Small Business Restructure Sydney

Minimising debt, maximising profitability.


About your recovery partner

Accountants Daily Finalists, Fastest Growing Firm
AFR Top 100 Accounting Firms
CA and CPA Qualified Accountants
National Team
ASIC Registered Liquidators
ARITA Professional Members

Contact our Sydney team

Our head office is in the Sydney CBD, with a second New South Wales office in Parramatta. We work with businesses right across the state, including the CBD, North Shore, the Hills District and regional NSW.

Sydney Level 12, 20 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000
02 8001 6520

Small Business Restructure across Australia

Brisbane

Level 14, 120 Edward Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000

Melbourne

Level 12, 90 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Perth

Level 2, 68 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000

What is a Small Business Restructure?

A Small Business Restructure (SBR) is a simpler way for an eligible company to deal with its debts while it keeps trading. You stay in control of the business the whole way through. No external administrator steps in to run things.

The process is managed with the guidance of a Small Business Restructuring Practitioner. They help you put together a restructuring plan and a restructuring proposal statement, which set out how much you'll repay creditors and over what period. It's a faster, lower cost alternative to Voluntary Administration, built for businesses with a viable model and less than $1 million in liabilities.

Acting early gives you the most room to move. The sooner you get advice, the more options stay open, including keeping staff on and avoiding Liquidation.

How a Small Business Restructure benefits your Sydney business

Retain control

Stay in control of the company while undergoing the restructuring process.

Reduce legal action by creditors

Creditors are unable to seek repayments if the company is in a small business restructure.

Solve your Director Penalty Notice (DPN)

Small Business Restructure offers a solution to ensuring you are not personally liable for the company's debt.

Take a breath

Providing you with the space to breathe. Work with key experts on devising a plan to get the business back on track.

Turnaround efficiently

Due to the simplified processes, Small Business Restructure creates outcomes in a shorter period than formal insolvency solutions.

Cost-effective solution

Experience reduced costs with a Small Business Restructure.

Is your company eligible for a Small Business Restructure?

Not sure if you qualify? Your company may be eligible if it ticks these boxes. Eligibility is assessed when your restructuring proposal is submitted, not when a practitioner is appointed. Tick most of these? Speak to our experts to confirm where you stand.

Your next steps

Getting help is simpler than you might think, and the Small Business Restructure process starts with one free, confidential conversation.

Assessment

We evaluate your business's financial health, identifying areas for improvement.

Strategic Planning

Our team creates a custom plan to address challenges, improve cash flow, and reduce costs.

Creditor Proposals

We negotiate with creditors to secure terms that benefit both parties, easing financial pressure.

Implementation

The approved plan is put into action, stabilising your operations and improving profitability.

Don't meet the criteria?

An SBR isn't the only path forward. Depending on your situation, we may recommend one of these options. They're different forms of external administration, and the right one depends on your numbers and your goals.

Voluntary Administration

Unsure your business can stay financially afloat? Enabling the company to move forward while distributing money to creditors. Most crucially, it gives you the breathing space and structure to continue trading in a viable way, with a plan to bring your business back to profitability.

Safe Harbour

Providing protection for directors from claims of insolvent trading, as long as they adhere to a formal restructuring plan. At Mackay Goodwin, we’ll guide you through. Working as your restructuring partner, we’ll put a strategy and plan in place for you to follow. Helping your business to strengthen, and succeed.

Creditors Voluntary Liquidation

In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL), our ASIC registered liquidators can ease the process on the role of Company Liquidator. Dealing with the formalities of convening shareholders, and facilitating a procedure in which the company is placed into Liquidation. Helping to relieve stress at every stage.


Simplified Liquidation

Learn more

If your company is insolvent and total liabilities do not exceed $1 million, you may be eligible for Simplified Liquidation. A more streamlined version of CVL, we’ll work with you to close your business the right way, with clarity and understanding.


