Clerks and sales assistants top the insolvent debtor lists

Clerical and administrative workers, sales assistants, road and rail drivers and labourers are occupational categories that show up more often than any others in insolvency data.

According to the Australian Financial Security Authority, "other" clerical and administrative workers, who make up two per cent of the workforce, accounted for six per cent of insolvent debtors in the 2013/14 financial year.

The category includes conveyancers and law clerks, court staff, debt collectors, human resources clerks, inspectors and regulatory officers, insurance company staff and library assistants.

The biggest increase in the number of insolvent debtors since 2010/11 occurred in this category. Excessive use of credit was the most common cause of their insolvency.

AFSA looked at more than 50 occupational categories in its analysis.

Sales assistants and salespersons, who make up six per cent of the workforce, also accounted for six per cent of insolvent debtors in 2013/14.

Road and rail drivers, who make up three per cent of the workforce, accounted for five per cent of insolvent debtors. And labourers, who make up two per cent of the workforce, accounted for four per cent of insolvent debtors.

Unemployment or loss of income was the most common cause of insolvency among sales assistants, road and rail drivers and labourers.