Enter your financials for an instant, data-driven comparison of all available options — completely free and confidential.
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Just completed the ATO Business Viability Tool?
If the ATO tool flagged concerns about your business viability, this calculator is your next step — it shows you exactly which formal pathway best suits your situation.
DEBTRELIEFNAVIGATOR
🔒 100% Confidential
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AssetsLiabilitiesCircumstancesResults
Current assets
What to enterInclude all money your company currently holds in bank accounts, petty cash, or term deposits that are accessible.
💡 E.g. business cheque account $8,000 + savings $7,000 = $15,000
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What to enterEnter the amount you realistically expect to collect from customers who owe you money — not the total invoiced. Exclude debts older than 90 days or from customers unlikely to pay.
💡 If your debtor book is $60,000 but $15,000 is doubtful, enter $45,000
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What to enterEnter what your stock would realistically sell for quickly — not the retail price or what you paid for it. In a liquidation, stock is often sold at 20–40 cents in the dollar of cost price.
💡 Stock cost you $50,000 → enter approx $15,000–$20,000 as realisable value
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What to enterInclude prepaid expenses, deposits held by others (e.g. rental bonds), or any other short-term asset convertible to cash within 12 months.
What to enterEnter the current market value — what you could realistically sell these items for today, not the purchase price or book value. Check similar items on Gumtree or machinery auction sites for a guide.
💡 A ute bought for $45,000 two years ago might sell for $28,000 today
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What to enterEnter the current market value of any property owned by the company — not the mortgage balance. If the property has a mortgage, still enter the full value here and enter the mortgage amount under Secured Liabilities.
💡 Property worth $400,000 with a $250,000 mortgage → enter $400,000 here
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What to enterOnly enter this if the business has genuine transferable value — e.g. a customer base, brand, licences, or established contracts that another buyer would pay for. In a liquidation, intangibles are typically worth very little. In a going-concern sale, they can be significant.
💡 A café with a loyal customer base and strong lease might have $30,000–$50,000 in goodwill value
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What to enterInclude any other assets the company owns that have realisable value — e.g. fit-out, tools, computers, leasehold improvements (if transferable), or long-term deposits.
What to enterEnter the current outstanding balance on any bank loans, overdrafts, lines of credit, or equipment finance where the lender holds security (e.g. a mortgage or PPSR registration) over company assets.
What to enterAny other debt where the creditor holds registered security over company assets — e.g. a PPSR-registered supplier, a private lender with a charge over assets, or a director who has a formal security interest.
💡 Check the PPSR register at ppsr.gov.au to identify all registered security interests against your company
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Priority creditors
What to enterInclude all unpaid wages, annual leave, long service leave, and superannuation contributions that are overdue. These are priority creditors under the Corporations Act — they are paid before unsecured creditors in any insolvency process.
💡 E.g. unpaid wages $8,000 + annual leave $10,000 + super arrears $7,000 = $25,000
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What to enterInclude all amounts owed to the Australian Taxation Office — GST, PAYG withholding, income tax, and any penalties or interest. Check your ATO Online Services or contact your accountant for the current integrated client account balance.
💡 Log in to ATO Online Services (business portal) to see your exact current balance including interest charges
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Unsecured creditors
What to enterThe total amount currently owed to suppliers and service providers for goods or services already received. Include overdue invoices and any amounts on payment plans. Exclude any amounts with registered security (put those under Secured).
💡 Check your accounts payable ledger or ask your bookkeeper for a creditor aged trial balance
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What to enterLoans made to the company by directors, shareholders, family members, or associated entities. These are unsecured creditors unless formally secured. Be accurate — related-party transactions are reviewed closely by a liquidator or administrator.
💡 E.g. director loan account $20,000 — even if you don't intend to call it in, it must be declared
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What to enterInclude the remaining obligations on any leases — commercial premises, equipment, or vehicles. For premises, this is typically the rent outstanding plus any remaining lease term liability. If you're unsure, use the total rent remaining on the lease as a guide.
