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Manage debt
If you have debts to repay, it can be difficult to know where to begin. You can start by making a plan. Following these 4 steps could help make a big difference.
Step 1 - Identify and sort your debts
When working out your debts, include any credit card, loan repayments, unpaid bills, fines and any other money you owe. Then sort your debts in order of importance by identifying all of the following:
- who you owe money to
- how much you owe
- due date for repayment
- the minimum monthly repayment, if any
- the interest rates you’re paying.
Step 2 - Work out your expenses
When working out your expenses, include whether they’re weekly, monthly or yearly, as well as any recurring debits you may have setup.
Knowing what you spend your money on, may help you work out where you can spend less. This can help while you’re paying off your debts.
Step 3 - Think about if it is a need or a want
Once you know your debts and expenses, think about what you need and which extras you can do without.
Read about how to budget.
Step 4 - Take action and ask for help
Make sure you work out a plan to repay your debts. Ask for help as soon as you think you’ll have problems meeting these repayments.
Free assistance and advice
It’s worth getting free assistance or advice to help with your finances if you’re having problems.
Find a financial counsellor
The National Debt Helpline provides a free, confidential and independent service.
You can find a financial counsellor on the National Debt Helpline website.
They can suggest ways to:
- improve your financial situation
- negotiate repayment options
- get help from other services for gambling, personal counselling or community legal aid.
They can also provide advice about:
- repaying debts
- debt collectors or debt recovery through the courts
- house eviction
- electricity or phone disconnection
- uninsured car accidents
- tax debts
- unpaid fines.
Hardship teams
Many businesses, like banks and electricity and other service providers, have hardship teams. They may be able to delay, reduce or waive debt repayments depending on your situation.
Paying your energy bill
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has made a commitment to protect customers worried about paying their energy bills. The AER encourages energy providers to continue to work with their customers who are in financial stress. It also helps them manage their debt and stay connected.
Contact your energy provider to find out what help is available. You can also ask your financial counsellor to talk to hardship teams for you. They often get better results if they negotiate for you.
Support for farmers and rural businesses
Rural Financial Counselling Services support farmers, small rural businesses, fishing enterprises and forest growers or harvesters who suffer financial hardship.
Find a Rural Financial Counselling Service on the National Emergency Management Agency website.
Legal help
You may get a court order, summons, statement of claim or liquidation claim about a debt. Legal notices are serious. Don’t ignore a notice or you may get a bad credit score. The Moneysmart website details what credit scores are and how they affect you.
Read where you can get free legal advice on the Moneysmart website.
Other help
Our social workers can help you if you’re going through a difficult time. You may want to get counselling, help and emotional support.
Alternatively, our Financial Information Service Officers can help you make informed decisions about your finances.
Read more about how to manage your money.
Manage a Centrelink debt
If you owe us money, there are options to help you repay a Centrelink debt.
You can also avoid getting a Centrelink debt by keeping us up to date. Tell us when there are changes to your situation. Use our online guide to update your address, accommodation and contact details using your Centrelink online account.
If you run into problems with debt, the National Debt Helpline has a free, confidential and independent financial counselling service.
The Moneysmart website gives practical advice about managing debt. Read about:
- what to do when you have problems paying your mortgage
- how to deal with debt collectors.
Get help with an overdrawn bank account
If you have overdrawn your bank account, the Code of Operation may protect you. It can stop you from having to pay too much back at one time from your Centrelink payments.