Bankruptcy is being considered and overseas work is already booked

The diary includes an overseas job

Suppose a consultant with unmanageable personal debts has accepted an overseas assignment for later in the year. Flights have been booked and the expected fee is part of the household budget. Bankruptcy is being considered. Tell the financial counsellor and legal adviser about the travel early, rather than treating it as a separate administrative matter to address after the decision.

Understand the permission issue

AFSA states that a bankrupt person must obtain the trustee's written consent to travel overseas. A booking or work purpose does not itself establish permission. Ask the relevant adviser how this could affect your circumstances and the timing of decisions. Do not assume approval will be granted, or that an employer's need for you to travel resolves the requirement.

Source: AFSA: Consequences of bankruptcy

Describe the actual commitment

Prepare the destination, dates, purpose, contract, expected income and costs. Identify cancellation or rescheduling conditions and any dependence on visas or other approvals. In the hypothetical example, the assignment fee may be attractive but partly consumed by travel and accommodation. Provide the real agreement instead of describing the trip as essential without the supporting details.

Keep income assumptions conditional

Explain how the household forecast changes if the assignment is delayed or cannot proceed as planned. Ask the counsellor to consider that uncertainty when discussing options. Do not commit expected travel income to a creditor proposal without understanding the remaining conditions. A planned assignment is different from income already earned and available to meet obligations.

Ask about the appropriate process

If bankruptcy occurs, obtain current instructions from the trustee about any travel request and required information. Keep the written outcome and follow the relevant conditions. Avoid making additional non-refundable commitments while assuming an approval that has not been given. Legal advice may also be needed about the work contract and what to tell the customer or employer.

Coordinate the decision before the departure date

Give the issue an owner and record the next advice or confirmation needed. CRP can help organise business information where the assignment connects with company difficulties, alongside appropriate personal advice. The aim is to have the travel dependency visible while assessing options, rather than discovering it when the passport, contract and cash forecast are already tied to an imminent departure.