External support services
When you need some extra support and care, there are government and community services that may be able to support you.
Updated on
December 11, 2025
2
minute read
Financial hardship
- National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007
Offers independent free and confidential services from professional financial counsellors to help you tackle your debt problems. - Way Forward 1300 045 502
A not-for-profit organisation that helps people facing long-term financial hardship manage their debts and debt negotiation where you have debts at multiple lenders.
Domestic and family violence
- 1800Respect 1800 737 732
24 hour confidential telephone and online counselling support. - Mensline 1300 789 978
24 hour confidential telephone and online counselling support for men. - QLife (LGBTQI+) 1800 184 527
Telephone and online counselling service for LGBTI individuals impacted by domestic and family violence. - No to Violence (Men’s Referral Service) 1300 766 491
Confidential counselling service for male perpetrators of violence wanting to address and change their behaviours. - Good Shepherd 1300 050 150 (weekdays 9am - 5pm AEST) or email FIH@goodshep.org.au
Through the Financial Independence Hub, Good Shepherd helps people who have previously experienced financial abuse in their journey to long-term financial recovery - regardless of who they bank with. The service provides free specialist one-on-one financial coaching to help people impacted build confidence and capability in managing their own finances, with referrals to support services and, where appropriate, access to financial solutions like interest-free loans.
Older Australians
- Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission 1800 951 822
Provides a free service for anyone to raise their concerns about the quality of care or services being delivered to people receiving aged-care services subsidised by the government.
- Council on the Ageing (COTA) (02) 6154 9740
COTA can connect older people to different support services
- National Seniors Australia 1300 765 050
Connects Seniors to different support services.
- Better Place Australia 1800 639 523
Supports older people in resolving conflict and preventing elder abuse. Provides a range of mediation and counselling services for families, as well as financial counselling.
Elder abuse & Guardianships
You can access elder abuse information and support, as well as Guardianship information and applications, in your state:
- NSW: NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) 1300 006 228 has information on Guardianships, financial management and how to appoint a financial manager if you or a loved one is incapable of making their own decisions about their finances.
- VIC: Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) 1300 309 337 has information on Guardians and administrators and how to appoint one.
- QLD: Office of Public Guardian (OPG) 1300 653 187 has information on elderly abuse as well as Guardianship and decision-making if you or a loved one has lost capacity to make decisions.
- SA: South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) 1800 723 767 has information on Guardianship, including how to apply and how to resolve a related issue.
- NT: Darwin Community Legal Service has an Elder Abuse Information Line – 1800 037 072.
- WA: Western Australia Elder Abuse Helpline 1300 724 679 (freecall 1800 655 566), or email rights@advocare.org.au
- ACT: Older Persons ACT Legal Service (OPALS) (02) 6243 3436, or email opals@legalaidact.gov.au
- TAS: Elder Abuse Helpline 1800 441 169 (9am-5pm), or text 0457 806 963, or email helpline@yoursaytas.org
Family and relationships
- Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
Provides counselling and family dispute resolution (mediation) to broken families.
- 1800Respect 1800 737 732
24 hour confidential telephone and online counselling.
- Carers Advisory Service (Carers Australia) 1800 242 636
Connects carers with support services and provides short-term counselling.
- Carer Gateway 1800 422 737
Online and phone service that provides information to carers. Gateway also provides home modification services.
- Rainbow Families Australia 0481 565 958
Provides support for LGBTQI families.
Mental health
- Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
24 hour counselling for those experiencing poor mental health such as anxiety or depression.
- MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78
A telephone counselling service available 24/7 for men with relationship or family concerns.
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Online counselling for kids and young teenagers.
Government and legal services
- National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC)
Independent community legal centres that provide free and accessible legal and related services to everyone. You can find state-based NACLC links on their website.
- ASIC - Money Smart 1300 300 630
Providing you with tools to help you manage your money, plan, invest, or pay off debt.
- Department of Human Services 13 28 50 (multilingual 13 12 02)
Information on Government initiatives and payments such as Centrelink, Medicare, Child Care.
- Senior Rights Service 1800 424 079
Protects the rights of older people. Provides telephone advice, advocacy, legal advice and educational services
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS) 1800 800 110
A government scheme to ensure that people with a disability have the support they need. - Government financial information services
A free service that can inform and educate you about financial matters.
- Government crisis payment
A one-off payment if you’ve experienced an extreme circumstance and are in severe financial hardship.
Multicultural
- Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS) (02) 8355 7227
Information and advice about refugee law and processes.
- Australian Red Cross 1800 811 700
Australian Red Cross provides information about advocacy, relief and support services for vulnerable people in need and helps to connect migrants with essential support services.
Bereavement
- Australian Centre for Grief 03 9265 2100
Links customers to counselling services nationwide.
- Government – Bereavement Assistance 132 300
Information on payments available when a partner, child or person someone cares for has died.
Disability
- National Disability Services 1800 200 110
Australia's peak industry body for non-government disability service organisations. Collectively, 1,000 NDS members operate several thousand services for Australians with all types of disability. Refer to website for contact phone numbers in each state.
