Financial Vulnerability Guide
If you are experiencing, or have experienced financial abuse, this guide may help you.
Experiencing difficult and challenging circumstances?
Sometimes, life doesn't go as planned.
If you find yourself experiencing difficult or challenging circumstances, or you're struggling to get your finances back on track, visit our Financial Hardship section or call 1800 252 845 (9am-7pm AEST, Monday to Friday) for assistance.
Other services that are here to help
Alternatively, for free, independent advice, you can find your nearest Financial Counsellor by calling the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.
In addition, there are various other government and community services that might be able to support you, depeding on your needs.
Ways to get help
Australian Financial Security Authority
Useful information and statistics, as well as application forms for managing debts and insolvency in Australia.
www.afsa.gov.au
Department of Human Services
Helpful information about Federal Government initiatives such as Centrelink, Medicare, Child Care and Social Work Services.
Call 13 28 50 (multilingual 13 12 02)
www.humanservices.gov.au
National Debt Helpline
Financial Counselling Australia developed this site to provide practical steps, tools and other information to help get your finances back on track.
Call 1800 007 007
www.ndh.org.au
Community Legal Centres Australia
A directory of community legal centres in Australia.
www.clcs.org.au
Women’s legal services Australia
A network of legal centres specialising in women’s legal services.
www.wlsa.org.au
Appoint a representative (PDF 168kB)
If you would like to nominate someone to act on your behalf, please complete a Letter of Authority form and return via email to customerconnect@anz.com, or fax to 1800 010 057.
Lifeline
24-hour Crisis Support and Suicide Prevention Services.
Call 13 11 14 (open 24hrs a day, 7 days a week)
www.lifeline.org.au
1800 RESPECT
24-hour hotline that provides help for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
Call 1800 737 732 (open 24hrs a day, 7 days a week)
www.1800respect.org.au
Human Resources Department
If you are employed, contact your HR department to enquire about any family violence leave entitlements.
Family Violence Support
Information about Family Violence and Financial Abuse, including staying safe online and how ANZ can support customers
Family Relationship Advice Line
Information and advice on family relationship issues and parenting arrangements after separation.
Call 1800 050 321 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 10am-4pm)
Relationships Australia
Counselling services, mediation and family dispute resolution services.
Call 1800 364 277
Call anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call.
1800 RESPECT
24-hour hotline that provides help for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
Call 1800 737 732 (open 24hrs a day, 7 days a week)
www.1800respect.org.au
WIRE Women’s Information
Free Victorian women’s service providing information, referral and support via the Women’s Information Centre. Any woman. Any issue.
Call 1300 134 130 (weekdays 9:30am to 4:30pm)
www.wire.org.au
1800 RESPECT
24-hour hotline that provides help for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
Call 1800 737 732 (open 24hrs a day, 7 days a week)
www.1800respect.org.au
Women’s legal services Australia
Legal centres specialising in women’s legal services.
www.wlsa.org.au
MensLine Australia
MensLine Australia is an Australian government-funded telephone, video and online counselling service for men and boys. It provides a good starting point for those with family, relationship, emotional health, suicide and well-being concerns.
Call 1300 789 978 (24/7)
www.mensline.org.au
1800Respect: National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence
1800RESPECT is the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service that provides support for people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing sexual assault, domestic or family violence.
Counselling Line 1800 737 732 (24/7)
www.1800respect.org.au
headspace
headspace provides early intervention mental health and wellbeing services to 12-25 year olds. Information and services are available on their website for young people, their families and friends. headspace centres are located throughout Australia, and online counselling is also available.
www.headspace.org.au
ReachOut
ReachOut is an online mental health organisation for young people and their parents. ReachOut’s practical support, tools and tips can help young people get through everyday issues and tough times – and ReachOut offers parents information to assist them to help their teenagers too.
Counselling Line 1800 737 732 (24/7)
au.reachout.com
Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline is a confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Calls are free from mobiles and landlines, even if there is no credit on the phone.
Counselling Line 1800 551 800
www.kidshelpline.com.au
Parentline
Parentline offers confidential phone and WebChat counselling and support for parents and carers of children in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Counselling Line 1300 301 300 (24/7)
www.parentline.com.au
Relationships Australia
Relationships Australia offers a broad range of services to individuals, families and communities throughout the country. Core services such as counselling, mediation, and family dispute resolution (as well as associated early intervention and post-separation services) are funded by the Commonwealth Government and are available in each state and territory.
Counselling Line 1300 364 277 (24/7)
www.relationships.org.au
MoneyMinded
MoneyMinded was created to help you build your skills, knowledge and confidence in managing your money.
www.moneyminded.com.au
MoneySmart
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) runs this free service with easy-to-use tools to help you manage your money, plan, invest, or pay off debt.
www.moneysmart.gov.au
Doing it tough
The Australian Bankers' Association has put together this detailed site with helpful information about how all Australian banks approach financial hardship.
www.ausbanking.org.au/financial-assistance-hub/
National Debt Helpline
Financial Counselling Australia developed this site to provide practical steps, tools and other information to help get your finances back on track.
Call 1800 007 007
www.ndh.org.au
State Concessions in Australia
Victoria
www.victorianenergysaver.vic.gov.au
www.services.dhhs.vic.gov.au
New South Wales
www.service.nsw.gov.au
South Australia
www.dhs.sa.gov.au
Tasmania
www.concessions.tas.gov.au
Queensland
www.qld.gov.au
Western Australia
www.concessions.communities.wa.gov.au
Northern Territory
https://nt.gov.au/community/concessions-and-payments
Department of Human Services
Helpful information about Federal Government initiatives such as Centrelink, Medicare, Child Care.
