Bankruptcy Application Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of a bankruptcy application. Complexity and how the firm charges (fixed fee vs hourly) are the main drivers. These are indicative estimates only, always confirm fees with the firm before engaging.
Your bankruptcy application details
Your estimate sits within the typical range.
Lodging a voluntary bankruptcy (debtor's petition) with AFSA is free, so a simple case costs nothing to file. Pay for advice where there are assets, a business or alternatives to bankruptcy worth weighing, that is where a lawyer adds value.
💰 Ways to save
- Ask for a written costs agreement and an estimate up front, you are entitled to one, and it prevents bill shock.
- Ask whether a fixed fee is available for your matter, it caps your exposure where the firm offers it.
- Do the groundwork yourself, gather documents and a clear timeline, so you are not paying lawyer rates for admin.
How we estimate this
A bankruptcy application in Australia is free to lodge voluntarily with AFSA, so a straightforward debtor's petition costs nothing to file. Legal advice, worth getting where there are assets or alternatives, typically runs $1,000 to $5,000.
Pricing reviewed: November 2026.
Understanding bankruptcy application costs in Australia
A bankruptcy application in Australia is free to lodge voluntarily with AFSA, so a straightforward debtor's petition costs nothing to file. Legal advice, worth getting where there are assets or alternatives, typically runs $1,000 to $5,000.
Voluntarily declaring bankruptcy via a debtor's petition to AFSA is free. Costs arise only for legal advice, which is valuable where there are assets, a business, creditor disputes, or alternatives like a debt agreement to consider.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to declare bankruptcy in Australia?
Lodging a voluntary bankruptcy (debtor's petition) with AFSA is free. Legal advice, worth getting where there are assets or alternatives, typically costs $1,000 to $5,000.
Do I need a lawyer to declare bankruptcy?
Not for a straightforward voluntary bankruptcy, which you lodge free with AFSA. Advice is worth paying for where there are assets, a business, creditor disputes, or alternatives like a debt agreement to weigh up first.
Are you a law firm?
Everyone on this page is working out what bankruptcy application costs because they are ready to hire. Put your business right beneath the calculator, in your state, so you are who they find. From $50/mo.