No Interest Loans for essential goods and services

You can use NILs to:

NILs allows you to borrow up to $2,000 for the cost of essential goods and services including:

• Household essentials: for example, a fridge or washing machine
• Health and wellbeing: for example medical and dental costs
• Education and employment: for example, school activities and uniforms
• Housing: for example, house repairs and hot water tank
• Vehicle and transport: for example, car repairs and registration.

You may be eligible to borrow up to $3,000 to pay for specific things such as:

• Rent advance and bond (paid to a real estate agent, not a private landlord)
• Rent arrears (if caused by exceptional circumstances such as hospitalisation)
• Council rates
• Utility bills (only if you have or are experiencing family and domestic violence)

You can’t use NILs to:

No Interest Loans are NOT for cash – the loan funds are paid directly to the store you bought the goods from; the service provider, the real estate agent, council or utility provider.

Repayments:

The loans are interest free, there are no fees, and repayments are set at an affordable amount over a period of up to 24 months.

Credit checks:

There are no credit checks required for this loan.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for NILs if you:

• are 17 years or over;
• are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a visa that expires after the loan term;
• meet one of the low-income eligibility criteria below;

• • • have a Centrelink healthcare or pension card; or
    • earn less than $70,000 a year (before tax) for singles; or
    • earn less than $100,000 a year (before tax) for couples or people with dependents; or
    • there is a no upper income threshold if you have experienced family and domestic violence (within the last 10 years).

• you have lived at your current address for at least 3 months (however, this criteria can be waived under exceptional circumstances); and
• you can, and are willing to, repay the loan within the timeframe required.

How to apply

1. Find your local NILs provider

NILs are offered by more than 250 local community organisations in over 650 locations across Australia.

Find your local NILS provider and check your eligibility here

2. Call your local NILs provider

Your local NILs provider will help you with your application and work out what you can afford to repay. It’s helpful if you have proof of ID and documents showing your finances.

NILs for Vehicles

You can use NILs for Vehicles to:

No Interest Loans (NILs) for Vehicles offers loans of $2,000 to $5,000 for people and families on low incomes to purchase an essential vehicle for day-to-day use including cars, scooters, mobility scooters, motorcycles and boats.

The vehicle being purchased must be road worthy and if it is a car, it must be registered.

You can’t use NILs for Vehicles to:

You cannot use this loan to purchase recreational bikes, boats or caravans.

Loans are NOT for cash.  Vehicles can be purchased from a dealer or through private sale however all money is paid directly to the person or business selling the vehicle.

You cannot use this loan to purchase a car or other type of vehicle from a family member.

Repayments:

The loans are interest free, there are no fees, and repayments are set at an affordable amount over a period of up to 48 months.

Credit checks:

A credit check IS required for this loan.

Applicants for this loan are encouraged to check their credit report before applying.  Find out how to Get your free credit report here.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for NILs for Vehicles if you:

• are 17 years or over;
• are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a visa that expires after the loan term;
• meet one of the low-income eligibility criteria below;

• • • have a Centrelink healthcare or pension card; or
    • earn less than $70,000 a year (before tax) for singles; or
    • earn less than $100,000 a year (before tax) for couples or people with dependants.

• Have lived at your current address for at least 3 months; and
• Show that you can, and are willing to, repay the loan within the timeframe required.

How to apply

1. Find your local NILs for Vehicles provider.

NILs for Vehicles is offered by a limited number of accredited community organisations across Australia.

Find your local NILS for Vehicles provider and check your eligibility here

2. Call your local NILs for Vehicles provider

Your local provider will help you with your application and work out what you can afford to repay. It’s helpful if you have proof of ID and documents showing your finances.

Emergency financial assistance

If you have no income and/or cannot afford basic necessities, there is help available. You can find your closest service on the Ask Izzy website. You can also call us at the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 and we can give you the details.

For further information, see Emergency Assistance.

Speak to one of our financial counsellors

The National Debt Helpline does not provide NILs loans. However, it’s worth talking to a financial counsellor if you’re unsure whether a NILs loan is right for you.

Financial counsellors aren’t judgmental about your circumstances – they’re here to offer you free, confidential and independent advice and assistance.

To speak to a financial counsellor you can:

• Call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 – open Weekdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
• Use our live chat service by clicking the chat icon in the bottom right corner of your screen. Live chat is available 9:00 am to 8.00 pm weekdays. If you send a message outside these hours a financial counsellor will get back to you.
• Make an appointment to see a financial counsellor in your local area – Find a local Financial Counsellor.