When you’re under pressure, making the first call can feel like stepping into the unknown. People often worry they’ll be judged, rushed, or pushed into a one‑size‑fits‑all solution.
This Q&A explains what that first conversation with Worrells is really like, what we’ll ask, and why our focus is on helping you understand your options so you can choose the path that fits your circumstances.
Q. What should I expect on the first call to Worrells?
A: When you call Worrells, you’ll speak with experienced practitioners not a sales team. Typically, the call is taken by a Principal or Senior Manager (often 15+ years' experience), and in many matters that person will remain your key contact if you proceed.
The first calls and meetings are obligation‑free and focused on understanding your situation and explaining options and consequences clearly, so you can decide what fits your circumstances.
We will tell you if there are deadlines you can’t ignore. But where there is time, our approach is to work with you carefully, without pressure or judgment, so you leave feeling informed, in control, and clear on next steps.
We will walk you through what all of the available options would look like, including doing nothing.
Q. What will you ask me in the first conversation?
A: The first part of the call is usually information gathering, because we’re trying to understand the full picture. Depending on whether you’re calling about a business or personal circumstances, we’ll generally explore things like:
Firstly, what your end goal is. Do you want to keep the business running or do you want to hand over control and get out, or is there some other goal in mind?
What the business does and what structure it operates under (company, trust, sole trader, corporate trustee, etc.), or for individuals, what led to the current position.
What the immediate pressure point is, such as unpaid ATO debt, a Director Penalty Notice (DPN), a major customer collapse, a large debtor issue, or a project that has gone bad. This helps set a timeline for the action that needs to be taken.
The business’s current assets and liabilities (in broad terms at first).
Secured creditors, who holds security over assets and whether any personal guarantees are involved.
This helps us understand what options are genuinely available and which ones are likely to cause unintended consequences. We don’t want to waste your time explaining the nuances of a certain pathway if that is not an option that can be used.
Q. “My mate did an SBR and wiped out something like 80% of his debt, can I do the same?” Why isn’t there a one‑size‑fits‑all solution?
A: Maybe. We get this a lot, and it’s completely understandable, but what worked for someone else (at a particular point in time) may not be appropriate for you even if things look similar on the surface. The outcome depends on the details, and creditor attitudes and decision‑making can shift over time.
A common example is Small Business Restructuring (SBR). You may have seen it presented as a quick way to compromise debts dramatically. In practice, there are nuances that affect whether it can achieve the outcome you want. If it isn’t suited to your circumstances, pursuing it can lead to disappointment and wasted money and effort without delivering the promised benefit.
That’s why we build strategy around your individual circumstances. We don’t rely solely on a description in the first phone call; we look for details that may materially change the advice. For example, we often ask whether there are director loan accounts (i.e., whether a director owes money to the company). Many directors don’t realise these exist or how they’re recorded, so we may suggest obtaining the accounting file before finalising advice.
Q. Will you talk me through all options including waiting/doing nothing and how does that help me decide?
A: Yes, because you deserve to make a decision with your eyes open. We’ll explain the different pathways (formal and informal), what they typically look like in practice, and what it may mean if you take no immediate action.
Sometimes we advise you can take a few practical steps to stabilise things without needing a formal appointment. Other times, even if an appointment isn’t strictly “needed” immediately, some people decide they no longer have the appetite to keep investing time, money and energy, while others still have the drive (and viable options) to continue. We’ll provide a recommendation, but the goal is that you feel informed, in control, and clear on the trade‑offs so you can a decision on your own that is right for you.
Q. What are the typical outcomes after a first call?
A: While every situation is different, the first call usually leads to one of these outcomes:
A formal appointment is the right fit: we outline the pathway, likely timeline, and what information we need next.
The best outcome doesn’t involve appointing us: we explain risks and if appropriate refer you to the right adviser where another approach is better.
Clarity on the real goal and next steps: we help you avoid spending time and money in the wrong place by focusing on achievable outcomes. Sometimes people have a proposed pathway in mind but after speaking with them and finding out what their end goal is, we discover together that pathway might not be the best option.
Q. Why do people seek a second view, and what’s the risk with unregulated advice in this space?
A: Sometimes people come to us after speaking with an unregulated adviser because what they were promised felt “too good to be true” or simply didn’t feel right. When a decision is significant, it’s reasonable to seek clarity and reassurance before committing to a pathway.
The risk with unlicensed or unregulated advice is that a pathway can unintentionally expose you to breaches of duties, potential offences, or consequences you didn’t anticipate and there may be less recourse if it wasn’t truly aligned with your best interests. Professional accountability matters because it helps keep advice grounded, balanced, and focused on the right outcome not just a headline promise that isn’t necessarily based on your unique individual circumstances.
Final Takeaway
You should expect to be listened to, treated fairly, and not judged. Expect clear options (including what happens if nothing changes), an explanation of any deadlines you can’t ignore, and clarity on practical next steps.
Make the first call. It’s often the hardest step, and it restores clarity.
Expect an obligation‑free conversation focused on understanding your circumstances and explaining your options.
Sometimes the best advice leads away from Worrells and that’s completely fine if it helps you reach the best outcome.