Christmas shutdown is coming and there's no cash to get through it
Count the gap before December does it for you
Start with a forecast from now to the end of February, not a feeling about December. Business.gov.au says a cash flow statement tracks money in and out, helps forecast future finances and plan ahead to cover payments. Put your opening bank balance, expected receipts and every fixed bill in the same sheet. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/finance/cash-flow/set-up-a-cash-flow-statement?utm_source=openai))
A holiday shutdown usually cuts income before it cuts costs. Customers go away, progress slows and invoices can sit longer than usual. business.gov.au notes that summer can create cash flow challenges from quiet periods and late invoicing, so remind clients now about shutdown dates, trading hours and payment cut-offs so they do not miss a due date. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/news/prepare-your-business-for-summer?utm_source=openai))
Chase debtors while everyone is still reachable
Chase every debtor before builders close for the year. Ask for a firm payment date, not a vague promise, and confirm it by email the same day. If the money is already overdue, use the call to pin down who is paying, when they are paying and by what method. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/finance/cash-flow/set-up-a-cash-flow-statement?utm_source=openai))
Use the forecast to rank the invoices that matter most. The biggest receivables are often the ones that decide whether wages, BAS or supplier bills clear before the shutdown. business.gov.au says good cash records help you spot seasonal trends and shortages early, which is exactly what this exercise is for. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/guide/guide-to-managing-cash-flow?utm_source=openai))
Source: Official guidance
Set payment dates with key clients now
Agree payment dates with key clients before the office empties out. If a client cannot pay in full, ask for a split payment or an exact instalment date and build that into your forecast. A date on paper is far better than an open-ended assurance that only keeps the gap alive. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/finance/cash-flow/set-up-a-cash-flow-statement?utm_source=openai))
The same rule applies to your own outgoings. Talk to suppliers, your landlord and any lender now about timing, because a short extension is easier to negotiate before the due date passes. If tax is part of the pressure, the ATO allows businesses to set up payment plans online or by phone. ([ato.gov.au](https://www.ato.gov.au/api/public/content/0-fe8e0a8d-144c-4063-b156-8dcb8d9d16d2?utm_source=openai))
Talk to creditors before they start chasing you
When tax debt is involved, be ready to give the ATO your bank balances, income, expenses and assets, because that is the information it asks for when considering a payment plan. If you owe $200,000 or less, the ATO says some businesses can set one up through Online services for business. ([ato.gov.au](https://www.ato.gov.au/api/public/content/0-fe8e0a8d-144c-4063-b156-8dcb8d9d16d2?utm_source=openai))
If you already have a plan and it slips, contact the ATO as soon as possible. Its guidance says a payment plan can sometimes be varied before default, and debts under active management in an agreed plan are handled differently from ignored debt. That matters when cash is tight and time is short. ([ato.gov.au](https://www.ato.gov.au/api/public/content/0-b601a4c6-6b83-461b-b6bb-49b0d2051786?utm_source=openai))
Finish the year with one clear next step
Do the forecast this week, then stress test it to the end of February. List opening cash, debtor receipts, wages, super, rent, fuel, tax and finance, then see where the shortfall begins. business.gov.au says a forecast helps you understand whether you will have enough income to cover costs and prevent shortages. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/finance/cash-flow/set-up-a-cash-flow-statement?utm_source=openai))
If the gap is still there, bring the forecast, debtor list and creditor list together and call CRP today about turnaround support. There is no promise of a quick fix, but there is value in getting the numbers in front of an independent team before mid-December turns a plan into a scramble. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/finance/cash-flow/set-up-a-cash-flow-statement?utm_source=openai))