What are the warning signs an employer is in financial trouble?

The strongest signals are statutory payments slipping: super paid late or not at all, then wages paid late. Other recognised signs include suppliers demanding cash up front, sudden director or CFO departures, hiring freezes, lost major contracts, and announced restructures. ASIC's insolvent-trading guidance lists failure to remit statutory payments among the key indicators of insolvency.

What does FEG cover if my employer goes under?

The Fair Entitlements Guarantee covers unpaid wages (up to 13 weeks), annual leave, long service leave, payment in lieu of notice, and redundancy pay when an employer enters liquidation or bankruptcy. It does NOT cover unpaid superannuation — report unpaid super to the ATO as early as possible instead.

How many Australian companies are going insolvent right now?

ASIC's insolvency series shows around 1,300 companies entering external administration per month in mid-2026, running about 13% above the trailing 12-month average. FEG safety-net claims are up 13.8% year-on-year at roughly 4,000 per quarter.

Do casuals get redundancy pay?

No — casual employees are not entitled to redundancy pay under the National Employment Standards, and neither are employees of small businesses with fewer than 15 staff. That's why being casual or in a small business raises your exposure score even when the employer is healthy.

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Last verified: 2 August 2026Jump to calculator ↓

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