Members' Voluntary Liquidation

Eliminate the communication hurdle involved with dissolving a company through a MVL Mackay Goodwin will conduct a review, liquidate your company and distribute any assets to the relevant parties.

How a Sydney builder cut $400,000 in ATO debt

A Sydney construction company came to us carrying close to $400,000 in debt, most of it owed to the ATO. Years of site delays, rising material costs, late paying clients and fixed price contracts had left the directors stretched thin. Through a Small Business Restructure, they cleared a path through the debt and kept the business trading. It's a familiar story for builders still carrying the weight of the COVID years.

If you're facing a similar situation, there's light at the end of the tunnel. Discover how it played out with our Sydney SBR case study.

Meet your Sydney restructuring team

When your business is facing financial difficulties, the people in your corner matter. Our Sydney team includes ASIC registered liquidators and restructuring specialists who'll guide you through every step. Get to know the experts you'll be working with.

Andrew Ngo

Andrew Ngo

DirectorSydney

Andrew Ngo is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in insolvency, restructuring, and business advisory services. As a Director at Mackay Goodwin, Andrew is committed to helping businesses navigate financial challenges with tailored solutions and strategic guidance. His expertise spans various industries, enabling him to support companies through complex restructuring processes, voluntary administrations, and liquidations.

Andrew’s focus is on providing practical, client-centric advice that drives positive outcomes for businesses in need of financial recovery. With a strong track record of assisting companies through challenging times, he is a valuable asset to Mackay Goodwin’s mission of standing with Australian businesses when it matters most.

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Ben SkinnerBen Skinner hover

Ben Skinner

General CounselSydney

With 20 years of experience in insolvency and restructuring as a private practice lawyer, Ben Skinner has made a rewarding transition to an in-house role at Mackay Goodwin. His deep expertise now supports insolvency practitioners in guiding Australian businesses through financial challenges. Ben’s in-house position allows him to make a greater impact, offering strategic advice and hands-on support to help companies navigate financial adversity and achieve stability.

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David HurstDavid Hurst hover

David Hurst

Director & ASIC Registered LiquidatorSydney

David has a wealth of experience across receiverships, voluntary administrations and liquidations, together with restructuring and turnaround engagements. Growing up in Bathurst, NSW, David's interest in agriculture and passion for motorsport translate to his hands-on approach in the insolvency industry.

Taking on a broad range of appointments, David provides a thorough analysis of the situation his clients are facing and works towards the best possible outcome for them and other stakeholders. He draws on that experience to help businesses survive where possible through achievable arrangements.

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Diana TalevskiDiana Talevski hover

Diana Talevski

DirectorSydney

Diana Talevski thrives on complex matters. A Director at Mackay Goodwin and a Registered Trustee in Bankruptcy, she brings 15 years of personal and corporate insolvency experience, much of it spent following the money.

She has traced investor funds through layers of bank records, pursued assets across Singapore, Korea and the British Virgin Islands, and led litigation that ended in a $4.5 million settlement with creditors paid in full. Diana also steered an aged care facility through voluntary administration to a deed that saved jobs and kept residents in their homes.

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Domenic CalabrettaDomenic Calabretta hover

Domenic Calabretta

Chief Executive Officer & ASIC Registered LiquidatorSydney

Affectionately known as the “Venn diagram of insolvency”, Dom has been a two-for-one specialist for over 20 years, as both an accountant and a lawyer. He's a Registered Liquidator and solicitor, and founded Mackay Goodwin in 2014 after more than a decade as a partner in a large national insolvency firm.

Dom's extensive knowledge makes him an invaluable resource for navigating complex financial and legal challenges, offering business insights clients can put to work.

A true powerhouse, having Dom on your team means tackling even the most intricate hurdles with confidence.

