National fashion chain Jeanswest has been placed into voluntary administration, blaming high rents as it becomes the fourth victim of Australia's languishing retail market since the start of the year.

KPMG’s Peter Gothard and James Stewart were appointed administrators of the chain on Wednesday afternoon, saying the company was seeking to urgently restructure its 146 stores across the country.

Fashion retailer Jeanswest has entered voluntary administration, with almost 1000 jobs at risk. Credit:Anita Jones

Speaking to The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, Mr Stewart said the business had been placed into administration after a long period of disappointing trading and unsustainable rents.

"Considering the rental level with landlords, management considered that they were in a circumstance whereby the business couldn't continue in its current structure," he said.