National network across non-profits, community centres & government agencies – city & rural areas
Specialising in finance, consumer credit laws, hardship policies, government assistance and more.
Family Support – Gambling Help – Legal Help – Personal Counselling
Financial counsellors provide a range of services to those dealing with financial difficulties. Their services are free and confidential – offering information and advice to help you understand your options and develop plans so that you can reduce debt and/or manage on your income.
True financial counselling is independent from creditors and lenders i.e. providers may be charity organisations, certain government departments and some community centres.
Counsellors are trained to review your financial position and deliver practical information that’s relevant to your needs. Benefits include:
There are limits to what a financial counsellor can provide.
To help with the accuracy and speed of assistance, below are a few things to consider:
By having information ready to go, the process can be quicker. Eliminating the back and forth which can cost time.
There are numerous ways to find a counsellor:
Any of the above sources should be able to point you in the right direction, even if they don’t have an office in your immediate area.
Financial Counselling is a free service. Please visit our “Accessing Financial Counselling” section to find a counsellor near you.
If you are facing unmanageable debt and are unable to get in control of your finance, a Financial Counsellor is a good option.
They can assist with the following situations:
Generally Financial Counsellors help people struggling with debt. Financial Planners typically help people with investment advice.
Financial Counsellors provide free financial assistance with those struggling with unmanageable debt. They also have the ability to directly help or connect people to other service such as:
Below are some statistics on the outcomes of Free Financial Counselling.
– 66% resolve their financial difficulties
– 74% avoid legal action
– 53% avoid bankruptcy
– 63% improve their mental wellbeing
– 45% improve their physical health
– Cost-Benefit: $5 return for every $1 invested
Source: Financial Counselling Australia
