Free debt help in Australia: National Debt Helpline, legal help and official sources

The first call for anyone struggling with debt in Australia should be the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 (ndh.org.au), which connects you with a free, independent financial counsellor in your state or territory. Financial counsellors can check whether debts are owed, negotiate hardship arrangements and payment plans, ask creditors to waive debts, and explain debt agreements and bankruptcy without earning anything from your choice. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can call Mob Strong Debt Help on 1800 808 488 for free legal advice and financial counselling. For the formal options, the official source is the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA); for complaints it is AFCA. The directory below lists each service and what to use it for.

This guide is part of debt help mistakes to avoid.

Free help directory

Service	Contact	Use it for
National Debt Helpline	1800 007 007, ndh.org.au	Free financial counselling, sample letters, live chat
Mob Strong Debt Help	1800 808 488	Free legal advice and financial counselling for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Legal Aid (your state or territory)	Via your state Legal Aid commission	Legal advice on debts, court action, bankruptcy notices
Community legal centres	Via Community Legal Centres Australia	Free legal help, often including consumer credit
Lifeline	13 11 14	Crisis support if debt is affecting your mental health
Small business debt helpline	Via the National Debt Helpline or your state small business commissioner	Sole traders and small business owners

Official sources and what each one covers

Body	Website	Covers
Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA)	afsa.gov.au	Debt agreements, personal insolvency agreements, bankruptcy, indexed amounts, the NPII, registered administrators and trustees
ASIC and Moneysmart	asic.gov.au, moneysmart.gov.au	Credit licensing, debt management firms, consumer credit rules, hardship guidance
Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)	afca.org.au, 1800 931 678	Free external complaints about lenders, many collectors and licensed debt firms
ACCC	accc.gov.au	Debt collection guideline (with ASIC), consumer law
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)	oaic.gov.au	Credit reporting rules and complaints
Services Australia	servicesaustralia.gov.au	Centrelink debts and repayment arrangements
Australian Taxation Office	ato.gov.au	Tax debt payment plans
Federal Register of Legislation	legislation.gov.au	Current text of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 and the National Credit Code

What a financial counsellor will do

Listen and triage: what is urgent — eviction, disconnection, court papers, a bankruptcy notice.
Build a budget with you.
Check each debt: is it owed, is the amount right, is it statute-barred, was it lent irresponsibly?
Negotiate hardship arrangements, payment plans or waivers.
Explain formal options — debt agreement, Part X, bankruptcy — and their consequences.
Refer you to legal help, emotional support or emergency relief when needed.

Financial counsellors are not paid by creditors or debt firms. If anyone charges you for "financial counselling", check who they are; see warning signs of dodgy debt firms.

Preparing for your first call

List debts: creditor, balance, account number, secured or unsecured.
Gather letters, especially default notices, court documents or a bankruptcy notice.
Have income details: payslips or Centrelink statements.
Note your essential monthly costs.
Write down what worries you most.

Waiting times can be long at busy periods. If you have a deadline, such as a bankruptcy notice, say so at the start of the call, and also contact Legal Aid or a community legal centre.

Centrelink debts in brief

A Centrelink debt is usually an overpayment that Services Australia says you must repay. Key points:

You can ask for an explanation and a review if you think the debt is wrong. Reviews go first to Services Australia and then to the Administrative Review Tribunal.
You can usually arrange affordable repayments, including deductions from ongoing payments, and ask for a pause in some circumstances.
Waiver is possible in limited situations defined in social security law.
In bankruptcy, whether a Centrelink debt is released depends on how it arose; debts arising from fraud are not released. Get advice before relying on bankruptcy to deal with a Centrelink debt.

Centrelink debts are outside the National Credit Code, so s 72 hardship rights and AFCA do not apply. See how bankruptcy works for other debts that are not released.

Free help versus paid help

	Free financial counsellor	Paid debt firm	Registered trustee or administrator
Cost	Free	Fees, often taken from payments	Fees from the administration
Independent of outcome	Yes	Often paid only if you sign up	Paid to run the option you choose
Can negotiate informally	Yes	Some	Not usually their role
Regulator	Funded community sector; professional standards	ASIC credit licence	AFSA registration

Frequently asked questions

Is the National Debt Helpline a government service?

It is a not-for-profit service run by financial counselling organisations and funded in part by governments. It is free and does not sell products.

Can a financial counsellor stop a creditor taking me to court?

Not always, but they can negotiate, help you respond, and connect you with legal help. Courts and creditors often respond better when a counsellor is involved.

Do I need a lawyer to go bankrupt?

No. You can apply through AFSA yourself. A lawyer or counsellor is useful if you own property, have a business or face a creditor's petition.

Sources

National Debt Helpline — free financial counselling, 1800 007 007
Mob Strong Debt Help — 1800 808 488
Australian Financial Security Authority — formal debt options
Australian Financial Complaints Authority — complaints, 1800 931 678
Services Australia — Centrelink debts
Lifeline — 13 11 14