Making sure things
at home are OK
‘A couple of years ago, I ended up on the wrong side of the law, made some pretty bad decisions and lost almost everything. The debt was piling up and I ended up having to live in my car whilst struggling to deal with legal issues, losing my job and fighting to see my kids. Asking for emergency relief was hard but they were amazing and not only helped me get some food, but they linked me in with legal and financial help. Once I didn’t feel like I was in crisis mode all the time, I was able to look for a job and get back on track’
Frank, 52
What is financial counselling?
Financial counsellors are qualified professionals who support people experiencing financial difficulty by providing free, confidential, and non-judgmental advice and advocacy. Unlike financial planners or advisers, who assist people with investments, financial counsellors work with individuals who are in debt or struggling to meet everyday expenses. They are based in community organisations across Australia, from large charities to local government agencies and neighbourhood centres.
Financial counsellors can help you:
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Understand which debts are most urgent
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Create budgets and money management plans
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Explore options for managing debt and financial stress
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Access grants, concessions, and emergency relief
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Negotiate with creditors
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Use dispute resolution services
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Understand your legal rights and connect with legal support
They are trained in credit, debt, and bankruptcy laws, as well as hardship practices, and provide not only practical advice but also emotional support when it’s needed most.
Financial Assistance & Counselling
National Debt Helpline
1800 007 007
The National Debt Helpline is a not-for-profit service that helps people tackle their debt problems. We’re not a lender and we don’t ‘sell’ anything or make money from you. Professional financial counsellors offer a free, independent and confidential service.
Vinnies WA
1300 794 054
Offering person centred care for people who are vulnerable and disadvantaged across WA. Services include emergency assistance, debt and financial counselling, housing and homelessness services, Passages Youth Engagement Hub and mental health services.
Energy Ahead Financial Wellbeing Collective
08 62 533 500
Helping you take control of your energy use and bills through free energy coaching and workshops.
Consumer Credit Legal Service CCLS
08 92 217 066
CCLS provides free, confidential legal advice on credit, debt and consumer law issues through our Telephone Advice Line and ongoing legal representation to people experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage.
Australian Financial Complaints Authority
1800 931 678
Provides consumers and small businesses with fair, free and independent dispute resolution for financial complaints.
WA Rent Relief Scheme
1800 979 777
The WA Rent Relief Program is an initiative that aims to keep Western Australians with private tenancies in their homes. The WA Rent Relief Program offers a single payment of up to $5,000 per household, supporting private tenants to continue their tenancy.
Money Mentors Financial Counselling
Communicare Financial Counselling
08 92 515 777
Free confidential counselling for young people aged 5 to 25yrs
Mission Australia Financial Counselling
Centrecare Financial Counselling
St Pats Financial Counselling
MercyCare Financial Counselling
1800 800 046
Did you know?
More than 2.5 million Australians (13% of the population) live in households of high financial stress. Financial counsellors help 125,000 people per year face to face.
Source: Financial Counselling Australia www.financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au
What is emergency relief and housing support?
Emergency relief provides immediate support to individuals and families experiencing financial crisis or hardship. This may include material or financial aid such as food parcels, clothing, or vouchers. Support is offered in a respectful and dignified way, promoting self-reliance while addressing urgent needs. In addition to practical assistance, we connect people with community services that can help them manage the underlying issues affecting their financial wellbeing.
How do I access emergency relief?
The first step to accessing support is giving one of the services a call to explain your situation. They will chat to you about your eligibility and what support is available to you.
What is housing support?
Housing support services provide assistance to individuals and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, helping them find and maintain stable accommodation. These services offer a range of support, including finding suitable housing, accessing financial assistance, and developing the skills needed to manage a tenancy.
To learn more about the supports available to individuals and families across WA you can contact Entrypoint Perth. Entrypoint Perth is a free and voluntary assessment and referral service assisting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Western Australia to access accommodation and support options.
1800 124 684
www.entrypointperth.com.au
Its not easy acknowledging that you might need emergency relief, but remember, these services are here to support you when times are tough. Its ok to ask for help and you are not alone.
Emergency Relief
Doorways Emergency Relief
Uniting WA
08 92 201 255
Call Mondays at 8:30am to make an appointment for counselling a week in advance.
Emergency Relief Assistance and Support
08 92 201 255
If you live in Perth Metro, call 9220 1255 at 11am from Tuesday to Friday.
www.unitingwa.org.au/services/financial-wellbeing/emergency-relief
Vinnies Emergency Relief and Support
AnglicareWA Emergency Relief and Support
1300 11 44 46
Emergency relief, Food access, Nil interest loans and clothing.
