Financial Hardship Help Resources & Contact Directory | State-by-State

Money stress can build quickly when income drops, bills pile up or something unexpected happens. This directory connects you with free or low cost support across Australia, including financial counselling, emergency relief and government hardship programs.

How To Use This Financial Hardship Directory

If you’re not sure where to start, use the national contacts first, then look at the section for your state or territory. If you are in immediate danger or at risk of harm, call 000 before anything else.

Some people prefer to deal with short term cash flow pressure early. In those cases, a regulated small personal loan from a lender such as CashPal, combined with a realistic repayment plan.

National Financial Hardship Helplines And Services

• The National Debt Helpline is the main starting point for anyone in Australia who is overwhelmed by bills or debt. You can call 1800 007 007 or use the online chat function on their website to speak with an independent financial counsellor.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can contact Mob Strong Debt Help on 1800 808 488 for financial counselling about credit, debt and insurance.
• Way Forward Debt Solutions is a non profit service that creates affordable repayment plans for people in long term financial hardship. Their services are free for clients and more information is available on their website.
• ASIC’s Moneysmart website provides a central hub for urgent money help, including links to financial counselling, emergency relief and government payments.
• The Salvation Army Moneycare program offers free, confidential financial counselling across Australia.
• Services Australia administers crisis and special help payments for people in severe financial hardship following extreme circumstances, such as domestic violence or natural disasters.

New South Wales Financial Hardship Help

State Government Crisis And Financial Support

The NSW Government Cost of Living hub includes a crisis support section that directs you to emergency assistance, energy rebates and links back to Services Australia for federal crisis help.

People affected by disasters in New South Wales can also review current disaster recovery support through Services Australia.

Free Financial Counselling And Community Support

Residents in New South Wales can access free financial counselling by contacting the National Debt Helpline. Many community organisations, including the Salvation Army Moneycare and Anglicare services in NSW, deliver these sessions on behalf of national and state programs.

For people who are struggling with both money and emotional distress, it can help to pair financial counselling with crisis counselling. Lifeline offers 24 hour crisis support on 13-11-14. However, please remember that this doesn’t replace professional financial advice.

Victoria Financial Hardship Help

State Government Assistance And Concessions

The Victorian Government maintains an emergency assistance and support services page that sets out financial counselling contacts, emergency relief and links to no interest loans.

Victorians experiencing difficulty with energy or water bills can also explore concessions and targeted grants such as the Utility Relief Grant Scheme via the state Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, which is linked from the same vic.gov.au portal.

Free Financial Counselling Services

Financial Counselling Victoria coordinates services across the state and explains how to get help from a qualified financial counsellor. Their site also directs people back to the National Debt Helpline. 

Many Victorian financial counselling services are delivered through community agencies, including Anglicare Victoria and other not for profit providers, and are funded so that they remain free and confidential for clients.

Queensland Financial Hardship Help

Emergency Relief And Crisis Support

The Queensland Government Emergency Relief Program provides financial and material support for people facing financial crises. Support can include food and transport vouchers and help with essential bills.

Following declared disasters, Queensland residents may be able to access Emergency Hardship Assistance grants to cover immediate essentials such as food, clothing and temporary accommodation.

Financial Counselling In Queensland

Queenslanders can reach a free financial counsellor by contacting the National Debt Helpline at https://ndh.org.au. Financial counsellors can help with budgeting, negotiating with creditors and understanding options before you resort to high cost credit.

The Salvation Army Moneycare and local community organisations deliver financial counselling in many parts of Queensland. Their programs complement state emergency relief by helping people stabilise their finances after an immediate crisis has passed.

Western Australia Financial Hardship Help

Government-Funded Financial Counselling

The Government of Western Australia recognises financial counselling as a key support for individuals and families in hardship and funds services across the state. A recent government announcement on free, independent and compassionate financial counselling support is available.

Rural and regional residents can also access assistance such as the Rural Financial Counselling Service for eligible primary producers and small businesses, alongside mainstream financial counselling.

Community And Charity Support Services

Anglicare WA and other community organisations provide free financial counselling and related support across Western Australia. You can read about these services and find contact details on their website.

As in other states, Western Australians can also use the National Debt Helpline to connect with local services funded by federal and state programs.

