ASIC have recently published the April 2015 quarterly insolvency statistics, based on data collected in February.

The statistics show that following a quiet month in January, where 654 appointments were made nationwide, appointments have increased with 912 made in February. Nonetheless, 2015 has seen the lowest number of appointments in February since 2005.

New South Wales saw the highest number of appointments with 302, representing roughly a third of all appointments.

The statistics evidence the downturn experienced in the mining and construction industries. A significant number of appointments were made in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria in construction which together accounted for 99 of the 111 appointments made in the industry. In particular, Queensland experienced a sharp jump in appointments in mining and construction. Half of external administrations in the mining industry were in Queensland.

While appointments increased overall from the December 2014 quarter, the number of voluntary administrations remained flat, increasing by just one percent. This reflects a general downward trend, evident from mid-2006, in voluntary administration appointments.