Formal tax or legal adviceFinancial planning or wealth growth adviceEmergency relief payments for debts such as rent arrears, medical bills or other ‘cash’ requests

Financial Inclusion

In this section

Need to talk it through?

Our team can answer questions confidentially.

Financial Counselling

Free, confidential support to help you take back control of your finances

Our qualified financial counsellors provide free, independent and confidential support to help you navigate financial difficulties. We work alongside you to understand your situation, explain your rights and options, advocate on your behalf, negotiate with creditors and service providers, and support you to achieve the best possible outcome.

What to expect

Call to apply

Call to book. This service runs by appointment and phone only. Call (02) 9789 3744 to get started

Attend your first session

Your first appointment is usually face to face, with phone appointments available after that. We'll send you a reminder beforehand asking you to bring anything relevant, like bills or letters from financial institutions.

Work through your options together

We'll talk through what's going on, discuss your best options for managing your debts and, if necessary, and with your consent, advocate on your behalf with banks, creditors or utility provider

Who is eligible

Our Financial Counselling service is available to people experiencing financial hardship, including those needing support with

Managing debt and repayments
Mortgage stress
Utility bills Budgeting and managing day-to-day finances
Credit cards, personal loans and buy now, pay later debt
Small business financial difficulties

The service is best suited to people who live in the following local government areas:

Bayside
Burwood
Canada Bay
Canterbury-Bankstown
Georges River
Inner West
Strathfield

Related programs

Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA)

Support with energy bills during a financial crisis.

No Interest Loans (NILS)

Loans of up to $2,000 for essential goods and services, with no interest or fees.

About our Financial Counselling service

Money stress has a way of following you everywhere, whether it's a stack of bills you can't see a way through, a debt that keeps growing, or a bank account that never quite stretches far enough. It's a heavy thing to carry, and you don't have to work through it alone.

Our financial counselors work alongside people experiencing financial hardship of any kind, whether that's gambling related debt, struggling with everyday bills, or trying to keep up with rent or mortgage repayments. There's no single situation we're looking for. If money is the problem, we're here to help you work through it.

What this looks like in practice

Every situation is different, so the support we provide depends on what you're dealing with. That might mean working on a budget, helping you put together a financial position to present to a bank or lender, working out a payment plan for a debt, or simply talking through your options so you can make an informed decision about what to do next.

If you find talking to creditors stressful, with your consent, we can also advocate on your behalf. That means speaking with your creditors, banks or utility providers to negotiate on your behalf.

We're financial counsellors, not financial advisers

Our team can't provide formal financial, tax or legal advice. We're not financial planners either, and we don't help you grow your wealth. What we do is help you understand the options when you are experiencing financial hardship and support you to act on them.

Support that understands the pressure you're under

Our financial counsellors hold a Diploma in Financial Counselling and are registered with the Financial Counsellors' Association of NSW (FCAN). Financial Counselling is supported by the Department of Social Services and the Department of Fair Trading.

What this looks like in practice

If you find talking to creditors stressful, with your consent, we can also advocate on your behalf. That means speaking with your creditors, banks or utility providers to negotiate on your behalf.

We're financial counsellors, not financial advisers

Our team can't provide formal financial, tax or legal advice. We're not financial planners either, and we don't help you grow your wealth. What we do is help you understand the options when you are experiencing financial hardship and support you to act on them.

Support that understands the pressure you're under

Our financial counsellors hold a Diploma in Financial Counselling and are registered with the Financial Counsellors' Association of NSW (FCAN). Financial Counselling is supported by the Department of Social Services and the Department of Fair Trading.

Get in touch

Financial Counselling is a phone and appointment only service. Call (02) 9789 3744 to book.

For general enquiries, visit our main Contact page.

Frequently asked questions

What we don't cover

Formal tax or legal advice
Financial planning or wealth growth advice
Emergency relief payments for debts such as rent arrears, medical bills or other ‘cash’ requests

Is this service free?

Yes. Financial counselling is a free and confidential service.

What's the difference between a financial counsellor and a financial planner?

A financial counsellor helps with financial crises, managing debt and budgeting, and it’s a free service. A financial planner charges a fee to help you grow your wealth.

Can you negotiate with my bank or utility company on my behalf?

Yes. With your consent, we can talk to your creditors

Can you give me legal or tax advice?

No, we can’t provide formal legal or tax advice, but we can refer you to Legal Aid.

Do I have to live in a certain area to access this service?

We’re funded to support Burwood, Bayside, Canada Bay, Canterbury Bankstown, Georges River, Inner West and Strathfield. If you’re outside these areas, please still get in touch. We may be able to see you depending on availability.

Resources

National Debt Helpline

Financial Counsellors' Association of NSW (FCAN)

Legal Aid NSW