How Trade-On Voluntary Administrations Work
(With 
by Your Side)
When keeping your business alive is still in your best interests, we help you take control and trade through distress.
Is your Business in Distress?
A Trade-on Voluntary Administration may help.
A Trade-On Voluntary Administration (VA) allows a financially distressed business to continue operating under the control of a Registered Administrator, while working toward a restructure that protects its future. Instead of shutting the doors, this process gives the business breathing room - pausing creditor actions, retaining key relationships, and offering a clear path to recovery.
At Thryvv.io, we act for the director and step in before the Administrator is appointed. Our role is to build the recovery plan, manage the risks, and ensure the director stays actively involved in securing the best possible outcome. The goal is to keep the business alive, restructure the debt, and return control to the director through a deal that works for everyone - especially the director.
When to Use a Trade-on Voluntary Administration
A Trade-On VA is best suited for businesses that are under pressure but still fundamentally viable. It's a path worth considering if:
We believe the business can be saved with the right plan, but require time or the use of restructuring tools only available to an Administrator.
We need time to deal with creditor pressure or legal threats, while preserving key contacts, agreements and trading history.
Creditors or other stakeholders hold significant amount of power over the corporate structure, for which an administrator is needed to navigate or provide confidence in a controlled outcome.
Options such as a Small Business Restructure are not available, and we want to avoid the reputational and financial fallout of more extreme forms of insolvency, such as liquidation.
In a Trade-on VA, Your Team Matters...
The Role of the Administrator
The Administrator does not work for the Director
Any Administrator taking a VA appointment on a “Trade-On” basis is assuming the personal risk by doing so and will therefore require a reasonable degree of confidence that the business can remain viable throughout the process.
The Administrator cannot act for both the Director and the business, as they may have to make decisions or take actions that are contrary to the best interests of the director.
This is why the choice of Administrator is extremely important, as the business needs to appoint one that will be sympathetic to the going concern of the business, have a reasonable risk tolerance and work with the director with a view to hand the business back once the VA is complete.
At Thryvv.io, we are Business Turnaround Specialists that work for you.
Our role in the Voluntary Administration process is to act as your Business Turnaround expert and Director’s Advocate, project managing the entire process on the Director's behalf, allowing them to focus on day to day management of the business.
We help you build a clear action plan and hold everyone accountable, whether that’s senior executives, managers, or frontline staff. Think of us as a trusted partner sitting at the table with you, bringing calm, clarity and commercial discipline.
01 Control the Process
Establish a recovery board to identify the problems, control the process and oversee progress.
03 Understand the Numbers
Introducing financial discipline, including rolling cash flow forecasts, margin reviews and cost controls
05 Proactively Engage
Rebuilding confidence with stakeholders, including staff, customers, creditors, and investors.
02 Bring in the Right People
Use our extensive professional networks to bringing in specialist support when and where needed.
04 Manage Director Risks
Ensuring director risks and governance obligations are actively managed, using tools like DirectorShield.
06 Advocate for the Director
We act as the intermediary between the Director and the practitioner, advocating for their interests throughout.
Our Trade-on Voluntary Administration Process
Stage 1
Pre-Appointment
Recovery Roadmap
In our first meeting, we get an understanding of the business and the issues that exist. We then use that information to develop a strategy and recovery project plan.
Understand the Numbers
Using a comprehensive financial modelling process, we run various scenarios to determine the underlying viability of the business and map out the best path forward.
Manage the Risks
We look to manage or mitigate any risks to both the director and the business. Some risks need to be managed by the Administrator, others the Director can control.
The Result:
Underlying confidence in the viability of the business, with a financial and risk mitigation project plan to emerge from the distress.
Stage 2
Appointing the Practitioner
Administrator takes Control
The Administrator takes legal control over the business, effectively stepping as the Director, meaning that they assume control of the financial and legal aspects.
Coordinated Handover
Armed with the information and plans Thryvv.io drafted in Stage 1 of the process, we provide the Administrator with the confidence they need to assume the risk.
Special Legal Powers
The Administrator has wide-ranging powers under the Corporations Act, including the ability to terminate contracts, and suspend legal actions.
The Result:
Business continues trading under the Administrator's control and is protected from certain creditor actions.
Stage 3
Restructuring
Business Restructuring
The Administrator can implement certain business restructuring actions without incurring the same liabilities that Director's would - for example - terminating employees.
Debt Restructuring
The Administrator can leverage their positions in ways that allow them to handle complex creditor conversations in ways not available to the Directors.
Exit Strategy
Once the VA process is successfully complete, the business can be handed back to the director, either through a Deed of Company Arrangement or Business Sale.
The Result:
Viable restructured business ready for director to regain control.
Stage 4
Implement DirectorShield
Compliance Support
We track key obligations (like licences, registrations, and reporting deadlines) and flag risks early, helping directors avoid slipping back into non-compliance.
DOCA and Agreement Support
We ensure directors meet the ongoing terms of any DOCA or negotiated settlement, including payment schedules and reporting commitments.
Governance and Recordkeeping
DirectorShield keeps critical documents in one place, supporting good governance and protecting directors from potential future exposure.
The Result:
Sustainable business with director back in control and protected
Real People, Real Results
(Google reviews)
"I recently had to refer a contact of mine to Cameron. Cameron and his team showed absolute professionalism and empathy as my contact had to navigate a horrible situation. The great news is that Cameron brought hope and truth to the situation and with a excellent outcome. With his "can do" attitude Cameron will become part of my team of experts that I have surrounded myself with. I cannot recommend him high enough- Thank you"
Think You Might Need a Trade-On VA?
Book a Strategy Call with us
Book a free strategy call with us today and take the first step toward getting back in control. We’ll help you understand your position, weigh your options, and build a clear path forward — without judgement, pressure, or jargon.