Money problems can happen to anyone
Are you worried about your bills?
Are you struggling to pay your rent, mortgage, credit card, car loan, utilities, council rates or schools fees?
Are you experiencing family violence, gambling harm or relationship breakdown?
A financial counsellor can help.
Financial counsellors provide free, independent and non-judgemental support and advocacy for people in financial difficulty.
A financial counsellor can help you understand…
- Bills and loans
- Debts
- Housing payments
- Fines
- Utility relief
- Scams
- Government assistance
- Consumer and financial rights
- Insurance options
Financial counsellors work in non-government community organisations. The service is free, confidential and available to anyone who is worried about their financial situation. In-person or phone-based support is available from your local financial counselling service.
When you speak to a financial counsellor you’ll feel informed, understood and know your options.
Finding your local financial counsellor
You can use the below map to find your local financial counselling service.
In the search field in the top right corner of the map, type in your suburbe or postcode and click the icon.Services are displayed on the map with the icon.
Click the icon to open the full details for the service.
- A service that offers ‘general help with debts and money problems’ is usually a good place to start.
- If you have specific issues, for example, you need emergency
relief or gambling support, that may influence your selection. - Once you’ve chosen a service to go to, you can contact them using the phone
number or email address listed. - If you have trouble using the map, or need more immediate support, you can call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. See below for more details.
- Remember – financial counselling services are always free, confidential and
independent. Interpreters are available and there are no visa restrictions.
National Debt Helpline
For immediate assistance and/or to be connected to your nearest service, contact the National Debt Helpline (9.30am–4.30pm, Monday to Friday).
Call 1800 007 007 or click here for online chat.
Interpreter services are available.
A qualified financial counsellor will assess your situation over the phone and provide you with free advice to help you.
If your matter is more complex, they can connect you with your closest face-to-face financial counselling service.
Financial counselling for Small Business Owners
Dedicated financial counselling support is available for small business owners in Victoria.
Services include:
- Small Business Debt Helpline on 1800 413 828 or click here for online chat
- Partners in Wellbeing on 1300 375 330 or click here for online chat
Click here to read more about the financial counselling services available for small business owners.
Rural financial counselling
For primary producers, fishers and small rural businesses experiencing financial hardship, a rural financial counsellor can help you develop and implement plans to improve your financial situation.
For a referral to your nearest rural financial counselling service:
Call the RFCS Network National Information Line on 1300 771 741
Email: [email protected]
Go to: https://recovery.gov.au/programs/rural-financial-counselling/RFCS
Translated information
Information about financial counselling is available in the following languages:Other resources for assistance
The following organisations provide consumers with fair, free and independent dispute resolution: