Top 20 national ranking comes as new insolvency data reinforces the importance of businesses seeking advice early
Australian businesses continue to operate in a challenging financial environment, with corporate insolvency activity remaining at historically elevated levels despite signs that the rapid growth of recent years may be beginning to moderate. The FY26 Corporate Insolvency Index, published by Insolvency Australia using publicly available ASIC data, recorded 14,153 company appointments during FY26, approximately 4% fewer than FY25. Its broader dataset recorded 17,946 liquidator appointments nationally. Behind those headline numbers, however, the data points to continuing pressure. Court liquidations increased by approximately 11%, controller appointments by 17%, and creditors’ voluntary liquidations by 4%. At the same time, restructuring appointments declined by approximately 41% and voluntary administrations fell by approximately 7%. For business owners, directors and their advisers, the message is therefore not that the pressure has disappeared. Rather, the insolvency environment appears to be changing.
Early intervention creates more options
One of the most important observations in the report is also one of the simplest: early engagement matters. Insolvency Australia notes that the sooner financial distress is recognised and professional advice obtained, the greater the range of options generally available. For directors experiencing pressure from creditors, cash-flow constraints, tax liabilities or increasing financing costs, waiting until the situation becomes critical can significantly narrow the pathways available. Early advice can provide an opportunity to understand the position, assess restructuring or turnaround options and determine the most appropriate way forward before circumstances dictate the outcome.
DVT Mcleods recognised among Australia’s Top 20
Against this backdrop, DVT Mcleods has been recognised among Australia’s Top 20 insolvency firms by appointment volume in the FY26 Corporate Insolvency Index, placing the firm alongside some of Australia’s established national and specialist restructuring and insolvency practices. The firm also achieved a strong result in Queensland, ranking 7th by appointment volume, with 128 appointments across four appointees. The recognition reflects the experience of the DVT Mcleods team and the trust placed in the firm by businesses, directors, creditors and professional advisers navigating complex financial situations. But the significance of the report extends beyond rankings. It provides an important reminder that thousands of Australian businesses continue to experience financial pressure and that recognising the warning signs early can make a meaningful difference to what happens next.
The objective should not simply be to manage distress once the options have narrowed. It should be to create the opportunity for a better path forward while choices still exist.
