Financial Assistance

Borrow up to $2000 for essential goods and services with no fees, no interest, ever.  You pay back only what you borrow and nothing more.

Visit Good Shepherd

Charities and community organisations have emergency relief services to help you with things like:

• food vouchers or food parcels
• transport vouchers
• chemist vouchers
• clothing or furniture
• part-payment of utility bills
• help with back-to-school costs

Contact your nearest:

• Salvation Army  13 72 58
• Anglicare 111111
• St Vincent de Paul Society 13 18 12
• local community centre, church or community organisation

For a full list of emergency relief services, see the Department of Social Service Grant Services Directory or Ask Izzy.

Centrelink

Centrelink provides a payment to people eligible for income support.

Call 132 850, 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

Crisis Payment

You may be able to get a payment if you’re in severe financial hardship following extreme circumstances. After a natural disaster, for example.

The Services Australia website has more information about crisis payments.

Advance Payment

If you already get a Centrelink payment, you may be able to get an advance payment. This is money you would be getting from your existing payment but it’s paid early. It’s not an extra payment.

If you’re going through a personal crisis, help is available. Contact one of these free and confidential services.

Crisis support

Lifeline
Tel: 13 11 14
24 hours
Lifeline’s crisis support online chat

Depression or anxiety

Beyond Blue
Tel: 1300 22 46 36
24 hours
Beyond Blue’s web chat (3pm to 12am)

Sexual assault, domestic or family violence counselling

1800RESPECT
Tel: 1800 737 732
24 hours

Alcohol or other drug use

Family Drug Support Australia
Tel: 1300 368 186
24 hours

Gambling

Gambling Help Online
National Gambling Helpline
Tel: 1800 858 858
24 hours

If you’re homeless or in a housing crisis, your state or territory government can help.

They provide temporary emergency accommodation in places like low-cost hotels, motels and caravan parks. They may also be able to help with a rental bond.

Contact your state or territory housing department to see if you’re eligible.