David Jones Jobs at Risk: Which Store Workers Could Be Hit First by the Administration? 

Over 6,000 employees of Australia’s largest upmarket department store are now facing the prospect of being made redundant, as David Jones jobs become uncertain. Staff were told on 5 November 2026 the retailer had entered voluntary administration after 188 years of trading. Workers now face tough choices as they have not paid rent since September and talks with the biggest landlord have stopped.

Quick Facts

• Staff affected: Over 6,000 employees in 38 stores
• Event: In the past, the brand has never gone into voluntary administration, even though it was announced on 5 November 2026.
• Administrators: McGrathNicol, looking for a buyer or new capital
• Receivers: FTI Consulting, operating day-to-day operations.
• Action: Advises the tenants to leave the property.Reaction: The tenants refuse to vacate the property.
• Exposed: Outer suburban and regional mall stores – most.
• The next step: A meeting of creditors will be held next week.

Why the David Jones Administration Happened

The business had been years behind on rent due to back-to-back losses and lagging stores. Talks with the landlord, Westfield, came to a halt when the landlord indicated that the offer from them to owner Anchorage Capital Partners was rejected. The board then appointed administrators, and the primary lender scrambled to appoint receivers.

Which Store Workers Could Be Hit First 

The analysts think that the closures are likely to affect stores that have their premises in the outer suburbs or in regional areas, with high-end stores at CBDs expected to be spared. This implies that, at first, David Jones jobs at risk are found mainly among:

• Salespeople in smaller, less profitable retail stores, such as those in malls
• Working in customer service roles which are tied to now-and-then locations that could close.
• If the network shrinks, then store management will be kept.
• Restaurants, if a smaller store count means less stock to move.

Receivers say they will try to keep the core network open, so a closure list is not yet confirmed.

What Workers Can Do Right Now

No one should think they are in an invulnerable or doomed store. For those who are at risk of losing their David Jones job, here are some steps you can take:

1. Request written clarification on whether you are a full-time or part-time employee, and the pay dates.
2. Discuss entitlements such as accrued leave, redundancy payments, etc., with administrators.
3. Contact your union. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association is now trying to retain as many positions as possible.
4. Keep records of rosters, payslips and contracts.
5. Update your CV and begin to scout opportunities in local retail.

Could a Smaller David Jones Survive? 

The union’s national secretary, Gerard Dwyer, has stated that it is better to have a smaller business than none at all, suggesting that the union will create a new, leaner network from scratch. Anchorage Capital may be interested in reoffering, and Solomon Lew, chairman of Myer, might be interested as well. The number of stores open after the transaction will be up to the discretion of the buyer, and the number of David Jones jobs at risk will be contingent on that.

Final Word

At this point, the best bet is the conservative approach: whether certain stores survive, and who the next buyer is, will be the deciding factor in David Jones jobs at risk. Where staff are in the outer suburbs and regional areas, they need to be ready for the worst-case scenario, and they hope for a rescue deal.

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