Communicare Emergency Relief and Support
Mission Australia Emergency Relief and Support
Centrecare Emergency Relief and Support
08 93 256 644
MercyCare Emergency Relief and Support
1800 800 046
St Pats Emergency Relief and Support
Foodbank
08 92 589 277
Offering food and grocery relief to front-line charities and people in need.
‘I used to tell my mates I was busy when they would ask me out on the weekend. I was too ashamed to tell them that I couldn’t afford to buy food let alone go out. The first time I got a food hamper was really tough emotionally, I felt like a failure. But after I took that first step, it became easier to ask for help again. Now I no longer need to get the hampers and I am pretty stoked with how far I have come.’
– Raj 42
Housing Support
Entrypoint Perth
1800 124 684
Free and voluntary assessment and referral service assisting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Western Australia to access accommodation and support options.
Centercare Housing Support Services
08 93 256 644
Accommodation support services across Perth Metro Region including homelessness support services
www.centrecare.com.au/metro-services/accommodation-and-support-services-metro
Salvation Army - The Beacon
08 94 927 100
102 bed accommodation facility for those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Anglicare House and Homelessness Support
Working with people experiencing housing issues, homelessness or at risk of homelessness providing support to seek stable housing arrangements, and connect with emergency relief options or financial counselling support.
St Patrick’ s Community Support Centre
08 63 724 800
Offering housing support, emergency relief, food and meals and health and wellbeing services etc.
Youth Place
Youth Place program assists young people aged 15 to 25 who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness.
Ebenezer Home
08 92 471 330
Aboriginal Community Controlled, Christian, non-profit organisation providing supported accommodation for homeless youth, Aboriginal employment, in-home parenting support and FDV support.
Vinnies WA
1300 794 054
Offering person centred care for people who are vulnerable and disadvantaged across WA. Services include emergency assistance, debt and financial counselling, housing and homelessness services, Passages Youth Engagement Hub and mental health services.
According to the 2021 Census, 56% of people experiencing homelessness in Australia are male – equating to 68,516 men out of a total homeless population of 122,494. The highest number of people experiencing homelessness falls within the 25–34 age group.
Legal Supports
Legal Aid WA InfoLine
Community Legal Centres
Offering free or low cost legal help to people in need across 26 services in WA.
Citizen’s Advice Bureau of WA
08 92 215 711
Offering information and referrals, legal support and mediation for people across WA.
Family Relationship Advice Line
1800 050 321
Helps families affected by relationship or separation issues, including information on parenting arrangements after separation.
Men’s Legal Service
1800 463 675
This law firm provides legal services to men in the area of family law. They offer a range of services to assist men with family law matters such as divorce, child custody, child support, and property settlements. Their services include legal advice, representation in court, negotiation, and mediation.
Law Access
www.lawaccess.org.au
Law Access WA provides a range of legal information, and services related to family law in Western Australia.
Father’s Rights
1300 327 284
This is a non-profit organisation that provides support and advocacy for fathers who are experiencing family law issues.
Relationships Australia WA
1300 364 277
Relationships Australia WA is a non-profit organization providing family law and mediation services to individuals, couples, and families. They offer family dispute resolution services to help families resolve conflicts related to separation, divorce, child custody, and parenting arrangements. Their aim is to help families navigate the complexities of family law and reduce the emotional and financial costs of separation and divorce.
Aboriginal Legal Service WA
1800 019 900
ALSWA provides legal support and representation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in WA in Civil and Human Rights Law, Criminal Law, Family Law and Child protection with additional services in Bail Support Service and Prison In-Reach Program, Community Legal Education, Custody Notification Service, Work development Permit Service, Your Story Disability Legal Support and Youth Engagement Program.
General Court Intervention Program (GCIP)
The General Court Intervention Program (GCIP) is a pilot program led by the Department of Justice, in partnership with Connect Wanju, based at Perth Magistrates Court. The program focusses on providing people on Bail with needs based support through case management and priority access to community services.
www.magistratescourt.wa.gov.au/G/general_court_intervention_program.aspx
Hassles with money and legal matters can be a lot easier to manage if you know where to go for advice and assistance.
“It got so bad I didn’t check the post box, just in case there was another solicitor’s letter. It was good to get some free legal advice on where I stood, on my property settlement and kids’ custody stuff.’
– Jason, 41
If you are in an emergency, or at risk of harm to yourself or others, please contact emergency services on 000.
PO Box 551, Wembley WA 6913 | Phone: 0499 076 925
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