Small Business Restructuring
Relieve Your ATO Debt. Keep Your Business Moving.
If your business is profitable but weighed down by tax debt, a Small Business Restructure (SBR) can help you cut your debt, protect your assets, and stay in control, without shutting down.
Take the first step toward a clean slate.
SBR Introduction
What is an SBR?
A Small Business Restructure is a government-approved process that allows financially viable companies with debts under $1 million to reorganise and reduce what they owe.
It can:
- Reduce ATO & other debt
- Replace lump-sum demands with a manageable payment plan
- Halt ATO enforcement action immediately
- Keep you in full control of your business
Why SBR
Benefits of Small Business Restructuring
Recovery-focused and agile. Here’s why SBR is the preferred option for small businesses in financial distress.
Avoid Legal Action
Restructuring allows you to address outstanding debts before creditors escalate them in court.
Retain Control
Small business restructuring lets directors maintain control of daily operations while implementing a recovery plan.
Cost-Effective Alternative
Restructuring offers a more affordable pathway to financial recovery compared to formal administration.
Keep The Business Running
Directors can continue trading while working through financial challenges and negotiating with creditors.
Prioritise Recovery Over Insolvency
With a tailored restructuring plan, SBR focuses on stabilising the business instead of winding it down.
Efficiently Address DPNs and Debts
Avoid additional penalties by resolving Director Penalty Notices (DPNs) and other outstanding debts quickly.
Why SBR
A Lifeline for Small Businesses
Safeguard operations
Keep serving your customers and paying your staff.
Negotiate fair repayment terms
Replace unmanageable demands with a plan that works.
Protect personal assets
Limit your personal exposure to company debt.
End the stress
Stop the calls, letters, and looming threats from the ATO.
Eligibility criteria
Is My Business Eligible?
- Be an Australian registered company (Pty Ltd)
- Owes less than $1M to creditors
- No previous SBR/simplified liquidation in past 7 years
SBR Process
Our Small Business Restructuring Process
We make the SBR journey simple, structured, and stress-free — so you can focus on running your business while we handle the details.
Eligibility Application
Speak with our Small Business Specialists to learn about SBR and find out if you’re eligible for the program.
Restructuring Practitioner
Once eligible. We will request a balance sheet, and match you with a Restructuring Practitioner.
Prepare Plan
Our SBR Practitioner works with you, your accountant and your business to build the right plan.
Plan Approval
Once agreed, the Practitioner submits your plan to creditors for approval.
Plan Execution
The plan is carried out, debts are paid, and you continue to run your business.
Pricing
What Does an SBR Cost?
Our Small Business Restructuring process is relatively cost-effective compared to a voluntary administration of liquidation process.
- Step-by-step process keeps your business protected
- Only move forward when your plan is viable
- Most clients see a significant return on their investment
$10,000 to $15,000 (plus GST)
Payable to engage an Olvera First Practitioner to create your SBR Plan.
Our track record
Our Case Studies
Olvera First has helped small businesses across Australia manage their debt successfully. Here are some examples of our track record.
$220k Total Debt
Debt owed by the business before the SBR process.
$42k After SBR
Debt owed by the business after the SBR process.
86% Debt Relief
Total percentage of debt reduced using SBR.
$202k Total Debt
Debt owed by the business before the SBR process.
$24k After SBR
Debt owed by the business after the SBR process.
87% Debt Relief
Total percentage of debt reduced using SBR.
$467k Total Debt
Debt owed by the business before the SBR process.
$74k After SBR
Debt owed by the business after the SBR process.
84% Debt Relief
Total percentage of debt reduced using SBR.
$308k Total Debt
Debt owed by the business before the SBR process.
$32k After SBR
Debt owed by the business after the SBR process.
89% Debt Relief
Total percentage of debt reduced using SBR.
Our track record
Olvera First Case Studies
$220k Total Debt
Debt owed by the business before the SBR process.
$42k After SBR
Debt owed by the business after the SBR process.
86% Debt Relief
Total percentage of debt reduced using SBR.
$202k Total Debt
Debt owed by the business before the SBR process.
$24k After SBR
Debt owed by the business after the SBR process.
87% Debt Relief
Total percentage of debt reduced using SBR.
$467k Total Debt
Debt owed by the business before the SBR process.
$74k After SBR
Debt owed by the business after the SBR process.
84% Debt Relief
Total percentage of debt reduced using SBR.
$308k Total Debt
Debt owed by the business before the SBR process.
$32k After SBR
Debt owed by the business after the SBR process.
89% Debt Relief
Total percentage of debt reduced using SBR.
Olvera Guides
Small Business Restructuring Guide
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about Small Business Restructuring.
What does a 'small business' mean in Australia?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) defines a small business as a business employing fewer than 20 people. Categories of small businesses include:
- Micro-businesses – businesses employing between 1 to 4 people (also includes non-employing businesses).
- Other small businesses – businesses employing between 5 to 19 people
How do I know if my company is facing personal insolvency?
A company is insolvent once it is not able to pay all the company’s debts when they become payable.
Warning signs that a company is insolvent include
- accruing losses
- cashflow difficulties
- overdue taxes and lodgments
- legal issues
- difficulty gaining access to new credit
How do I know if my business is eligible for SBR?
To be eligible for the Small Business Restructuring process, your business must:
- Be a company (not a sole trader)
- Have less than $1m in debt
To understand you eligibility, take our SBR eligibility test.
What is the role of a Small Business Restructuring practitioner?
A Small Business Restructuring Practitioner, like Olvera First, oversees the debt restructuring while the company directors remain in control of the business. The Small Business Restructuring Practitioner assists the company to:
The practitioner must also certify to supplier that they believe the company is eligible for restructuring, and that the company is likely to be able to meet its obligations under the plan. They must take reasonable steps to verify this. Once a plan is made, the small business restructuring practitioner manages the disbursement of payments to the company’s creditors based on the terms set out in the plan.
What debts can be restructured with SBR?
All unsecured debts (debt that does not have any collateral attached) which were incurred prior to the company entering restructuring may be included in the small business restructuring plan.
The exception is employee entitlements (including those not yet payable, like leave or redundancy entitlements), which are not included in the plan.
Debts incurred after the company enters restructuring are not part of the plan and must be paid off outside of the plan.
What action can suppliers take during the restructuring process?
When a company enters into restructuring, a moratorium is applied on unsecured creditor claims and some secured creditor claims. This means:
How long does the restructuring process take?
The company must put a restructuring plan to its creditors within 20 business days of entering the process. The company’s Small Business Restructuring Practitioner can extend this period by up to 10 business days where an extension is reasonable in the circumstances. Once a plan is put to suppliers, they have 15 business days to vote to accept or reject the plan.
Take Control of Your Business’s Future
If your business is under financial pressure, waiting can make things worse. The sooner you act, the more options you have.
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