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
Support Act operates a free and confidential helpline service available 24/7. This service is available to anyone working in the Australian music or performing arts industry who needs to talk about their mental health.
This service provides crisis relief to artists, crew and music workers who are doing it tough. You can get help by applying for financial support if you are in crisis as a result of ill health, injury, a mental health issue, or some other crisis that impacts on your ability to work in music or performing arts industry.
For more information visit the website or call the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline on the number below
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
Unclaimed money is money from lost bank accounts, shares, investments and life insurance policies. This money becomes lost when you move house and forget to update your details with a financial institution or company.
This money is available to be claimed at any time by the rightful owner and there is no time limit on claims.
- Bank accounts become unclaimed after 7 years if the account is inactive (no deposits or withdrawals).
- Life insurance policies become unclaimed 7 years after the policy matures and is not claimed.
The unclaimed money search is a simple system to use. Enter your name and see the results in a few seconds. There is no cost associated by using this government service but be aware that there are private, advertised companies who will use this free system and charge you a fee for looking on your behalf.
If you have changed jobs several times over the years you may have superannuation associated in different super funds that are considered inactive. You can identify unclaimed super by linking your myGov account to the ATO and follow the instructions. It is not as simple as searching for unclaimed money but worthwhile as these amounts may be consolidated with your current fund.
The USASA Financial Counsellor can help you manage your money and assist in making the pieces of the puzzle fit.
If you are dealing with financial stress related to issues such as debt, rent, utility costs and budgeting problems a USASA financial counsellor may be able to help you. A financial counsellor can help identify your options and give you the information you need to support you through managing any debt.
What can a USASA Financial Counsellor assist you with:
- Developing a budget to help manage your finances.
- Dealing with bad financial standing with the University.
- Accessing emergency food support.
- Applying for the grant support program.
- Can help point you in the right direction to access further financial support and assistance.
If your issue is not listed here, a Financial Counsellor may still be able to assist.
Way Forward provide free assistance to people in financial hardship, but who still have income, by helping them to get out of debt faster.
They have a dedicated team that provides free debt advice and free financial support to help you deal with your debt and set up a solution. Their hardship advocates have extensive experience handling creditors, negotiating better outcomes and providing debt relief for their clients.
Services Include:
- Establishing a workable budget
- Advocating for affordable arrangements with creditors, which means no more stressful conversations with debt collectors
- Helping with debt repayments, so you can make one regular payment to them, which they then distribute to your creditors.
There are no hidden fees - 100% free of charge.
WhistleOut is an online platform that helps consumers make informed decisions about telecommunications and technology services.
It provides comprehensive comparisons, expert reviews, and easy-to-follow guides, empowering users to find the best deals available.
Services include:
- Finding the best deals on mobile plans, internet packages, streaming services, health insurance, and more
- Offering unbiased recommendations to help users choose with confidence
Money is something we all have to manage and we all have to look after our own costs for housing, food, medicine and transport. These are expenses we juggle everyday and we should make good decisions about them.
You're the Boss is all about giving you the skills you need to budget.
You're the Boss: Money Wisdom for Life - is a free downloadable step by step guidebook to walk you through important money considerations and conversations.
Be the Boss - is a free, 3 week online course with a series of short videos to help with some great money tips, get help to sort out your bills and take control of your money.
You can access Money Wisdom for Life and Be the Boss via the attached website.