Financial counselling is a service provided by a financial counsellor who is a community worker that acts without a conflict of interest, as a negotiator and an advocate on behalf of people experiencing financial hardship or who are unable to manage their debts. Financial Counselling services are funded by state and federal governments and donations.

Financial Counsellors are skilled professionals, bound by a Code of Ethical Practice to deliver the best outcomes for their clients.

Financial Counselling Services are free, confidential and non-conflicted.

• A full assessment of their financial situation, including regular income and expenditure, assets and liabilities
• Advise and assist with problems related to debt and debt enforcement
• Advocate and negotiate with banks and other lenders
• Assist with concessions, grant eligibility and referrals for material aid
• Assist with lodging complaints to external dispute resolution services
• Refer to other community, health and legal services
• Consumer rights information
• Change and improvement information and options
• Credit laws, debt recovery process, bankruptcy and other options

Financial counsellors can also provide information about:

• credit and debt related matters
• the rights and obligations of creditors
• how the debt collection and debt enforcement process works
• the pros and cons of bankruptcy and other insolvency options
• how to access other specialist support services, including gambling, family support, personal counselling, legal aid and emergency relief

• charge any set up fees and/or ongoing fees for their service
• receive any payments or commissions from third parties for their services
• lend money
• complete tax returns
• provide debt consolidation services
• provide investment advice 

When you see a financial counsellor, they will firstly listen carefully to your personal story to understand the specific financial challenges you are facing, in the short and long term.

The counsellor will then work with you to gain a clearer picture of your financial situation and provide you with different options and strategies, discussing the pros and cons of each. You can use this information to make your own choices about how to best resolve your financial problems.

The counsellor’s goal is to help you deal with your short-term financial situation as well as minimise the risk of future financial problems. Counselling sessions are safe and always confidential.

Anyone who is unable to pay a bill or at risk of not being able to pay a bill.

Our service is free and independent and is provided within a safe and confidential environment.

Your Financial Counsellor will call you to discuss your situation and will advise if a face to face appointment is necessary.

Your Financial Counsellor will call you to discuss your situation, and will advise you of the paperwork required prior to your appointment.

An appointment is generally 1 to 1.5 hours.

Depending on your needs, multiple sessions may be required.

No.

We respect your privacy. We do not sell, rent or trade any personal information to or with any third parties. We may disclose your personal information (not financial) to external service providers in the circumstances discussed in our privacy policy.