There are community, charity and government services to help you with food, housing and bills, as well as emotional support.
If you don't know where to start, information on options available to you can be found at Urgent help with money - Moneysmart.gov.au
Financial counselling is a free and confidential service.
Financial counsellors are skilled professionals. They will listen to your problems and help you with things like:
- bills or fines you're struggling to pay
- being contacted by debt collectors
- gas, electricity or phone disconnection
- being evicted from your house
- car accidents with no insurance
- tax debts
Financial Counsellors can also help you plan and negotiate with your mortgage or credit providers.
Financial counselling is a free and confidential service offered by community organisations, community legal centres and some government agencies. You should never pay for financial counselling. Businesses that charge fees for this are debt consolidation and refinancing companies.
Financial counsellors do not offer legal advice. Free legal advice is available at community legal centres and Legal Aid offices across Australia. For more information visit Free legal advice - Moneysmart.gov.au
If you want to find a financial counsellor, call the National Debt Helpline at 1800 007 007 between 9.30am and 4.30pm from Monday to Friday. Your call will be transferred to the service in your state. You can also visit their website at ndh.org.au for more information.
If you are a small business, there is now a dedicated Small Business Debt Helpline. They can be reached at 1800 413 828 or you can visit their website at sbdh.org.au.
If you're going through a personal crisis, help is available.
| Type of services | Details |
|---|---|
Crisis support
|
Lifeline 13 11 14 24 hours Lifeline's crisis support online chat |
| Depression or anxiety |
Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36 24 hours Beyond Blue's web chat (3pm to 12am) |
| Sexual assault, domestic or family violence counselling |
1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 24 hours |
| Alcohol or other drug use |
Family Drug Support Australia 1300 368 186 24 hours |
| Gambling |
Gambling Help Online National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858 24 hours |
| Type of services |
Crisis support
|
|---|---|
| Details |
Lifeline 13 11 14 24 hours Lifeline's crisis support online chat |
| Type of services |
Depression or anxiety |
| Details |
Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36 24 hours Beyond Blue's web chat (3pm to 12am) |
| Type of services |
Sexual assault, domestic or family violence counselling |
| Details |
1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 24 hours |
| Type of services |
Alcohol or other drug use |
| Details |
Family Drug Support Australia 1300 368 186 24 hours |
| Type of services |
Gambling |
| Details |
Gambling Help Online National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858 24 hours |