Australia: a step-by-step guide for SMEs
For companies with 30 to 249 staff at their peak that are in a formal insolvency process or have closed. Six steps, in order, from authority to a signed licence.
- 1
Confirm who can sign
In liquidation or voluntary administration, the liquidator or administrator controls the company's property (Corporations Act 2001). Get the authority in writing before you speak to any buyer.
- 2
Check the company's status
ASIC registers and published notices show company status and external administrators. When a company is deregistered, its remaining property vests in ASIC (Corporations Act 2001, s.601AD).
- 3
Export the records now
List the tools the company used, then export from each one while access still works. Check the records are in English.
- 4
Take people out
The Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles may apply to personal information in the records. Employee and HR records are usually left out entirely.
- 5
Run the fit check, then apply
micro1 lists companies that are no longer operating, with 30+ peak employees and English records, in ten countries including Australia company.micro1.ai/get-started · 15 Nov 2026. Our fit check takes two minutes.
- 6
Review, take advice, sign or walk away
micro1 says it reviews and approves the data within 30 days, then pays within 30 days of invoice. Take advice on the contract; you can stop at any point before signing.
Tips for SMEs
- Act within weeks. Software subscriptions lapse after closure and exports disappear with them.
- One person usually knew every system. Get their help with exports before they move on.
- Keep it simple: one export per system, one adviser, one decision.
- Ask the former IT provider or MSP for admin access and a list of tools in use.
Common pitfalls
- When a company is deregistered, its remaining property vests in ASIC (Corporations Act 2001, s.601AD).
- Sending a sample before a contract covers handling and confidentiality.
- Leaving employee or customer personal data in the export.
General information, not legal advice. Full Australia rights guide →
See if your company fits
Built for SMEs in Australia.
Referral link. As an independent referrer we may receive a fee from micro1 if a qualifying deal completes. You pay nothing.