Transport company in crisis—Jobs on the line after administrator appointed
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It’s a tough time for Aussie workers in the transport and logistics sector, with the recent news that XL Express—a Brisbane-based company with a 35-year legacy—has entered voluntary administration.
For many, this announcement has sent shockwaves through the industry, raising questions about job security, the future of freight in Australia, and what this means for everyday Australians who rely on these services.
What’s Happened at XL Express?
After more than three decades of moving goods across the country, XL Express has hit a major roadblock.
The company, which employs around 200 people and services both business and consumer clients nationwide, has appointed FTI Consulting as voluntary administrators.
This means that FTI’s team—Kelly Trenfield, Joanne Dunn, and Ross Blakeley—will now take the reins to urgently assess whether the company can be saved, restructured, or if it will need to wind up operations altogether.
XL Express isn’t just a small player. With a national network, advanced parcel sortation systems, and technology that allows customers to track their packages, the company has long prided itself on being a 'challenger' in the industry—aiming to disrupt the status quo and deliver smarter solutions for clients.
What Does Voluntary Administration Mean?
For those unfamiliar, voluntary administration is a process where an insolvent company hands over control to independent experts (the administrators) to try and find the best outcome for creditors, employees, and other stakeholders. It’s a last-ditch effort to save the business, or at least ensure an orderly wind-down if that’s not possible.
The administrators will now comb through XL Express’s finances, talk to creditors, and prepare a report on the company’s future.
The first meeting of creditors is set to take place before 9 July 2025, so we’ll know more about the fate of the company—and its workers—soon.
In earlier news: Major Aussie fashion brand enters voluntary administration
What About the Workers and Customers?
The most immediate concern is for the 200 or so employees whose jobs are now hanging in the balance. For many, this is more than just a job—it’s a livelihood, and the uncertainty can be incredibly stressful.
The administrators have said they’ll be making alternative arrangements for customers, including allowing them to collect goods from XL Express distribution centres if deliveries can’t be fulfilled.
If you’re a customer waiting on a delivery, it’s worth keeping an eye out for updates from the company or the administrators. And if you’re an employee, now is the time to check your entitlements and seek advice from your union or Fair Work Australia.
Related story: Popular Aussie retailer to close 160 stores—are you ready to say goodbye?
Why Did XL Express Collapse?
The exact reasons behind XL Express’s financial troubles haven’t been made public yet. However, the company’s collapse comes at a time when the entire transport and logistics sector is under pressure. Rising fuel costs, supply chain disruptions, increased competition, and the lingering effects of the pandemic have all taken their toll.
It’s also worth noting that XL Express isn’t alone. According to recent data from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), nearly 7,000 businesses in New South Wales alone collapsed between July 2024 and May 2025—a 26% jump from the previous year. Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia have all seen hundreds or thousands of businesses go under in the same period.
More than 5,100 businesses collapsed in Victoria, while 3,264 went under in Queensland, 1,217 failed in Western Australia and 815 suffered in South Australia.
A Look Back: XL Express and the Brisbane Lions
Some readers might remember XL Express from their high-profile partnership with the Brisbane Lions AFL team between 2020 and 2022. The company’s logo was proudly displayed on the team’s jerseys, and the Lions’ branding appeared on XL Express trucks.
At the time, Managing Director Colin Mallory spoke of the shared journey between the two Queensland-based organisations, both competing on the national stage. Sadly, that partnership is now a reminder of better days for the company.
Read next: Toys ‘R’ Us has been a family favourite for years—is that about to come to an end...again?
Have you or someone you know been affected by the XL Express collapse? Are you worried about job security in your industry? Or do you have tips for others facing redundancy or business closures? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
For many, this announcement has sent shockwaves through the industry, raising questions about job security, the future of freight in Australia, and what this means for everyday Australians who rely on these services.
What’s Happened at XL Express?
After more than three decades of moving goods across the country, XL Express has hit a major roadblock.
The company, which employs around 200 people and services both business and consumer clients nationwide, has appointed FTI Consulting as voluntary administrators.
This means that FTI’s team—Kelly Trenfield, Joanne Dunn, and Ross Blakeley—will now take the reins to urgently assess whether the company can be saved, restructured, or if it will need to wind up operations altogether.
XL Express isn’t just a small player. With a national network, advanced parcel sortation systems, and technology that allows customers to track their packages, the company has long prided itself on being a 'challenger' in the industry—aiming to disrupt the status quo and deliver smarter solutions for clients.
About 200 jobs are at risk after Brisbane-based transport and logistics company XL Express entered voluntary administration, appointing FTI Consulting to assess the business’s viability. Image source: XL Express / Youtube.
What Does Voluntary Administration Mean?
For those unfamiliar, voluntary administration is a process where an insolvent company hands over control to independent experts (the administrators) to try and find the best outcome for creditors, employees, and other stakeholders. It’s a last-ditch effort to save the business, or at least ensure an orderly wind-down if that’s not possible.
The administrators will now comb through XL Express’s finances, talk to creditors, and prepare a report on the company’s future.
The first meeting of creditors is set to take place before 9 July 2025, so we’ll know more about the fate of the company—and its workers—soon.
In earlier news: Major Aussie fashion brand enters voluntary administration
What About the Workers and Customers?
The most immediate concern is for the 200 or so employees whose jobs are now hanging in the balance. For many, this is more than just a job—it’s a livelihood, and the uncertainty can be incredibly stressful.
The administrators have said they’ll be making alternative arrangements for customers, including allowing them to collect goods from XL Express distribution centres if deliveries can’t be fulfilled.
If you’re a customer waiting on a delivery, it’s worth keeping an eye out for updates from the company or the administrators. And if you’re an employee, now is the time to check your entitlements and seek advice from your union or Fair Work Australia.
Related story: Popular Aussie retailer to close 160 stores—are you ready to say goodbye?
Why Did XL Express Collapse?
The exact reasons behind XL Express’s financial troubles haven’t been made public yet. However, the company’s collapse comes at a time when the entire transport and logistics sector is under pressure. Rising fuel costs, supply chain disruptions, increased competition, and the lingering effects of the pandemic have all taken their toll.
It’s also worth noting that XL Express isn’t alone. According to recent data from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), nearly 7,000 businesses in New South Wales alone collapsed between July 2024 and May 2025—a 26% jump from the previous year. Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia have all seen hundreds or thousands of businesses go under in the same period.
More than 5,100 businesses collapsed in Victoria, while 3,264 went under in Queensland, 1,217 failed in Western Australia and 815 suffered in South Australia.
A Look Back: XL Express and the Brisbane Lions
Some readers might remember XL Express from their high-profile partnership with the Brisbane Lions AFL team between 2020 and 2022. The company’s logo was proudly displayed on the team’s jerseys, and the Lions’ branding appeared on XL Express trucks.
At the time, Managing Director Colin Mallory spoke of the shared journey between the two Queensland-based organisations, both competing on the national stage. Sadly, that partnership is now a reminder of better days for the company.
Read next: Toys ‘R’ Us has been a family favourite for years—is that about to come to an end...again?
Have you or someone you know been affected by the XL Express collapse? Are you worried about job security in your industry? Or do you have tips for others facing redundancy or business closures? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
