Free Financial Counselling & Hardship Help in Australia: How to Get Support

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You don't have to sort this out alone

After a job loss, one of the most underused resources in Australia is free financial counselling. These are qualified, independent professionals — not salespeople — who help you understand your options, negotiate with creditors, and build a plan. Best of all, legitimate financial counselling is free.

General information only, not financial advice. This page explains support services and how to access them.

What free financial counsellors actually do

Review your full financial picture — debts, income, expenses — without judgement.
Explain your rights, including hardship provisions under Australian credit law.
Negotiate directly with banks, lenders and utility providers on your behalf.
Help you understand formal options (like debt agreements or bankruptcy) and their serious long-term consequences before you consider them.
Connect you with emergency relief, Centrelink guidance, and community support.

Hardship programs: your legal right

Under the National Credit Code, if you can't reasonably meet repayments due to circumstances like redundancy, you can request a hardship variation from your lender. Options may include:

Temporarily pausing or reducing repayments.
Extending the loan term to lower monthly amounts.
Waiving certain fees or interest for a set period.

Ask early — before you fall behind — to protect your credit standing. A financial counsellor can make these requests far less daunting.

What defines legitimate, safe help

It's free. Genuine financial counselling doesn't charge you.
It's independent. Counsellors aren't paid on commission to sell you loans or plans.
It's confidential and non-judgemental.
The National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) is a well-known free national service, and community organisations across every state offer local support.

Red flags: fee-charging 'debt' companies

Be cautious of businesses advertising to 'consolidate,' 'manage,' or 'clear' your debt for a fee. Watch for:

Upfront or ongoing fees for something free counsellors do at no cost.
Promises to 'wipe' debt or fix your credit quickly.
Pressure to sign a debt agreement without explaining its serious credit consequences.
Vague answers about total costs.

Who this suits

Frankly, almost everyone facing debt after a layoff benefits from a free counselling conversation — whether you're just anxious about the future or already behind on payments. It costs nothing and often reveals options you didn't know existed.

How to take the first step

Gather a rough list of your debts, bills and income, then reach out. You can Check current price to get connected with financial counselling and hardship support services, or contact the National Debt Helpline directly on 1800 007 007. Reaching out early is one of the most powerful moves you can make.