# How many companies are going insolvent in Australia? 1,808 Australian companies entered external administration for the first time in August 2026, up 66% on 1,090 a year earlier. That is the highest month since the series starts in September 2021. ## Findings - August 2026 was 5.8 times the September 2021 figure. - 14,722 companies entered external administration in the last 12 months, level with the 12 months before (14,768). - The highest month since September 2021 was August 2026, with 1,808. - ASIC publishes monthly totals only, so there is no split by procedure. ## Which industries have the most insolvencies? (September 2025 to August 2026) Construction had the most companies entering external administration: 3,976, 27% of the total. Counts, not rates. 1. Construction had 3,976 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 30 days to pay small business suppliers. 2. Accommodation and Food Services had 2,044 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 21.7 days to pay small business suppliers. 3. Other Services had 1,387 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 24.6 days to pay small business suppliers. 4. Professional, Scientific and Technical Services had 1,022 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 25.4 days to pay small business suppliers. 5. Retail Trade had 1,017 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 25.9 days to pay small business suppliers. 6. Transport, Postal and Warehousing had 826 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 27 days to pay small business suppliers. 7. Administrative and Support Services had 737 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 19.6 days to pay small business suppliers. 8. Manufacturing had 666 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 31.8 days to pay small business suppliers. 9. Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services had 532 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 22.7 days to pay small business suppliers. 10. Health Care and Social Assistance had 521 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 24.6 days to pay small business suppliers. 11. Financial and Insurance Services had 427 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 14.6 days to pay small business suppliers. 12. Arts and Recreation Services had 284 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 19.3 days to pay small business suppliers. 13. Information Media and Telecommunications had 262 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 24 days to pay small business suppliers. 14. Wholesale Trade had 224 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 27 days to pay small business suppliers. 15. Mining had 188 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 28 days to pay small business suppliers. 16. Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services had 188 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 21.3 days to pay small business suppliers. 17. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing had 171 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 23 days to pay small business suppliers. 18. Public Administration and Safety had 59 companies enter external administration, and its large businesses take a median of 22.1 days to pay small business suppliers. ## What does this mean for money owed to you? When an Australian company enters external administration, unsecured suppliers rank behind secured creditors, liquidator costs and employee entitlements and often recover little, so the time to act is while an invoice is still only late. [Debtor management software in Australia](https://www.paidnice.com/debtor-management-software) runs the reminders and statements that keep overdue invoices moving, and [late fees in Australia](https://www.paidnice.com/blog/late-fees-in-australia) give customers a reason to pay you first. For how long Australian businesses wait to be paid, see the [Australian accounts receivable statistics](https://www.paidnice.com/accounts-receivable-statistics/australia). ## Monthly, Australia (September 2021 to August 2026) month,companies 2021-09,314 2021-10,326 2021-11,432 2021-12,419 2022-01,263 2022-02,353 2022-03,464 2022-04,463 2022-05,560 2022-06,540 2022-07,715 2022-08,692 2022-09,643 2022-10,473 2022-11,655 2022-12,625 2023-01,359 2023-02,692 2023-03,830 2023-04,606 2023-05,866 2023-06,786 2023-07,855 2023-08,918 2023-09,722 2023-10,907 2023-11,891 2023-12,795 2024-01,555 2024-02,968 2024-03,1137 2024-04,996 2024-05,1249 2024-06,1060 2024-07,1238 2024-08,1168 2024-09,1227 2024-10,1362 2024-11,1441 2024-12,1050 2025-01,727 2025-02,1219 2025-03,1448 2025-04,1225 2025-05,1308 2025-06,1309 2025-07,1362 2025-08,1090 2025-09,1104 2025-10,1480 2025-11,1071 2025-12,1306 2026-01,634 2026-02,1260 2026-03,1306 2026-04,1102 2026-05,1104 2026-06,1334 2026-07,1213 2026-08,1808 ## Related guides - [debtor management software in Australia](https://www.paidnice.com/debtor-management-software) - [Debtor management in Australia](https://www.paidnice.com/blog/debtor-management-software-australia) - [What is debtor management?](https://www.paidnice.com/dictionary/debtor-management) - [Australian accounts receivable statistics](https://www.paidnice.com/accounts-receivable-statistics/australia) - [Late fees in Australia](https://www.paidnice.com/blog/late-fees-in-australia) - [Collecting debt in Australia](https://www.paidnice.com/blog/full-guide-collecting-debt-in-australia) - [Accounts receivable statistics](https://www.paidnice.com/accounts-receivable-statistics) - [Accounts receivable software](https://www.paidnice.com/accounts-receivable-software) Cite: Paidnice (2026). Australian company insolvency tracker. https://www.paidnice.com/payment-times/au/insolvencies. Source: ASIC insolvency statistics series 1, companies entering external administration for the first time, September 2021 to August 2026. Industry counts: September 2025 to August 2026. © Australian Securities & Investments Commission.