Financial Resources

Money Smart

This is the governments free MoneySmart website for everything to do with money including managing your money, borrowing and credit, insurance, superannuation & retirement, investing, scams, life events and you, teaching and calculators & resources. Lots of information and resources to help you manage your finances. Check out their website at www.moneysmart.gov.au/

Financial Counselling Services

Financial Counselling Services are free, confidential and non-conflicted. A Financial Counsellor is a community worker who acts without a conflict of interest, as a negotiator and an advocate on behalf of people experiencing financial hardship or who are unable to manage their debts. Financial Counselling services are funded by state and federal governments and donations. Financial Counsellors are skilled professionals, bound by a Code of Ethical Practice to deliver the best outcomes for their clients. Check out their website at www.fcan.com.au

National Debt Helpline

If you’re having problems with debt, your starting point should be the National Debt Helpline who offer simple step-by-step guides explaining how to fix common debt problems. If you need more help, call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 to talk to a free phone financial counsellor from anywhere in Australia. Opening hours are 9.30am – 4.30pm. Or check out their website at their website at www.ndh.org.au

Cost of Living Service

The NSW Government has launched the Cost of Living Service to make it easier for customers to access more than 40 NSW Government rebates and savings in one place. Customers can also book a free one hour appointment at selected Service Centers if they wish to have face-to-face assistance to apply for these rebates and savings. The service is available at https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/cost-living

Rent Start

Interest-free bond loans, advance rent, tenancy assistance for those facing eviction and short term accomodation. To apply go to https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/factsheets/rentstart-bond-loan

Step Up Loan

StepUP is a low interest loan for people on low incomes who have difficulty accessing credit from a bank. You can borrow from $800 to $3,000, with up to three years to pay it back. There are no fees. Step Up is a not for profit initiative between Good Shepherd Microfinance and National Australia Bank who provides money for loans. Visit their site at http://www.stepuploan.org.au.

Essentials by AAI

Essentials by AAI is a car and contents insurance designed for people on low incomes who:

  • Have a health care car /pension card
  • Receive Centrelink payments
  • Have a household income of $48,000 or less

Essentials by AAI is available online at www.essentialsbyaai.com.au, or  telephone 1800 429 598

Good 2 Go Now

Good 2 Go Now is a buying service, run in partnership with The Good Guys, that gives you access to great prices on energy efficient white goods, computers and other household items. Good 2 Go now allows NILS to set up clients to save money and reduce their energy bills. The service is available at http://www.good2gonow.com.au/