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Seek help – contact a free financial counsellor
Money problems can be overwhelming, but seeking help early provides you with options for managing your financial situation.
Speak with a financial counsellor who can help you understand your situation and prepare a path forward.
Make an appointment – and in the meantime view the below guidance.
Free financial counselling services
National Debt Helpline
The National Debt Helpline (NDH) is a free hotline to help you manage your debt problems. Their financial counsellors provide free, independent and confidential services.
- Call 1800 007 007 – 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
- Live Chat with a financial counsellor – 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
Mob Strong Debt Help
Mob Strong offers free nationwide legal advice and financial counselling service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Call 1800 808 488 – 9:30 am – 4:30 pm (AEST), Monday to Friday.
Small Business Debt Helpline
The Small Business Debt Helpline is a free service for small business owners in financial difficulty.
- Call 1800 413 828 – 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (AEST), Monday to Friday
- Live Chat with a financial counsellor - 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (AEST), Monday to Friday
Rural Financial Counselling Service Program
The Rural Financial Counselling Service Program provides free and independent financial counselling to eligible farmers, fishers, foresters and small related enterprises who are experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.
Paid options
There are paid options available to provide financial advice or counselling. You can speak to a regulated practitioner, including registered trustees or registered debt agreement administrators.
A list of practitioners is available at:
Video: Where to find help
Find a financial counsellor near you
Money help and resources
If you're in debt and struggling to make your payments, it is important to tell the creditor and explain your situation.
Negotiate payments terms
You may be able to negotiate a new arrangement based on what you can afford to repay. Read NDH's advice on how to negotiate payment terms.
Hardship arrangements
For personal loans and leases, you have certain rights to ask for a financial hardship repayment arrangement. The creditor is required to respond to your request and be reasonable about making a repayment arrangement.
Read NDH's guidance on financial hardship and your rights.
If you're having trouble paying your utility bills, contact your provider early to let them know your situation.
Remember that they're legally required to assist you. The sooner you get in touch, the sooner you can find a solution. Follow NDH's steps to get your utility bills under control.
Ask your utility provider about concessions or check your state/territory government website:
- Australian Capital Territory – Energy bills support
- New South Wales – Find an energy rebate
- Northern Territory – Concessions and payments
- Queensland – Electricity and gas rebates
- South Australia – Energy bill relief
- Tasmania – Electricity concessions
- Victoria – Concessions and benefits
- Western Australia – Available concessions.
You may be able to get a discount to help you pay rates on your house or property.
Find out what help you can get on your state/territory website:
- Australian Capital Territory – Rates assistance
- New South Wales – Pensioner council rate rebates
- Northern Territory – Council rates and garbage concessions
- Queensland – Rates subsidy
- South Australia – Cost of living concession
- Tasmania – Council rates concession
- Victoria – Municipal rates concession
- Western Australia – Pensioners or seniors rebate.
For information on dealing with debt collectors, access Australian Competition and Consumer Commission resources at:
You can access many resources through the Moneysmart website, which provides free tools, tips and financial guidance.
Helpful topics include:
Buying a vehicle
Before buying a vehicle, perform a $2 search on the Personal Property Securities Register to check if it is recorded as debt free, stolen or written off.
No Interest Loans Scheme
The No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) gives access to fair and safe loans for eligible people, with no interest, fees or charges. They're designed to make repayments affordable.
- Financial Information Service – A free service provided by Services Australia that can inform and educate you about financial matters.
- National Tax Clinic Program – A free service provided by the Australian Tax Office that supports eligible people who can't get tax advice and help due to financial, social or personal challenges.
- The Australian Tax Office's Tax Help program is free and helps eligible people earning $60,000 or less to lodge their tax return.
