Support Directory for Navigating Financial and Legal Challenges

Our Support Directory offers a pathway to understanding and managing debt-related challenges. This resource is designed for those navigating the complexities of financial hardship, providing access to essential services in debt management, legal support, and financial counselling in Australia. It brings together trusted organisations committed to offering practical assistance and informed advice, helping you make informed decisions and find solutions in times of financial difficulty, in compliance with Australian debt collection laws and practices.

Financial Counselling

National Debt Helpline

Provides free financial counselling to individuals facing debt-related issues.

Counselling and Support Services

1800 RESPECT

Confidential information, counselling and support service. Open 24 hours to support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.

Beyond Blue

Provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health.

Family Relationship Advice Line

Information and advice on family relationship issues and parenting arrangements after separation.

Gambling Help

Counselling, information and support for anyone affected by gambling.

Lifeline

Crisis support and suicide prevention services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

MensLine Australia

National telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns.

Uniting (previously Kildonan UnitingCare)

Target the issues that lead to personal or financial hardship and family breakdown – supporting you to tackle them upfront before the problems take hold or worsen.

Emergency and Disaster Relief

Emergency Relief

Emergency relief services are delivered by community organisations to support people who are experiencing financial distress or hardship and who have limited means or resources to help them alleviate their financial crisis.

Disaster Relief

Assistance from the Australian Government may be provided to aid the recovery of Australians most affected by an offshore or onshore disaster. In such cases, this website will have up-to-date public information messages, relevant free call numbers, information on Australian Government assistance packages and links to other relevant websites.

Government Agencies

Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)

Provides information on financial hardship including guidance on dealing with debt and managing financial difficulties.

Centrelink

Payments, social work counselling and third party referrals. Centrelink also provides crisis payments for victims of domestic violence or other extreme circumstance who have left their home and cannot return.

Legal Aid Services

Legal Aid

Advice on intervention orders, family law and civil/credit and debt matters.

Find a legal aid commission at nationallegalaid.org

Seniors’ Rights Service

A community legal centre that provides advocacy, legal advice and education for older people.

Women’s Legal Service Australia

Face-to-face legal advice through outreach services and runs a partnership to provide family law advice through Family Relationship Centres.

Translation Services

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS)

Interpreting service for people who do not speak English and for agencies and businesses that need to communicate with their non-English speaking clients.

Complaints

Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)

Resolves disputes between consumers and financial service providers including those related to financial hardship. AFCA is an independent complaints scheme that is free.