The National Debt Helpline is a not-for-profit service that helps people tackle their debt problems. We’re not a lender and we don’t ‘sell’ anything or make money from you.
Our professional financial counsellors offer a free, independent and confidential service.
We’re simply here to help you get back on track
Financial counselling provides valuable guidance in managing your debts and regaining control of your finances. Issues a Financial Counsellor can assist with include:
- Financial rights and responsibilities
- Money planning
- Applications for hardship
- Debts and debt recovery processes
- Concessions and related entitlements
- Referrals to complimentary services
- Insolvency and bankruptcy options
The National Debt Helpline website has resources available to support you in understanding your situation and steps you can take to resolve.
If you contact the helpline, you will speak with an Intake Service Operator who will be able to provide you with information and referrals to complimentary services such as emergency relief, legal services, government agencies and many others. If you require the services of a Financial Counsellor they will seek to book you an appointment or refer you to a service within your area.
The National Debt Helpline phone lines are open Monday to Friday between the hours of 9.30 am - 4.30pm (closed public holidays).
You can also engage in Live Chat with a Financial Counsellor via the National Debt Helpline webpage. Chat is available between the hours of 9.00am and 8.00pm
If you wish to contact a financial counsellor in your area, please use the "Find a Financial Counsellor" link on the left hand side
PEACE Multicultural Gambling Help Services work with people, families and communities whose lives are being affected negatively by gambling or excessive gaming.
A free, culturally sensitive support service for people, families and communities. This service provides information, guidance and practical support to help you understand gambling harm and work towards positive change.
Services Include:
- Understanding gambling and its impacts
- Strategies to reduce or stop gambling
- Learning about the impacts of gambling on individuals, families and communities
- Support for families and relationships
- Identifying triggers and strategies to reduce or stop gambling or gaming
- Help with managing gambling-related debts
- Building confidence and reducing shame linked to gambling problems
- Referrals to other support services
Rural Business Support is a not-for-profit organisation that provides free financial counselling and support to farmers, rural businesses and communities experiencing financial hardship.
Rural Business Support supports farmers, small rural businesses and landowners by providing practical financial counselling and business guidance. Their services help people manage financial stress, improve business sustainability and access support during challenges such as drought, natural disasters or economic hardship.
Services Provided:
- Free and confidential financial counselling for farmers and rural businesses
- Small business financial counselling and support
- Guidance on managing farm or rural business finances
- Support for landowners dealing with mining, exploration or land access issues
- Assistance accessing grants, relief funding and government support programs
- Referrals to other relevant rural and financial support services
Scamwatch is a government service that helps Australians identify, avoid and report scams.
Scamwatch is run by the National Anti-Scam Centre to provide up-to-date information about scams and how to stay safe. The service collects scam reports from the public, shares warnings about new scams and provides advice on what to do if you have been targeted or affected by a scam.
Services Provided:
- Information about common scams and how to avoid them
- Scam alerts and updates about new or emerging scams
- Online reporting of scams to help track scam activity
- Advice on what to do if you have been scammed
- Resources to help individuals and communities stay safe from scams
The Seniors Card SA program provides eligible older people in South Australia with a free card that offers discounts, special deals and travel benefits.
Seniors Card SA is a South Australian Government program that helps older residents save money and stay connected to their community. Members receive access to discounts from hundreds of participating businesses, special offers and free travel on Adelaide Metro buses, trains and trams.
Services Provided:
- Free Seniors Card membership for eligible South Australians
- Discounts and special offers from participating businesses
- Free travel on Adelaide Metro public transport
- Access to competitions, promotions and exclusive deals
- Online directory of discounts and partner businesses
- Information and resources relevant to older South Australians
The Small Business Debt Helpline is a free and confidential service supporting Australian small business owners and sole traders who are experiencing financial difficulty.
Staffed by a team of qualified and independent financial counsellors, the Helpline provides free, practical advice and clear guidance through phone and online chat to help you regain control of your financial situation.
Services include:
- Provides free, confidential and independent financial counselling for small business owners and sole traders
- Helps you understand business and personal debts, including personal guarantees
- Assists with negotiating payment arrangements with the ATO, creditors, suppliers and service providers
- Offers guidance on grants, training and government support programs
- Provides support during financial crises such as natural disasters or economic hardship
- Helps assess business viability and available options moving forward
- Provides information on closing a business, including insolvency and bankruptcy processes
- Refers you to dispute resolution services where appropriate
Assistance with lodging your tax return.
The Tax Help Program is free and helps eligible people lodge their tax return online.
From July to October each year, accredited volunteers help people lodge their tax returns online.
Services Include:
- lodge an online tax returns
- create a myGov account
- lodge an amendment to your tax return
- claim a refund of franking credits
The Salvation Army No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) provides safe, interest‑free loans to people on low incomes, helping cover essential goods and services without the stress of high‑interest debt.
No Interest Loans are a smart option to help you manage your finances. Borrow for essentials such as appliances or furniture, to get your car back on the road, pay for education fees and equipment, or cover the cost of goods and services that support your wellbeing.
Services Include:
- Loans for essential items such as appliances, furniture, or technology
- Assistance to get your car back on the road
- Support with education fees, equipment, or study-related costs
- Help to cover the cost of goods and services that support your wellbeing
- Flexible, interest-free repayment plans tailored to your situation
The Moneysmart unclaimed money service helps Australians find and claim lost money from bank accounts, shares, and other financial assets.
Run by the Australian Government via ASIC, this free online service lets you search for unclaimed money that may belong to you, such as inactive bank accounts, lost shares, or life insurance payouts. If a match is found, it guides you through the process of proving ownership and claiming the funds, with no time limit to recover your money.
Services provided:
- Free search for unclaimed money records
- Access to lost funds from banks, shares, and insurance
- Guidance on how to make a claim
- Information on required proof of identity/ownership
- Referral to relevant institutions to process claims