Hundreds of former employees of the Bathla Group are reeling from a deepening financial crisis as they struggle to recover millions of dollars in unpaid wages following the property giant’s collapse.
More than two months after the Sydney-based developer entered voluntary administration—with reported debts of at least $3.4 billion—approximately 200 former staff have joined forces to demand answers. Among them is stormwater engineer Jagdeep Singh, who estimates he is owed $80,000.
“We are not asking the administrators to pay from its own funds,” Mr. Singh said. “What we are asking is for them to give us clear, transparent answers in a timely manner; we need full details of our entitlements.”
In a September affidavit, administrators from Teneo placed employee-related creditor claims at approximately $6 million, covering outstanding wages, superannuation, and leave. However, for many, the administrative breakdown has been compounded by missing pay slips and irregular payments that plagued the company in the months leading up to its August collapse.
Teneo has acknowledged a “significant delay” in processing these claims, blaming an “outdated” payroll system and the burden of reconciling hard-copy employment contracts. While the administrators have stated they are prioritizing worker entitlements, they have warned that Bathla currently lacks the liquidity to pay out staff for at least six to 12 months.
The fallout has been particularly devastating for migrant workers. Several employees, including a drafter and a graduate architect, are on temporary 482 visas. With their employment terminated, these workers now face the risk of being unable to remain in Australia. Because temporary visa holders are ineligible for the federal government’s Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG) scheme, their ability to recoup their losses remains tethered entirely to the uncertain outcome of the insolvency proceedings.
“Everything that I built, my career, my experience, my knowledge is here,” said one former architect, who requested anonymity. “It’s been a hard time, and we are near the end of the year, so there aren’t many openings.”
While Teneo is working with the federal government to secure early access to the FEG—hoping for approval by December—the legal timeline remains daunting. The NSW Supreme Court has extended the deadline for the second creditors’ meeting until September 2027, leaving many staff trapped in a cycle of financial instability.
Insolvency expert Professor Jason Harris of the University of Sydney noted that while employees have legal priority over unsecured creditors, their success is contingent on the availability of funds. For workers like Mr. Singh, the wait is becoming untenable.
“We cannot sit and just wait for one year, and then afterwards hear that we are not getting anything,” Mr. Singh said. As the holiday season approaches, the group says their focus has shifted from festive plans to a desperate, ongoing battle for their basic financial survival.
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