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Edwin NarayanEdwin Narayan hover

Edwin Narayan

Director & ASIC Registered LiquidatorSydney

Edwin is a valuable member of the senior Mackay Goodwin team, with a huge amount of expertise and experience in running a range of different Deed of Company Arrangement proposals, for Administrations across a diverse range of industry sectors, and in all states across Australia.

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Gavin KingGavin King hover

Gavin King

Director, ASIC Registered Liquidator & AFSA Registered Bankruptcy TrusteeSydney

For Gavin King, insolvency has always been about helping people when they need it most. A Director at Mackay Goodwin, ASIC Registered Liquidator and AFSA Registered Trustee in Bankruptcy, he has spent two decades guiding individuals and businesses through some of the toughest moments of their working lives.

Gavin works across corporate and personal insolvency, from liquidations and voluntary administrations to Small Business Restructures and bankruptcies. Away from his appointments, he is Vice President of his local chamber of commerce, supporting the business community he works alongside.

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Grahame WardGrahame Ward hover

Grahame Ward

Director & ASIC Registered LiquidatorSydney

Grahame Ward has been working through complex insolvency matters since 1996. A Registered Liquidator and Administrator, he specialises in corporate and personal insolvency, reorganisation, restructuring and crisis management, with experience across property, tourism, transport, hospitality and manufacturing.

As a Chartered Accountant and former Official Liquidator, Grahame is known for timely, practical advice when the stakes are high. He has also shared his knowledge with the profession as an ARITA workshop leader, and remains committed to achieving positive outcomes for every stakeholder.

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Joshua Pereira

SupervisorSydney

Joshua Pereira brings a lawyer's eye to insolvency. Trained in both law and commerce, and with three years as a paralegal behind him, he reads every matter from the legal and the financial side at once.

As a Supervisor at Mackay Goodwin, Joshua works on liquidations, voluntary administrations, receiverships and Small Business Restructures for businesses across Australia. Since joining the firm in 2022 he has moved up from Analyst to Senior Analyst and then Supervisor, bringing the same careful, thorough approach to every file.

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Katherine HinesKatherine Hines hover

Katherine Hines

Manager - Small Business RestructureSydney

For small business owners weighed down by debt, Katherine Hines is often the person who shows them there is a way through. As Manager, Small Business Restructure at Mackay Goodwin, she has guided more than 200 businesses through a Small Business Restructure, helping owners deal with what they owe and keep their doors open.

Katherine started her insolvency career in 2016 and joined Mackay Goodwin in 2021, rising from Senior Analyst to Supervisor and then Manager. She knows the process inside out and keeps it moving, so owners can get back to running their business.

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Marcus Petrovic

Director & Head of Client StrategySydney

Marcus Petrovic began his restructuring and insolvency career in 2006 and is Director and Head of Client Strategy at Mackay Goodwin. A Certified Practising Accountant (CPA), he has held senior roles across Australia and the UK.

What sets Marcus apart is his “service before self” approach and his experience outside public practice. He has held senior management roles in commercial and family-run businesses in import and export, direct sales, construction and recruitment, so he can genuinely stand in his clients' shoes.

That perspective helps Marcus build trust quickly and reach outcomes that work for all stakeholders.

Book a meeting with Marcus Petrovic below

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Mitch BallMitch Ball hover

Mitch Ball

Chief of Insolvency Operations & ASIC Registered LiquidatorMelbourne

Mitchell has 20 years’ experience in corporate insolvency and restructure. Mitchell is a Registered Liquidator having working on many types of corporate appointments. He has managed complex liquidations and voluntary administrations in numerous industries with expertise in property, finance, manufacturing, IT and building and constructions. Mitchell brings value to appointments from start to finish, from marketing and having initial contact with clients to achieving exceptional outcomes.

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Nelson Huang

ASIC Registered LiquidatorSydney

Nelson Huang has spent 20 years in insolvency, and it shows in the results. An ASIC Registered Liquidator since 2024, he has traded businesses through administration to successful Deeds of Company Arrangement, including an NDIS provider where the outcome kept services running for more than 500 participants and saved 50 jobs.