South Australia Financial Hardship Help

Emergency Financial Aid

South Australians facing immediate financial stress can access information about emergency relief, including help with food, bills and housing, through the SA Government portals. A good starting point is the emergency financial assistance content on the SA Government website, which links to relevant programs and providers.

For people affected by disasters or sudden life events, Services Australia disaster recovery and crisis payments may also apply, so it is worth reviewing both state and federal assistance.

Financial Counselling And Advice

The SA Department of Human Services outlines how free financial counselling works in South Australia and directs residents to the National Debt Helpline and the Affordable SA website.

In addition to these entry points, a number of non government organisations provide financial counselling and support to families, older people and Aboriginal communities, and are listed through the Affordable SA directory.

Tasmania Financial Hardship Help

Emergency Financial Assistance

Tasmanians experiencing financial crisis after emergencies or major life events can access emergency relief and advice through state and community portals. The Find Help Tas directory aggregates many of these services.

People in regional and remote parts of Tasmania can also phone national helplines, which will refer them to the closest available service in their area.

Free Financial Counselling

Anglicare Tasmania provides a statewide, free financial counselling service that is independent, confidential and non judgmental. Their counsellors can help with budgeting, debt management and understanding hardship options.

Anglicare Tasmania also delivers the National Debt Helpline financial counselling service in Tasmania, which means that calls to 1800 007 007 are often handled by their team.

ACT Financial Hardship Help

Financial Counselling And Capability Services

In the ACT, Care Financial Counselling Service provides free, independent and confidential support for people dealing with credit, debt and budgeting issues.

Care also operates consumer law and no interest loan programs, so they can refer you to related services if you need legal advice or safe, low cost credit options rather than high cost short term loans.

ACT residents can also use the national entry points at National Debt Helpline and MoneySmart to find additional services funded by the Australian Government.

Northern Territory Financial Hardship Help

Financial Counselling Services

Darwin Community Legal Service offers free financial counselling for people in financial difficulty, including help with debt management, budgeting and advocacy with creditors.

People outside Darwin can look up financial counselling and support listings in the NT Community Directory, which includes entries for services funded by government programs.

Homelessness And Crisis Support

Anglicare NT provides several financial inclusion services, including the Money Support Hub in East Arnhem and financial counselling programs that also address gambling related harm. 

These services can be particularly important where financial hardship is linked with housing instability, health issues or other complex challenges, and staff can often coordinate with housing and health providers.

When To Seek Help And What To Expect

Financial hardship can build over time through missed bills and rising balances, or hit suddenly after separation, illness or job loss. Getting help early usually gives you more options.

The financial counselling services listed here are free and confidential. They can review your income and debts, explain your rights, help you prioritise essentials and talk through options with lenders and utilities.

Be careful with new credit during or after hardship. For some people, once a counsellor has helped set a clear budget, a small regulated personal loan from a lender like CashPal can help with a short term gap or consolidating smaller debts, but only where repayments are genuinely affordable and part of a realistic recovery plan.

FAQs

What Is Financial Hardship And When Should I Ask For Help?

Financial hardship is when you cannot cover essential expenses or keep up with loans and credit cards because income has dropped or costs have risen. Ask for help as soon as you start paying bills late, using credit for basics or missing payments.

Is Financial Counselling Really Free And Confidential In Australia?

Yes. Government funded financial counselling is free, confidential and independent. Counsellors do not sell products or report to your lenders, and their role is to explain your situation, rights and options. You can reach a counsellor anywhere in Australia through the National Debt Helpline.

Will Contacting A Financial Counsellor Affect My Credit Score Or Future Loans?

No. Talking to a financial counsellor does not appear on your credit report or change your score. They can help you avoid defaults or court action, which protects your credit history and can leave you better placed for future loan applications.

Can I Use These Services If I Live In A Regional Or Remote Area?

Yes. Most services provide phone and online support, so regional and remote residents can access the same counselling as people in cities. Some areas also have local or rural financial counselling services.

What Information Should I Have Ready Before I Call A Financial Hardship Helpline?

If possible, have details of your income, essential expenses and debts, including who you owe and how much. Do not delay if you cannot find everything, as counsellors can start with what you have. A clearer picture over time will also help you decide whether options like hardship arrangements or a small personal loan from a lender such as CashPal fit sensibly into your plan.