Whether it’s for buying furniture, a car, or a home, the majority of Australians have used debt. For most, repaying debt is a formality, but for others who cannot manage their debt, it can be the first step on the slope to bankruptcy. Fortunately, alternatives are available when it comes to managing your debt.

Insolvency in Australia

The Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) regularly publishes statistics on insolvency. The latest report showed that in 2016-17, 16,320 Australians became bankrupt, 13,597 entered into debt agreements, and a further 244 into personal insolvency agreements. The data shows a trend toward debt agreements, with AFSA recording that debt agreement activity reached its highest level on record in 2016-17, whilst bankruptcy activity has fallen. Media advertisements would have us believe that the best way to beat debt is to establish a debt agreement. But is this the case?

What are debt agreements?

Debt agreements allow debtors to freeze interest payments, and consolidate multiple debts into a single bundle with one regular payment. To be eligible, debtors must have a net income of less than $1,599.41 per week, have unsecured debts of less than $110,892.60 and assets up to the same value. Furthermore, applicants cannot have been an undischarged bankrupt nor had a debt agreement in place over the previous ten years. Some benefits of debt agreements include:

  • halting legal action including bankruptcy proceedings,
  • allowing debtors to be directors of corporations, and
  • permitting the retention of assets.

However, debt agreements can be costly to prepare, and even after one has been established, creditors are not obligated to accept its terms.

The alternatives

Other options available include:

  • Private agreements with creditors – negotiate directly with creditors to arrive at mutually agreeable terms. Debtors have the right to seek hardship variation terms which may involve extending the loan term or freezing payments.
  • Personal insolvency arrangements – similar to debt agreements but less costly and more prohibitive. These agreements allow more tailoring of the terms and conditions of the agreement, and do not require debtors to satisfy income, asset and debt eligibility criteria.
  • Bankruptcy – the final step for debt management, although the Official Receiver has the option to refuse the petition for a bankruptcy if certain conditions are not satisfied. Bankruptcy can also have career consequences, with bankrupt individuals unable to hold company directorships, and face exclusion from professional organisations.

The options discussed in this article are often those of last resort. Sometimes we just need someone else to look at our position and offer professional guidance to managing your debt and get us back on track.

You can visit www.debtselfhelp.org.au. This website has some excellent tools to give you a tailored assessment of your options.

If you’re struggling, give me a call for an obligation-free chat which won’t cost you a thing, to see how I and help and give you direction on regaining control over your finances.

There is help close by.

Sources:
www.moneysmart.gov.au Managing your money
www.debtselfhelp.org.au

This article contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information.