Queensland company insolvencies rose 9.5% in the September quarter of 2026. ASIC data show 759 Queensland companies entered external administration or had a controller appointed for the first time, against 693 a year earlier. Excluding large group appointments, it was Queensland’s highest quarter since ASIC’s data set begins in July 2021.
Key figures
| Companies entering external administration (first time) | Jul–Sep 2025 | Jul–Sep 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland | 693 | 759 | +9.5% |
| Australia | 3,556 | 4,243 | +19.3% |
| Queensland share of national total | 19.5% | 17.9% |
Most of the national rise comes from one collapse. ASIC notes that its August 2026 figures include 542 related companies in the Bathla Group, a New South Wales property and construction group.
Group appointments affect the count
ASIC counts companies, not corporate groups, so one appointment over a large group can move the figures. We treat 10 or more companies with the same appointee and appointment date as a group appointment.
Excluding group appointments, Queensland rose 4.2% (670 to 698) and the national total rose 3.2% (3,442 to 3,552). On either measure, Queensland is rising faster than the national figure.
In Queensland, two group voluntary administrations covered 61 companies in the quarter. One involved 44 companies in health care and social assistance; the other involved 17 companies in electricity, gas, water and waste services.
The trend by quarter
| Quarter | Queensland companies | Excluding group appointments |
|---|---|---|
| Jul–Sep 2024 | 670 | 664 |
| Oct–Dec 2024 | 732 | 685 |
| Jan–Mar 2025 | 569 | 568 |
| Apr–Jun 2025 | 722 | 673 |
| Jul–Sep 2025 | 693 | 670 |
| Oct–Dec 2025 | 799 | 675 |
| Jan–Mar 2026 | 580 | 565 |
| Apr–Jun 2026 | 634 | 633 |
| Jul–Sep 2026 | 759 | 698 |
By financial year, Queensland recorded 952 companies in 2021–22, 1,457 in 2022–23, 2,036 in 2023–24, 2,693 in 2024–25 and 2,706 in 2025–26. After levelling off last year, the new financial year has started higher.
Types of appointment
| Queensland | Jul–Sep 2025 | Jul–Sep 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creditors’ voluntary liquidation | 291 | 332 | +14.1% |
| Court liquidation | 141 | 140 | −0.7% |
| Voluntary administration | 71 | 135 | +90.1% |
| Small business restructuring | 111 | 77 | −30.6% |
| Receiver and manager appointed | 31 | 24 | −22.6% |
| Receiver appointed | 21 | 24 | +14.3% |
More directors are choosing liquidation. Creditors’ voluntary liquidations rose 14.1% in Queensland and 13.4% nationally. They remain the most common appointment.
Small business restructuring keeps falling. Restructuring appointments fell 30.6% in Queensland and 27.0% nationally. The Australian Taxation Office, usually the largest creditor, now expects a draft plan at least five business days before it goes to creditors. Our guide to voluntary administration and restructuring explains the options.
Voluntary administrations are up, even without the groups. Excluding the two group appointments, Queensland administrations rose from 52 to 74.
Court liquidations have levelled off. After rising 12.2% in 2025–26, Queensland court liquidations were flat in the quarter. Nationally they fell 9.5%. A court liquidation usually follows an unpaid statutory demand and a winding-up application.
Industries
| Queensland industry | Jul–Sep 2025 | Jul–Sep 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 143 | 156 | +9.1% |
| Accommodation and food services | 90 | 106 | +17.8% |
| Other services | 88 | 87 | −1.1% |
| Health care and social assistance | 26 | 73 | +180.8% |
| Retail trade | 46 | 44 | −4.3% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 42 | 42 | 0.0% |
| Manufacturing | 27 | 36 | +33.3% |
| Financial and insurance services | 50 | 33 | −34.0% |
Construction remains the largest industry, at 21% of Queensland insolvencies. Our article on protecting subcontractors when a builder fails sets out the steps to take. Health care’s rise comes almost entirely from one group appointment of 44 companies.
Regions
| Region (principal place of business) | Jul–Sep 2025 | Jul–Sep 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | 142 | 151 | +6.3% |
| Brisbane Inner City | 110 | 101 | −8.2% |
| Sunshine Coast | 42 | 56 | +33.3% |
| Brisbane – South | 44 | 39 | −11.4% |
| Logan – Beaudesert | 23 | 34 | +47.8% |
| Ipswich | 21 | 33 | +57.1% |
| Brisbane – East | 22 | 29 | +31.8% |
| Cairns | 24 | 25 | +4.2% |
| Fitzroy (Rockhampton and Gladstone) | 22 | 24 | +9.1% |
The Gold Coast again recorded more insolvencies than any other region. The fastest rises were in Ipswich, Logan – Beaudesert and the Sunshine Coast. Quarterly regional counts are small, so they can move sharply.
What this means
- Creditors: act promptly on overdue debts and check your PPSR registrations. Lodge a proof of debt when a customer enters administration or liquidation. See our creditor’s checklist and debt recovery.
- Directors: with restructuring harder to get through, get advice early, while safe harbour and voluntary administration are still open. See safe harbour for directors and director penalty notices.
- Liquidators and investors: more liquidations mean more recovery claims and more distressed sales. See liquidator claims and distressed acquisitions.
About this data
This snapshot is Taylor David’s analysis of ASIC Insolvency Statistics Series 1. Series 1 counts companies entering external administration, or having a controller appointed, for the first time. It uses ASIC’s release of 2 November 2026, with data to 18 October 2026. Companies are counted by principal place of business. October 2026 is excluded because ASIC treats the latest month as provisional. Some companies are recorded against two possible regions and are not shown in the regions table. ASIC may revise earlier figures. We update this page each quarter.
To discuss how these trends 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: ASIC, Insolvency statistics, Series 1 and 2 (released 2 November 2026); ASIC, How to interpret ASIC’s corporate insolvency statistics; ATO, Small business restructuring (updated 27 March 2026).