Credit repair services claim to improve your credit score or fix your credit report, which contains your credit history and is used by credit providers to decide whether to approve loans or services.
Credit repair services claim they can remove negative listings or improve your credit score, but they cannot delete accurate information like defaults or late payments. Many charge high fees for tasks you can do yourself for free, such as checking your credit report, requesting corrections or negotiating with lenders. Knowing how credit reports work—and ensuring your information is correct—helps you avoid unnecessary costs and protect your financial wellbeing.
For more information visit the moneysmart or National Debt Helpline websites.
A credit score is a number that shows how risky you appear to lenders, while a credit report is the detailed record of your credit history that the score is based on.
Credit scores and credit reports help lenders understand how reliably you manage money, repay debts and handle credit. Your credit report contains information such as repayment history, loan applications, defaults and hardship arrangements, while your credit score summarises this into a single number. Checking your report regularly helps you spot errors, protect yourself from identity fraud and improve your financial wellbeing.
For more information about Credit Reports and Scores visit the moneysmart or National Debt Helpline website.
Debt collection is the process where a creditor or a debt collection agency attempts to recover money that is overdue, while credit harassment refers to illegal, excessive, or intimidating behaviour by collectors when trying to recover that debt.
Debt collection occurs when a creditor or a debt collection agency contacts you to recover unpaid debts. Agencies may be hired by the creditor or may have purchased the debt and become the new creditor. Debt collectors must follow Australian consumer protection laws and treat people with fairness, respect and courtesy.
Credit harassment happens when a debt collector uses undue, excessive or intimidating behaviour to pressure someone into paying a debt. This includes repeated unwanted contact, threats, misleading statements, or contacting your workplace or family in ways that embarrass or intimidate you. Such behaviour is illegal under Australian law.
If you receive a notice about being taken to court, seek free legal advice straight away.
Essentials by AAI provides simple, affordable car and home contents insurance designed for people on tight budgets.
Essentials by AAI offers low-cost car and home contents insurance with simple, essential cover and easy claims for Australians on a budget. It focuses on providing straightforward, essential protection with accessible pricing, support services, and a simplified claims process.
Services Provided:
- Car insurance cover
- Home contents insurance cover
- Claims support and processing
- Financial hardship assistance options
- Customer support and dispute resolution services
- Access to policy documents and coverage guidance
- Support services for customers needing extra assistance
Financial hardship is when you are unable to make repayments on loans, utilities, or household debts due to changes in your financial situation.
Life can take unexpected turns, and sometimes managing bills or repayments on loans and debts can become overwhelming. If you are unable to meet your financial commitments, this is called financial hardship. It means you may not be able to pay loans, utilities, or household debts as agreed, but you can contact your lender to explain your situation and request to speak to their hardship team to discuss possible support options. Some common reason people experience financial hardship are job loss or reduced income, illness or medical issues, relationship breakdown or separation, unexpected expenses (e.g. repairs, emergencies), rising cost of living pressures.
Financial hardship support can involve:
- Help when you can’t pay loans, utilities, or household debts
- Contact your lender directly about hardship
- Request to speak to the lender’s hardship team
- Discuss repayment changes or short-term arrangements
- Adjusted or paused repayments depending on circumstances
- Support to manage essential bills during financial difficulty
The Financial Information Service is a free Services Australia program that helps people make informed decisions about managing their finances and planning for the future.
Through free appointments, webinars and educational resources, Financial Information Service Officers provide independent information about topics such as superannuation, retirement planning, investments, debt, budgeting and aged care, helping Australians better understand their financial options and improve financial confidence.
Services Provided:
- Information about superannuation, retirement income and pension options
- Guidance on budgeting, debt management and using credit responsibly
- Education about investments and how financial products work
- Support understanding redundancy payments, inheritances and lump sums
- Information about aged care costs and financial planning for later life
- Free webinars, phone appointments, video chats and face-to-face support
- Referrals to other support services such as financial counsellors and community programs
- General financial literacy education to build confidence with financial decisions
Financial Wellbeing and Capability helps people build the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to take control of their money and strengthen long‑term financial stability.
Financial Wellbeing and Capability services provide personalised support to help individuals understand their financial situation, develop healthier money habits, navigate financial stress, and build the capability to make informed decisions that strengthen their financial future.
Services Provided:
- Financial education — Guidance on budgeting, saving, credit, banking and everyday money management.
- Debt management guidance — Help to understand debts, negotiate with creditors and explore repayment options.
- Advocacy support — Assistance communicating with service providers, lenders and utility companies.
- Goal‑setting support — Coaching to set achievable financial goals and track progress.
- Access to community resources — Connection to local services such as housing, employment, legal and wellbeing supports.
- Building long‑term capability — Developing confidence and independence in managing money over time.
The Funeral Assistance Program helps eligible South Australians cover the cost of a basic, dignified funeral when they cannot afford one.
Delivered by the South Australian Government, provides financial and practical support to people who cannot pay for a funeral after the death of a family member or friend. Depending on the situation, it can arrange a simple funeral service or contribute toward existing funeral costs, ensuring respectful arrangements for those with limited financial means.
Services Provided:
- Basic funeral arrangement (usually cremation)
- Coverage of essential funeral costs
- Limited support for burial (in some cases)
- Financial help toward funeral expenses
- Coordination with funeral providers
- Eligibility and application assessment
Gambling Harm Support SA is a free and confidential South Australian support service that helps people affected by gambling harm through counselling, education, treatment programs and referral services.
Gambling Harm Support SA provides support for individuals, families and communities impacted by gambling harm, offering access to 24/7 helplines, online counselling, face-to-face services, financial counselling, self-help tools and programs focused on prevention, early intervention and recovery.
Services provided:
- 24/7 free and confidential gambling helpline support
- Telephone, online and face-to-face counselling services
- Financial counselling for gambling-related debt and money issues
- Support for family members, friends and carers affected by gambling
- Referrals to local gambling support services across South Australia
- Self-help tools, educational resources and online programs
- Information about self-exclusion and taking a break from gambling
- Multicultural and Aboriginal-specific support services
- Community education and gambling harm prevention programs
- Early intervention, treatment and recovery support services