Starting Bankruptcy Proceedings as a Creditor

债权人如何启动破产程序

If a debtor cannot or will not pay their debts, bankruptcy can be an important tool for creditors to recover money owed. Bankruptcy allows a debtor’s property to be placed under the control of a trustee, who will sell assets and distribute proceeds among creditors. This article outlines how creditors can start the bankruptcy process in Australia.

如果债务人无法或拒绝偿还债务，破产可能是债权人追回欠款的重要手段。通过破产程序，债务人的财产将交由破产管理人接管，出售并在债权人之间分配。本文将介绍债权人在澳洲如何启动破产程序。

1. Establishing Grounds

1. 确立申请理由

Before starting proceedings, a creditor must establish that:

• The debt is at least $10,000;

• The debtor has committed an “act of bankruptcy” (e.g. failing to comply with a bankruptcy notice).

The most common ground is that the debtor has not complied with a Bankruptcy Notice served by the creditor.

在启动程序之前，债权人必须证明：

• 债务金额至少为 10,000 澳元；

• 债务人实施了“破产行为”（例如未遵守破产通知）。

最常见的理由是：债务人未能遵守债权人送达的 破产通知。

2. Bankruptcy Notice

2. 破产通知

• A Bankruptcy Notice is issued by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) at the creditor’s request.

• It requires the debtor to pay the debt (or secure/compromise it) within 21 days.

• If the debtor fails to comply, this constitutes an act of bankruptcy, allowing the creditor to apply to Court.

• 破产通知由澳大利亚金融安全局 (AFSA) 应债权人申请签发；

• 要求债务人在 21 天 内偿还、担保或协商解决债务；

• 债务人若未遵守，则构成 破产行为，债权人可据此向法院申请。

3. Sequestration Order Application

3. 申请破产令

• If the debtor does not comply with the Bankruptcy Notice, the creditor may file a Creditor’s Petition in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

• The Court may make a Sequestration Order, which formally declares the debtor bankrupt.

• Once the order is made, the debtor’s property vests in a trustee.

• 若债务人未遵守破产通知，债权人可向澳大利亚联邦巡回及家庭法院提交 债权人申请书 (Creditor’s Petition)；

• 法院可签发 破产令 (Sequestration Order)，正式宣布债务人破产；

• 一旦破产令生效，债务人的财产将归受托人管理。

4. Role of the Trustee

4. 受托人的角色

After the Sequestration Order:

• A trustee (Official Trustee or a registered trustee) is appointed;

• The trustee collects and sells divisible assets;

• Proceeds are distributed rateably among creditors.

Creditors may lodge a Proof of Debt to participate in distributions.

破产令生效后：

• 任命一名破产管理人（官方受托人或注册受托人）；

• 受托人收回并出售可分配的财产；

• 所得款项按比例分配给债权人。

债权人需提交 债务证明 (Proof of Debt) 才能参与分配。

5. Benefits and Considerations for Creditors

5. 债权人的利益与注意事项

• Bankruptcy ensures fair treatment among creditors — no single creditor can take priority outside the process.

• The trustee has powers to investigate suspicious transfers and recover assets.

• However, not all debts are recoverable (e.g. secured creditors may enforce their security outside bankruptcy).

• 破产程序确保债权人之间公平，没有任何单一债权人可以在程序之外优先受偿；

• 受托人有权调查可疑交易并追回财产；

• 但并非所有债务都能收回（例如，有担保的债权人可在破产程序之外行使担保权）。

6. Key Takeaways

6. 关键提示

For creditors, bankruptcy can be a powerful enforcement tool where debts remain unpaid. The process usually begins with a Bankruptcy Notice, followed by a Creditor’s Petition seeking a Sequestration Order. Once bankruptcy is declared, creditors may recover funds through the trustee’s administration.

对于债权人而言，破产是债务长期未偿还时的重要执行手段。程序通常从 破产通知 开始，继而提交 债权人申请书，寻求法院签发 破产令。一旦破产被宣布，债权人可通过受托人的管理追回部分资金。