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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.
Find a financial counsellor near you
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:
If you’re facing personal financial problems, it’s important to know where to go for help that you can trust. Find out more about untrustworthy debt advisors.
Video: Where to find help
Tell your creditors
If you're in debt and struggling to make your payments, it is important to tell your creditors and explain your situation.
Negotiate payment 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.
Energy and utilities
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.
Concessions and rebates
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 or territory website.
| State or territory | Resource |
|---|---|
| ACT | Rates assistance |
| NSW | Pensioner council rate rebates |
| NT | Council rates and garbage concessions |
| QLD | Rates subsidy |
| SA | Cost of living concessions |
| TAS | Council rates concession |
| VIC | Municipal rates concession |
| WA | Pensioners or seniors rebate |
Dealing with debt collectors
For information on dealing with debt collectors, access Australian Competition and Consumer Commission resources at:
Managing your money
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
Financial information
- 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.
Help in your language
Translating and Interpreting Service – call 131 450 (24 hours a day).
The Translating and Interpreting Service can help you if you have difficulty speaking or understanding English.