Speak to a financial counsellor

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need some help in dealing with your financial stress, please contact one of our financial counsellors.

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

To speak to a financial counsellor you can:

• Call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. The National Debt Helpline is available 9:30 am to 4:30 pm weekdays.
• 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 during operating hours.
• Make an appointment to see a financial counsellor in your local area. Find a local financial counsellor on the map below.

Specialist financial counsellors

There are also specialist financial counsellors providing free advice and support to individuals in specific circumstances. These include: farmers, first nations people, small businesses, people with gambling issues, people who have experienced family and domestic violence, people who have applied or are thinking about applying to the National Redress Scheme, and defence force veterans.  Contact details for these specialist financial counselling services are below.

If you are not sure whether you need a specialist financial counsellor, start by contacting the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 and the financial counsellor you speak to can refer you to the best support option.

Family and Domestic Violence (FDV)

• There are specialist financial counselling services across Australia that can help women who have experienced FDV to take steps to protect their financial safety, deal with debts, financial hardship, Centrelink entitlements, and money management. Call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 and ask to be referred to your closest service.
• Or call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Online help and details of support services in your state or territory are available at 1800RESPECT.org.au.

Gambling Help

• Financial counsellors can help you manage debts caused by gambling. However, some financial counsellors are trained as specialist gambling financial counsellors – call the National Debt Helpline and ask to be referred to your closest service if you need additional help.
• Or call Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Online help and details of state services are available at the Gambling Help Online website.

Mob Strong Debt Help

• Call 1800 808 488 to speak to a First Nations financial counsellor from Mob Strong Debt Help (9:30 am to 4:30 pm weekdays).
• Mob Strong Debt Help is a free financial counselling and legal advice service about credit, debt, banking, and insurance problems for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from anywhere in Australia.
• Visit Mob Strong Debt Help to learn more about the support available.

The National Debt Helpline welcomes First Nations people and aims to work with you in a culturally respectful and inclusive manner. When you contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007, you can ask the financial counsellor you speak to whether there is a First Nations financial counselling service available in your area. They will then work to link you to a service that can assist you.

Rural financial counsellors

• Call 1300 771 741 to speak to a Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) provider. RFCS providers support primary producers and small rural businesses with planning and assistance in times of need.
• Visit www.rfcsnetwork.com.au  to learn more about the Rural Financial Counselling and Small Business Support available.

Small business financial counselling

• Call 1800 413 828 to speak to a specialist small business financial counsellor on the Small Business Debt Helpline.
• The Small Business Debt Helpline provides advice to small business owners and sole traders experiencing financial difficulty. The website is sbdh.org.au.

National Redress Scheme financial counselling support

• Specialist financial counsellors at knowmore Legal Service can assist people who are thinking about applying, or have applied, to the National Redress Scheme.  They can help you understand how the payment may affect your situation, including any impact on benefits you receive.  They can also work with you to manage your debts before receiving a payment.
• Call 1800 605 762 to speak to a specialist financial counsellor at knowmore.
• Visit knowmore to learn more about the financial counselling support available.

Veteran financial counselling support

Bravery Trust is a national military charity which provides current and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force with financial assistance, financial counselling and financial education. Their Financial Counselling Service is founded on an in-depth understanding of the Australian Defence Force and veteran support systems.

Call 1800 272 837 or fill in their online form at Financial Counselling – Bravery Trust and a Bravery Trust financial counsellor will contact you.