Director Penalty Notices · independent guidance since 1988
Got a Director Penalty Notice? The clock matters more than the panic.
Independent guidance on lockdown and non-lockdown DPNs — what the notice means and the lawful options in front of you.
- Not a liquidator
- Not a trustee
- Paid by you, no one else
Private and confidential.
36 yrs
hands-on experience
1,000+
cases navigated
$50M+
in assets protected
100%
confidential, always
A Director Penalty Notice makes you personally liable for the company’s unpaid PAYG, GST and super. What you can do about it depends entirely on the type of notice and the timing. Get it wrong and the company’s debt becomes your debt. We help you understand which notice you’ve got, and the next step, before the window closes.
The two types, plainly
The difference decides what’s still possible. Read the notice carefully — or send it to us and we’ll tell you which one it is.
- Non-lockdown DPN: the company lodged on time but didn’t pay. You usually have 21 days to act, and options remain — pay, restructure, or appoint.
- Lockdown DPN: lodgements were late, so the liability is already locked onto you personally. Fewer options, but there are still moves worth making.
What the 21 days are for
On a non-lockdown notice the clock is real. Inside the window you can generally pay the debt, put the company into a formal restructuring or administration, or wind it up — and each does something different to your personal liability. After it closes, the liability hardens.
Why us first
We’re independent — not the ATO, not a liquidator. We’ll tell you what the notice actually means, what each option does to your exposure, and coordinate the right next step fast, because on a DPN, days matter.
What we’ll do
- 1 Confirm which notice you’ve got and how many days are left.
- 2 Map your personal exposure and the company’s position.
- 3 Lay out the options and what each one does to the liability.
- 4 Coordinate the right pathway inside the window.
- 5 Keep you moving — no waiting for the next letter.
Plain-English FAQ
Can I ignore it?
No. If you do nothing, the personal liability can become locked and enforceable. The notice is the warning, not the end of the road.
Does resigning as director help?
Resigning doesn’t wipe a liability you’ve already incurred, and timing matters. Talk to us before you act on that.
What if our lodgements are late?
Late lodgement is what turns a notice into a lockdown DPN. It changes your options — but not to zero. We’ll tell you what’s left.
Do you give legal advice?
No. We provide independent guidance and coordinate the right professionals — we don’t act as your lawyer or trustee.
Talk it through — no cost, no pressure.
Pick a time that suits you, by phone or video. We’ll talk through your situation and your options, privately. Since 1988.
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