Queensland company insolvencies did not follow the national decline in 2025–26. ASIC data shows 2,706 Queensland companies entered external administration or had a controller appointed for the first time, up 0.5% on 2024–25, while the national total fell 3.9%. The new financial year has started higher again, with July and August 2026 up 10.3% on the same months last year.
Key figures
| Companies entering external administration (first time) | 2024–25 | 2025–26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland | 2,693 | 2,706 | +0.5% |
| Australia | 14,722 | 14,153 | −3.9% |
| Queensland share of national total | 18.3% | 19.1% |
July and August 2026 recorded 534 Queensland companies, compared with 484 in July and August 2025. The national figure for the same two months rose 23.2%, but ASIC notes that August 2026 includes 542 related companies in the Bathla Group, a New South Wales property and construction group.
The trend since 2021
Queensland insolvencies rose sharply for three years from 2021–22, and have now levelled off at close to three times the 2021–22 level.
| Financial year | Queensland companies |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 | 952 |
| 2022–23 | 1,457 |
| 2023–24 | 2,036 |
| 2024–25 | 2,693 |
| 2025–26 | 2,706 |
| 2026–27 (July and August only) | 534 |
By quarter, 2025–26 recorded 693 (July–September), 799 (October–December), 580 (January–March) and 634 (April–June).
Group appointments affect the count
ASIC counts companies, not corporate groups, so one appointment over a large group can move the figures. In 2025–26, 163 Queensland companies (6%) were part of appointments of 10 or more companies by the same appointee on the same day, compared with 103 in 2024–25.
Excluding those group appointments, Queensland fell 1.8% in 2025–26 (2,590 to 2,543), against a national fall of 4.0%. For July and August 2026, the adjusted Queensland figure is up 2.6% (461 to 473), while the national figure is down 1.0%. On either measure, Queensland is doing worse than the national figure.
Types of appointment
| Queensland | 2024–25 | 2025–26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creditors’ voluntary liquidation | 1,104 | 1,217 | +10.2% |
| Court liquidation | 482 | 541 | +12.2% |
| Small business restructuring | 650 | 405 | −37.7% |
| Voluntary administration | 257 | 272 | +5.8% |
| Receiver and manager appointed | 73 | 131 | +79.5% |
| Receiver appointed | 56 | 77 | +37.5% |
Court liquidations are rising. A court liquidation follows a creditor’s winding-up application, usually after an unpaid statutory demand. The 12.2% rise in Queensland (13.8% nationally) shows creditors are enforcing more often.
Small business restructuring has fallen sharply. Restructuring appointments fell 37.7% in Queensland and 41.3% nationally. The Australian Taxation Office, the main creditor in most of these plans, has taken a tougher approach to approving them. It now asks to see a draft plan at least five business days before it goes to creditors. Directors who would once have used the process are more often moving to liquidation, which makes early advice more important. Our guide to voluntary administration and restructuring explains the options.
Secured lenders are enforcing. Receiver and manager appointments rose by almost 80%. 51 of the 131 in 2025–26 came from group appointments, but the underlying number still rose. Receivership sales can create opportunities for buyers; see distressed acquisitions.
Industries
| Queensland industry | 2024–25 | 2025–26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 565 | 569 | +0.7% |
| Accommodation and food services | 465 | 389 | −16.3% |
| Retail trade | 168 | 290 | +72.6% |
| Other services | 284 | 288 | +1.4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 182 | 174 | −4.4% |
| Transport, postal and warehousing | 117 | 142 | +21.4% |
Construction remains the largest industry, at 21% of Queensland insolvencies. Retail’s rise is partly explained by two group appointments covering 85 companies; without them, retail is still up 22%. In July and August 2026, health care and social assistance recorded 60 companies, against 19 a year earlier, but 44 of those came from a single group appointment.
Regions
| Region (principal place of business) | 2024–25 | 2025–26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | 535 | 569 | +6.4% |
| Brisbane Inner City | 358 | 363 | +1.4% |
| Sunshine Coast | 238 | 211 | −11.3% |
| Brisbane – South | 129 | 148 | +14.7% |
| Logan – Beaudesert | 102 | 105 | +2.9% |
| Fitzroy (Rockhampton and Gladstone) | 64 | 82 | +28.1% |
| Cairns | 64 | 75 | +17.2% |
| Mackay | 51 | 73 | +43.1% |
The Gold Coast recorded more insolvencies than any other Queensland region, well ahead of Brisbane’s inner city. The fastest increases were in regional Queensland: Mackay, Fitzroy and Cairns.
What this means
- Creditors: other creditors are enforcing too. Act promptly on overdue debts, check your security is registered on the PPSR, and lodge a proof of debt when a customer enters administration or liquidation. See debt recovery.
- Directors: with small business 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 court liquidations and receiverships mean more recovery claims and more distressed sales. See liquidator claims.
About this data
This snapshot is Taylor David’s analysis of ASIC Insolvency Statistics Series 1 (companies entering external administration or having a controller appointed for the first time), released 28 September 2026 with data to 13 September 2026. Companies are counted by principal place of business. September 2026 is excluded because ASIC treats the latest month as provisional. A “group appointment” means 10 or more companies with the same appointee and appointment date. 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 28 September 2026); ASIC Corporate Insolvency Update, Issue 41 (October 2026); ASIC, How to interpret ASIC’s corporate insolvency statistics; Broker News, “ATO tightens screws on small business restructuring deals” (20 August 2026).