His experience runs from selling property in receiverships to recover funds for creditors, to assisting with the prosecution of fraudulent medication claims. Whatever the matter, Nelson's focus is on the best possible return for everyone affected.

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Trusted by Australian business owners

4.3 Rating

Google Business Reviews

"The team at EGR Law hold Mackay Goodwin in high regard for their professionalism and their attention to detail in all aspects of their work which enjoyably is also reflected in their annual Super Bowl event which was so well organised and a pleasure to be part of."

- W Mackay

"On my recent interaction with Mackay Goodwin, I found the experience to be very professional and well structured. I look forward to dealing with them again in the future."

- David Plant

"I had a wonderful experience working with Mackay Goodwin. They were very honest and helpful. They went out of their way to make sure that I understood everything and that I was comfortable with the decisions I was making. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a great business to work with. I was particularly impressed with Marcus Petrovic. He is a true professional and was always available to answer my questions. He took the time to explain things to me in a way that I could understand and made me feel comfortable with the process. I am very grateful for his help."

- Greg K

"Mackay Goodwin (Marcus Petrovic) provided excellent advice and went out of his way during the Christmas/New Year period to answer all my questions. Marcus is personable, highly knowledgeable and pragmatic. His advice/follow up was awesome. I highly recommend MG/Marcus to anyone looking for sound business advice."

- Craig Bagshaw

"Mackay Goodwin have helped me through a very difficult time in my life. I didn't want to come to the realisation that I had to liquidate my company but it was the best option for me to move forward. They explained everything very thoroughly so I really understood the process. And if there were any problems that arose I could get the support from them that I needed from their knowledgeable staff. I would not hesitate to recommend this company."

- Sadie

"I can't speak any more highly of Mackay Goodwin and team. Andrew N in particular has gone above and beyond in helping my company recover its debt and has left no stone unturned. Great service is hard to find these days and Andrew N has always put the extra effort in to ensure I was across everything and comfortable."

- David Nguyen

"My experience with Domenic Calabretta and the team at Mackay Goodwin was exceptional. They came out to see me the very next day, assessed my business and explained my options. During the administration they were always contactable and transparent. I hope my new business venture doesn't fail like my last one did, but if it does, I know who I will be calling."

- Anthony Berg

Small Business Restructure in Sydney – FAQs

Around 35 business days. You get about 20 business days to develop the plan and restructuring proposal statement, then creditors have 15 business days to vote. That's faster than most insolvency processes.

The process uses a fixed fee, set up front so you know the cost early. If an SBR isn't right for you, a Simplified Liquidation process is often a lower cost option. We'll give you the numbers before you commit.

Yes. Once a restructuring practitioner is appointed, a moratorium pauses most creditor enforcement while your plan is prepared. That gives you room to focus on the business instead of chasing letters.

It can help. For non-lockdown director penalty notices, appointing a restructuring practitioner early may remove a director's personal liability, as long as you act within the ATO's timeframes. We'll check where you stand before anything is lodged.

Usually not. A Small Business Restructure deals with the company's debts. Personal guarantees you've signed sit outside that, so they aren't automatically cleared. We'll explain how any personal guarantees affect your options.

Choosing our restructuring services offers several key advantages:

  • Financial Stability: Address cash flow problems and reduce debt.
  • Asset Protection: Avoid the need for drastic measures like Liquidation by taking proactive steps.
  • Improved Operations: Streamline processes and enhance efficiency for better results.
  • Creditor Negotiations: Reduce pressure from creditors with tailored repayment solutions.
  • Legal Protection: Gain relief from creditor actions during the business restructuring process.

These benefits ensure you can focus on running your business while we help you navigate the path to recovery.

Get in touch

Speak to one of our experts now for a free consultation. Enter your details below or call 02 8001 6520.