Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) Advisors
A structured path to protect your company, preserve value and avoid liquidation. A Deed of Company Arrangement is designed to help a company overcome financial challenges while staying operational. It allows the business to restructure and address creditor obligations under a formal plan, giving directors the chance to trade through issues such as temporary cash shortages or legal complications. For many, it is a practical way to preserve the business and protect jobs during a difficult period.
At HM Advisory, we help directors understand, prepare and implement voluntary administration and DOCA solutions with clear direction, steady support and practical outcomes.
We are here to help
Our first consultation, whether you are a business or an individual, is free of charge and without obligation. Please feel free to email us at [email protected] or use the contact form below.
What a DOCA Can Achieve for Your Business
Flexible options tailored to your circumstances
No two businesses have the same challenges. A DOCA can be customised around your cash flow, trading conditions and creditor expectations.
We design proposals that work in the real world utilising strategies that are practical, achievable and structured to give your company the best possible chance of ongoing success.
Protection when you need it most
Entering voluntary administration (before a DOCA) immediately stops most creditor actions, including statutory demands, wind-up proceedings and pressure from the ATO. For directors facing mounting stress and pressure from creditors, this protection offers desperately needed stability.
Recover, restructure and rebuild
A DOCA allows your company to keep trading while debt obligations are managed in an orderly, pre-agreed manner. This creates the opportunity to restore operations, maintain key contracts, protect jobs and preserve business value that would otherwise be lost in liquidation.
When is a DOCA the right solution?
Directors come to us when they’re dealing with situations such as:
- ATO debt, payment plans in default, or escalating interest;
- Major creditors threatening legal action;
- Cash-flow shortages making it difficult to meet weekly obligations;
- Pressure from lenders or landlords;
- Risk of personal exposure through guarantees or potential insolvent trading; and
- A viable core business model that needs restructuring, not shutting down.
In these cases, a DOCA can provide a clear pathway to avoid liquidation and stabilise the company.
How HM Advisory Helps
We guide you from the first voluntary administration meeting through to negotiation and execution of the deed of company arrangement:
Reassurance, clarity, and a single point of control
You stay informed and empowered at each stage while we handle the complexity, including creditor management, proposal drafting, compliance and strategic planning.
Reduce stress with structured creditor engagement
Managing creditors whilst experiencing financial distress can be overwhelming. We step in to communicate with creditors, negotiate terms, and build support for your DOCA proposal. This protects relationships and ensures your company has the best chance of creditor approval.
Strategic restructuring with director support
While the voluntary administrator temporarily controls the business, our approach ensures directors remain actively involved in strategy. Once the DOCA is approved and executed, control is returned to the directors, allowing you to steer the company forward with a sustainable structure.
Cost-effective and outcome-driven
We focus on solutions that preserve value and reduce the financial impact of insolvency. A well-crafted DOCA can deliver stronger returns to creditors, protect core operations, retain employees and maintain continuity with customers and suppliers.
Take Action Early
If your company is under pressure, early engagement dramatically increases the chance of a successful deed of company arrangement.
HM Advisory’s experienced administrators and restructuring specialists are ready to assess your situation confidentially and guide you toward the most effective path forward.
FAQs
Does a DOCA stop personal guarantees?
Generally, no. A Deed of Company Arrangement deals with the company’s debts but not the personal obligations of Company Director(s).
If you’ve provided a personal guarantee, the creditor can usually still pursue you personally for the balance of their debt, even if this is compromised under the DOCA. However, in some cases, creditors may choose not to enforce a guarantee if the DOCA provides them with a better return or if negotiations are made as part of the proposal.
If you’re unsure whether your guarantees will be affected, it’s important to get personalised advice from your advisors and our expert team before the DOCA is finalised.
Are directors still in control after a DOCA is put in place?
Yes — once the DOCA is approved and executed, control typically returns to the directors, unless the DOCA specifies otherwise.
During voluntary administration, the administrator takes full control of the company. But when the DOCA begins, the directors resume day-to-day management while following any conditions set out in the deed.
The administrator (now called the Deed Administrator) monitors compliance pursuant to the deed, often collecting regular DOCA contributions for the purpose of interim and final dividends to creditors.
Can the court terminate a Deed of Company Arrangement?
Yes. A court can terminate a DOCA in certain circumstances, including when:
- The DOCA is unfair or prejudicial to creditors
- The company or directors fail to comply with the deed
- It becomes clear that the DOCA will not achieve its intended purpose
- Liquidation would provide a better outcome for creditors
Applications to terminate a DOCA are usually made by creditors, the administrator or ASIC. If the DOCA is terminated, the company typically enters liquidation.
We are here to help
If a business you’re involved with may require our services, please feel free to contact us for an initial consultation – this is free of charge and without obligation.
Victoria
Level 21, 114 William Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
PO Box 117
Collins Street West VIC 8007
T (03) 8866 7600
F (03) 9428 4152
Western Australia
Suite 4, Level 3
16 Victoria Avenue Perth WA 6000
PO Box 6243
East Perth WA 6892
T (08) 9334 7400
F (03) 9428 4152
Queensland
Level 14, 15 Adelaide Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
PO Box 13127
George Street Brisbane QLD 4000
F (03) 9428 4152
New South Wales
Level 2, 263 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000
PO Box Q904
Queen Victoria Building NSW 1230
F (03) 9428 4152