Financial Counselling

If you’re struggling with your finances, a Financial Counsellor can help you get back on track  

Financial Counsellors provide free and independent support to people in financial difficulty.

They can help you manage your bills and debts, and get your finances back under control.

A Financial Counsellor can:

• Assess your financial situation.
• Help you understand which debts are priorities.
• Explain your options for managing your debts, and help you understand the pros and cons of each option.
• Assist you to negotiate with your creditors and set up repayment plans.
• Provide advice if you’re being harassed by debt collectors.
• Work with you to put together a budget, to help you stay on top of your bills going forward.
• Help you understand your rights and responsibilities, and the rights and obligations of creditors.
• Assist you to access dispute resolution schemes.
• Provide information about other support services, including emergency relief, legal aid and gambling support.

You can read more here: What is Financial Counselling?

Financial Counselling at the University of Newcastle:

You can speak confidentially to a Financial Counsellor in our Student Wellbeing team. Appointments are available at Callaghan campus, or via phone or zoom.

• To make an appointment:
  • Email: financialwellbeing@newcastle.edu.au
  • Phone: 02 4921 6059.

Financial Counselling support in the community:

• Find a Financial Counsellor in your local area.

• National Debt Helpline (ndh.org.au)
  • Phone: 1800 007 007 weekdays 9.30am - 4.30pm
  • Live Chat: weekdays 9am - 8pm.  Go to website and click chat icon in bottom right corner of screen.
• Mob Strong Debt Helpline
  • Free legal advice and financial counselling support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
  • Phone: 1800 808 488

Family and Domestic Violence (FDV):

There are specialist financial counselling services across Australia that can help people who have experienced FDV to take steps to protect their financial safety and deal with financial hardship. Call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 and ask to be referred to your closest service.