Social Work Services 13 28 50 (multilingual 13 12 02)
www.humanservices.gov.au
Understand Insurance
Information to assist consumers and businesses to make well-informed decisions about their insurance needs.
www.understandinsurance.com.au
Australian Financial Security Authority
Useful information and statistics, plus forms on debts and insolvency in Australia.
www.afsa.gov.au
Assistance with Utility Bills
Speak to your electricity, gas and water providers as they may be able to assist you with payment arrangements if you are experiencing financial hardship.
Job Access
JobAccess is aimed at employers, service providers and people with disabilities and provides access to information that assists with employment.
www.jobaccess.gov.au
Contact your HR Department
If you are employed, contact your HR department to enquire about any family violence, leave entitlements or other support offered by your organisation.
Myfuture
Myfuture is an Australian career information and exploration service, which provides tips if you are facing redundancy or need help finding a job.
www.myfuture.edu.au
Rural Financial Counsellors - Department of Agriculture
If you're a farmer and experiencing drought or other rural issues, this Government Department offers handy business information, grants and support.
www.agriculture.gov.au
ATO Business Viability Assessment Tool
Use the ATO's business viability assessment tool to determine whether your business is viable.
www.ato.gov.au
Understand Insurance
Information to assist consumers and businesses to make well-informed decisions about their insurance needs.
understandinsurance.com.au
Small business help lines
The Australian Government has established the Small Business Support Line to provide one-on-one financial support.
Call 13 28 46
www.business.gov.au
Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Small Business Assist
The ATO's free online support hub for small business, which includes webinars, workshops, and other practical advice.
www.ato.gov.au
Gambling Help Online
Gambling Help Online is funded as part of an agreement between all State and Territory Governments, and the Australian Government. The service complements and increases the range of services available in responding to problem gambling issues. It provides Australians with a new opportunity to access counselling and information services when they are unable or reluctant to access face-to-face services available.
Call 1800 858 858 (24/7)
www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
Gamblers Anonymous
A fellowship of men and women who share their experiences, strength and hope with each other, and help others recover from a gambling problem. Gamblers Anonymous holds approximately 130 meetings every week across Australia.
www.gaaustralia.org.au
Triple Zero
The Triple Zero (000) service is the quickest way to get the right emergency service to help you. You can contact Police, Fire or Ambulance in life threatening or emergency situations.
Note: The only way of contacting Triple Zero (000) is with a voice call. You cannot SMS, email, instant message, video call or use social media to contact emergency services via Triple Zero. You can download an app from the site that, amongst other features, displays the GPS coordinates of the phone's location, which the caller can then provide to the emergency services operator.
Call 000
www.triplezero.gov.au
Suicide Call Back Service
Suicide Call Back Service is a nationwide service that provides professional 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people who are affected by suicide. This includes anyone who is feeling suicidal, is worried about or caring for someone who may be feeling suicidal, or is bereaved by suicide.
The Suicide Call Back Service provides immediate telephone crisis counselling and support and can schedule up to six telephone counselling sessions with the same counsellor, at a time that best suits your needs.
Call 1300 659 467
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Lifeline
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
People speaking languages other than English can ring the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask for Lifeline help. Similarly, persons who have hearing or speech impairment can request Lifeline support via their usual National Relay Service option. Lifeline also offers peer support forums (with SANE Australia), and an online Crisis Support Chat service with a counsellor, available 7pm – 12am (midnight), 7 days a week (AEST).
Call 13 11 14
www.lifeline.org.au
Head to Health
Head to Health provides information about and links to nearly 400 mental health services and resources funded by the Australian Government. These include websites, apps, online programs, forums, phone support, chat and email services. This is an excellent starting point for finding services. www.headtohealth.gov.au
Black Dog Institute
The Black Dog Institute aims to reduce the incidence of mental illness and the stigma around it, to actively reduce suicide rates and empower everyone to live the most mentally healthy lives possible.
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
MIND Australia
MIND provides information and practical support for people living with mental illness and their families and/ or carers, including NDIS provision, residential and community services, and peer and family online discussion forums. They also provide links to state branches and services.
Service Information 1300 286 463
Carer Helpline 1300 554 660
www.mindaustralia.org.au
Touchbase
Touchbase is an Australian government-funded service that provides information, support and services for LGBTI Australians, with useful links to state-based mental health, drug and alcohol and support services.
www.touchbase.org.au
Beyondblue
Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live. Available 24/7, the telephone support service provides information and advice from a mental health professional. An online chat service is also available between 3pm - 12am (midnight), 7 days a week (AEST) or you can email. A range of moderated, online forums are also available.
SANE
SANE Australia is a national mental health charity working to support four million Australians affected by complex mental illness. SANE’s work includes mental health awareness, online peer support and information, stigma reduction, specialist helpline support, research and advocacy.
Call 1800 187 263
www.sane.org
Griefline
Griefline is a loss and grief national telephone counselling service, providing free, anonymous support and specialist counselling services to individuals and families. Griefline is available over the phone between 12pm - 3pm, 7 days a week (AEST), and offers a 24/7 Online Counselling Service.
Call 03 9935 7400 (National & Melbourne)
Call 1300 845 745 (National Landline
www.griefline.org.au