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.

Job Security Risk Checker

Score your redundancy and employer-insolvency risk from live warning signs, with current Australian insolvency and FEG data, and get a protection plan.

Last verified: 2 August 2026

Employer warning signs (tick everything you've seen)

Super has been paid late or is missing

Check your fund's transaction history — the strongest single distress signal.

Wages were paid late in the last 3 months

Redundancies announced or made recently

Suppliers chasing payment or demanding cash up front

Restructure, merger or sale announced

A major client or contract was lost

Hiring freeze — departures not being replaced

Director or CFO departures in the last 6 months

Your situation

I'm casual or on a fixed-term contract

I've been here less than 12 months

My employer has fewer than 15 employees

Small businesses are exempt from redundancy pay under the NES.

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Job Security Risk Checker

Employer warning signs (tick everything you've seen)

Your situation

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