The scourge of unpaid invoices threatening the survival of small and medium sized businesses is an international problem.
In May 2024, the Guardian revealed that Australian business insolvencies are increasing to decade-level highs.
And some companies turned to desperate debt collection methods to try to recover money owed to them: biker gangs.
‘Bikies,’ as they are known down under, have a long association with illegal debt collection in Australia, acting as ‘hired muscle’ using threats and extortion for debt recovery.
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The spokesperson for a building subcontractors’ alliance spoke publicly about members contemplating a return to the dark days when bikers were hired to make sure foremen on construction sites paid up on time.
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Australia’s Financial Crisis
Australia’s construction industry has seen a number of big name firms go under in recent years.
A 2017 report estimated that unpaid invoices account for a £46 billion hole in Australia’s economy, disproportionately affecting small- to medium-sized suppliers.
That has left large numbers of subcontractors, or ‘subbies,’ as they are called in Australia, unpaid and increasingly frustrated.
Queensland-based firm Cullen Group Australia was liquidated in 2016 with outstanding debts of £11.5 million. The Subcontractors’ Alliance spokesman, Les Williams, suggested construction company collapses in Queensland alone have led to losses in excess of £200 million between 2013 and 2016.
While the UK may not have the same problem of biker gangs acting as debt collection enforcers, the situation in Australia mirrors what is happening in the UK.
In 2023, Bibby Financial Services (BFS) found that UK business debt levels increased by 61%.
How to Recover Debts Internationally
International debt collection is often seen as a major barrier to working and trading overseas, with the added complexity of distance, time differences, and dealing with different legal jurisdictions.
Let’s face it, the last thing anyone wants is to have to track down a biker gang.
Fortunately, there is a safer, more effective, and very definitely more legal solution.
If you are facing unpaid invoices or outstanding debts from Australia or any other country, the best thing to do is contact an international debt collection agency based in the UK.
Safe Collections has built up a network of partnerships with accredited debt recovery professionals worldwide. Our partners in Australia offer the same kind of effective, efficient, high quality service you would expect from us and have decades of expertise working within the Australian legal system.
Contact us today to find out how to recover what you’re owed.
