting’s Christopher Hill, David McGrath and Joanne Dunn were appointed receivers and managers. ABC News reported that the receivers were appointed by Hilco, one of the retailer’s lenders.

Reuters reported that David Jones has about 6,000 staff across 38 stores. The appointees said a process seeking a recapitalisation or a going-concern sale would start immediately, managed by McGrathNicol. Facts are stated as at 5 November 2026.

Two appointments, two roles

A company in voluntary administration can also be in receivership. The roles differ.

  • The receivers act mainly for the secured lender. Here, they control the trading and property while they review operations. They must take reasonable care to sell secured assets for not less than market value.
  • The administrators investigate the company, run the sale or recapitalisation process and report to creditors. Creditors then decide the company’s future: a deed of company arrangement, liquidation or a return to the directors.

The first creditors’ meeting must be held within eight business days, by 17 November. The decision meeting is due within 25 business days, unless the court extends time. See our guide A receiver has been appointed.

Suppliers

Money owed for supplies before 5 November is generally an unsecured debt. Receivers have no obligation to pay pre-appointment unsecured debts. New supply is different: get a purchase order authorised by the receivers before delivering.

A supplier generally cannot terminate or change a contract merely because the company is under administration (Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 451E).

SBS has reported that many brands trade in David Jones stores as concessions, owning their stock. Check how your stock is held. A security interest that is not registered on the PPSR generally vests in the company on administration (PPSA s 267). Without registration, the goods may be sold for all creditors. See our guide to PPSR and retention of title.

If a liquidation follows, payments received in the six months before the relation-back day may be challenged as unfair preferences. After an administration, that is generally the day it began (ss 91, 513C).

Landlords

Westfield owner Scentre Group has said David Jones paid rent up to 30 September 2026. It has also said it holds bank guarantees that can be applied against unpaid rent.

During the administration, an owner or lessor generally cannot recover its property. Administrators who keep using leased premises become personally liable for rent after five business days. Receivers become liable after seven days, unless they give notice that they will not use the property. FTI has said the retail footprint is likely to be reduced in the near term.

Staff

The receivers have told staff they will continue to be paid normally. In a receivership, priority employee entitlements are paid from circulating assets ahead of the secured lender. The Fair Entitlements Guarantee is available only if the company enters liquidation, and it does not cover unpaid super.

Customers

Whether gift cards, laybys and deposits are honoured is a decision for those in control. If they are not, holders are generally ordinary unsecured creditors. Customers should follow the administrators’ announcements.

What creditors should do now

  1. Calculate what you are owed at 5 November and keep the invoices.
  2. Check your contract and PPSR registrations, and list any of your stock held in stores.
  3. Supply on credit only against a purchase order authorised by the receivers.
  4. Lodge a proof of debt and attend the first meeting. Consider joining the committee of inspection.
  5. Landlords: diarise the five-business-day and seven-day periods, and check any bank guarantee.
  6. Keep records of payments received in the past six months.

What directors of exposed suppliers should do now

  • Prepare a cash flow forecast that assumes no further payments from David Jones.
  • Take advice early. Safe harbour may protect directors pursuing a credible turnaround plan.

What to watch

  • The first meeting. Due by 17 November, when creditors can form a committee of inspection.
  • Store closures. Which sites close, and whether stock moves between stores.
  • The sale process. Whether a buyer or recapitaliser emerges, and on what terms.
  • The timetable. Whether the administrators ask the court for more time.

To discuss how these developments affect you, contact us on +61 7 3229 9800 or send us an enquiry online.

This article is general information only and is not legal advice.

Sources: McGrathNicol — David Jones Group, creditor information (appointment 5 November 2026); ABC News — David Jones calls in administrators (5 November 2026); ABC News — David Jones behind on rent for Westfield stores (4 November 2026); Reuters — David Jones enters administration, faces sale (5 November 2026); Inside Retail — Scentre Group statement on rent and bank guarantees (November 2026); SBS News — concession model (November 2026); ASIC — Voluntary administration: a guide for creditors (INFO 74); ASIC — Receivership: a guide for creditors (INFO 54); ASIC — Receivership: a guide for employees; ASIC — Liquidation: a guide for creditors; ASIC — Insolvency and consumer rights; PPSR — Why register on the PPSR?; Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss 91, 451E, 513C; Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth), s 267.