For Investors & Individuals in Financial Stress
These services do not provide advice on FMPE or investment loss but help with:

• Managing cashflow during stress
• Planning next steps
• Understanding obligations and protections
• Reducing the emotional impact

Beyond Blue & Lifeline (Emotional & Stress Support)
Financial loss often triggers emotional distress.
Both provide national, 24/7 support:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

Useful adjunct supports for stressed investors.

National Debt Helpline (PRIMARY ASIC-ENDORSED SERVICE)

• Phone: 1800 007 007

What they offer:

• Free, confidential financial counselling
• Help negotiating with banks, credit providers, utilities
• Hardship arrangements & repayment planning
• Assessment of options (e.g., deferral, restructure, debt waiver)
• Referrals to legal support & community services

Financial Counselling Australia (FCA)
Peak body for financial counsellors.
Provides:
• Accredited counsellor directory
• Specialist support pathways
• Industry standards
ASIC references FCA as the professional network underpinning hardship support.

Small Business Debt Helpline

• Phone: 1800 413 828

Who it’s for:

• Sole traders
• Company directors
• Small business owners (including those with investments linked to business income)

Services:
• Free financial counselling
• Negotiations with lenders, ATO, landlords
• Guidance on insolvency, restructuring & hardship
 

Mob Strong Debt Help (Indigenous Victorians & Australians)
A culturally safe service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Supports with:

• Debt stress
• Hardship arrangements
• Credit & consumer issues
  Insurance disputes

Community Legal Centres (CLCs) – Financial & Consumer Law
Free legal advice for:

• Debt collection
• Bankruptcy options
• Consumer credit problems
• Loan/contract disputes
• Financial hardship arrangements
  (Often accessed via referral from National Debt Helpline.)

Legal Aid (State/Territory Based)
Free or low-cost legal advice, especially around:

• Financial disputes
• Enforcement actions
• Insolvency
• Consumer credit matters

The Salvation Army – Moneycare
One of the largest financial counselling services in Australia.
Supports with:

• Budgeting
• Hardship planning
• Advocacy with lenders & creditors
• Long-term financial wellbeing coaching

 

UnitingCare & Anglicare (National Network)
Free community support services offering:

• Financial counselling
• Emergency relief
• Utility bill help
• Food & essentials support
• Crisis assistance

Services Australia – Financial Information Service (FIS)
Provides information, not counselling.
Helps individuals understand:

• Financial impacts of hardship
• Payment eligibility
• Investment and super considerations
• Options when income changes