ASIC’s annual insolvency data shows more than 11,000 companies entered external administration for the first time in 2023-24. While this is slightly higher than prior peaks seen in 2011-12 and 2012-13, it is proportionately smaller as there are now nearly 3.4 million companies in Australia compared to around two million in 2012.
The current ratio of companies entering external administration compared to the number registered (0.33%) is still below 2012-2013 (0.53%) levels.
Overall, the number of external administrations grew by 39% in 2023-24 compared to 2022-23. The top three industries – Construction (27%), Accommodation and Food Services (15%) and Other Services (9.3%) represented over half of total external administrations for…