💡 E.g. 18 months left on lease at $5,000/month = $90,000 total exposure — enter what is formally owed or overdue
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What to enterAny other amounts owed that are not secured — e.g. personal guarantees called upon, legal judgments, customer deposits, or loans from friends/associates not covered above.
Why this mattersA trading business has going-concern value — customers, relationships, and revenue that can be preserved. This significantly improves the case for VA or SBR over liquidation.
💡 Turn OFF if the business has already ceased operating or has no active revenue. Note: for SBR, the business must also be capable of covering its ongoing operating costs during the restructuring period — not just currently trading
Business is operationally profitable
EBITDA positive before debt servicing
Why this mattersThis means the business makes money from its operations before paying loan repayments, ATO debt, or legacy creditors. A profitable core business is the strongest argument for restructuring — it can survive if the debt burden is managed.
💡 Ask yourself: if we had no historical debt, would this business make a profit each month?
Strong customer & supplier relationships
Goodwill and contracts have genuine value
Why this mattersLong-term customers, established supplier terms, and ongoing contracts all add value that disappears in a liquidation but can be preserved through VA or SBR. If a buyer would pay a premium to acquire the customer base, this is ON.
What is a DOCA contribution?A Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) is a formal agreement between the company and its creditors. Directors often contribute personal funds into a DOCA pool to increase the return to creditors — making it more attractive than liquidation and increasing the chance creditors vote to accept it.
💡 Even a modest contribution (e.g. $20,000–$50,000) can make a DOCA viable. Speak to Lauren about what level is realistic for your situation.
Employee entitlements are fully up to date
Wages, leave & super are current — required for SBR
Why this is an SBR eligibility requirementFor Small Business Restructuring, all employee wages, annual leave, and superannuation must be paid and current at the time of appointment. This protects employees during the restructuring process. If super or wages are in arrears, SBR is not currently available — but this may be fixable before appointment.
💡 Check your super clearing house and payroll records — even $1 in unpaid super can disqualify you from SBR
Tax lodgements are up to date (or on ATO plan)
Required for SBR eligibility
Why this is an SBR eligibility requirementAll BAS, income tax returns, and other tax lodgements must be up to date — or the company must be operating under a current, compliant payment plan with the ATO. Outstanding lodgements (even if you can't pay) disqualify you from SBR. Lodgements and payment are separate — you can owe money but still be eligible if returns are lodged.
💡 Log into ATO Online Services or ask your accountant to confirm all lodgements are current
Director has insolvent trading exposure
Risk of personal liability — VA moratorium provides protection
What is insolvent trading?Under the Corporations Act, a director can be personally liable for debts incurred while knowing (or ought to have known) the company was insolvent. If you've been aware the company couldn't pay its debts and have continued trading, this risk may exist. Voluntary Administration provides a moratorium that pauses this exposure and is one of the strongest reasons to act now.
💡 If you're unsure whether this applies to you, this is one of the most important things to discuss with Lauren in a free consultation
Significant creditor pressure or legal action
Demands, garnishees, or winding-up notices received
Why this mattersActive creditor enforcement — statutory demands, garnishee orders on your bank account, or winding-up applications — significantly narrows your time and options. A VA or CVL appointment immediately pauses most creditor enforcement action. The longer you wait after receiving a statutory demand, the fewer options remain.
💡 A statutory demand gives you 21 days to respond before a creditor can apply to wind up your company — time is critical
Company or director has not used SBR or simplified liquidation in last 7 years
Required for SBR eligibility under the Corporations Act — applies to company and related director entities
Why this is an SBR eligibility requirementUnder the Corporations Act 2001 s453B(1)(f), neither the company nor any director (including through related entities) can access SBR if the company or a related company has previously used SBR or simplified liquidation within the last 7 years. This bar applies to the director personally — not just the company — so a director who used SBR through a different company within the last 7 years is also affected.
💡 This also applies to related entities — if a director was involved in another company that used SBR in the last 7 years, this should be OFF