If you are experiencing financial difficulty, your first point of contact is Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) who will provide you with relevant information and advice based on your circumstance and may also refer you to a financial counselling service in your area.
How a financial counsellor can help
If you are struggling to meet the costs of daily living, a financial counsellor can:
- explain your financial options and the potential consequences if you can’t pay bills, fines or other debts
- help you work out a budget and payment strategies
- support you by negotiating with your creditors (those you owe money)
- tell you about other useful government services or benefits, like bond assistance, rent or mortgage relief, or concessions for household bills
- provide information about your legal rights and options, such as bankruptcy
- show you possible ways to recover fines and costs or overcome legal action to repossess your assets
- refer you to other organisations that can help.
To find out if a financial counsellor can help you, telephone the Consumer Affairs Victoria helpline on 1300 55 81 81.