Natural disaster
- SES assistance in floods and storms 132 500
Serious illness
- Cancer Council Australia 13 11 20
A confidential service for anyone looking for cancer information or support. The line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (cost of a local call, except from mobiles).
- Health Direct 1800 022 222
Contact to speak with a registered nurse or locate a general practitioner.
- Capacity Australia 0400 319 089
Provides free education and information sessions on advocacy services for older people and those with disabilities, such as rights and responsibilities within the aged- and community-care sectors.
- Dementia Australia 1800 100 500
Advocates for people living with all types of dementia, and for their families and carers. Provides support services, education and information.
- Palliative care (02) 6232 0700
Improving the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness.ddiction
- Counselling Online – Drug and Alcohol Support
Online support and referrals to relevant state based counselling services. - Gambling Help 1800 858 858
Counselling, information and support for individuals and partners, families affected by gambling.
This article is intended to provide general information only. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as financial product advice. Please consider seeking financial advice before making any decision based on this information.
This article is intended to provide general information only. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as financial product advice. Please consider seeking financial advice before making any decision based on this information.
Unloan is a division of Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Applications are subject to credit approval, satisfactory security and you must have a minimum 20% equity in the property. Minimum loan amount $10,000, maximum loan amount $10,000,000, and total borrowings per customer across all Unloan loans is $10,000,000. (For purchase loans a minimum 10% equity is required - however a Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) premium and higher interest rate apply. In some cases, depending on the property’s location or type, an LMI premium may also be required for LVR between 70.01% to 80%). For loans with Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) the minimum loan amount is $10,000, maximum loan amount is $3,000,000 and total borrowings per customer across all Unloan loans is limited to $3,000,000).
Unloan offers a 0.01% per annum loyalty discount on the Unloan Live-In rate or Unloan Invest rate upon settlement. On each anniversary of your loan’s settlement date (or the day prior to the anniversary of your loan’s settlement date if your loan settled on 29th February and it is a leap year) the margin discount will increase by a further 0.01% per annum up to a maximum discount of 0.30% per annum. Unloan may withdraw this discount at any time. The discount is applied for each loan you have with Unloan.
*At Unloan, we do not charge any annual, application, banking, account, transaction, late or exit fees. In certain circumstances you may be required to pay a Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) premium. Learn more about why this is applied and how it works. Government fees may also apply. Learn more about government fees here. Your current lender may charge an exit fee when refinancing.
Unloan is a division of Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Applications are subject to credit approval, satisfactory security and you must have a minimum 20% equity in the property. Minimum loan amount $10,000, maximum loan amount $10,000,000, and total borrowings per customer across all Unloan loans is $10,000,000. (For purchase loans a minimum 10% equity is required - however a Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) premium and higher interest rate apply. In some cases, depending on the property’s location or type, an LMI premium may also be required for LVR between 70.01% to 80%). For loans with Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) the minimum loan amount is $10,000, maximum loan amount is $3,000,000 and total borrowings per customer across all Unloan loans is limited to $3,000,000).
Unloan offers a 0.01% per annum loyalty discount on the Unloan Live-In rate or Unloan Invest rate upon settlement. On each anniversary of your loan’s settlement date (or the day prior to the anniversary of your loan’s settlement date if your loan settled on 29th February and it is a leap year) the margin discount will increase by a further 0.01% per annum up to a maximum discount of 0.30% per annum. Unloan may withdraw this discount at any time. The discount is applied for each loan you have with Unloan.
*At Unloan, we do not charge any annual, application, banking, account, transaction, late or exit fees. In certain circumstances you may be required to pay a Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) premium. Learn more about why this is applied and how it works. Government fees may also apply. Learn more about government fees here. Your current lender may charge an exit fee when refinancing.
This article is intended to provide general information only. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as financial product advice. Please consider seeking independent taxation and financial advice before making any decision based on this information.
Tax law is complex and subject to change. For the latest information, check the ATO website or with your accountant or financial advisor.
Unloan is a division of Commonwealth Bank of Australia is also not a registered tax (financial) adviser under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 and you should seek tax advice from a registered tax agent or a registered tax (financial) adviser if you intend to rely on this information to satisfy the liabilities or obligations or claim entitlements that arise, or could arise, under a taxation law.
Applications are subject to credit approval, satisfactory security and you must have a minimum 20% equity in the property. Minimum loan amount $10,000, maximum loan amount $10,000,000, and total borrowings per customer across all Unloan loans is $10,000,000. (For purchase loans a minimum 10% equity is required - however a Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) premium and higher interest rate apply. In some cases, depending on the property’s location or type, an LMI premium may also be required for LVR between 70.01% to 80%). For loans with Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) the minimum loan amount is $10,000, maximum loan amount is $3,000,000 and total borrowings per customer across all Unloan loans is limited to $3,000,000).
Unloan offers a 0.01% per annum loyalty discount on the Unloan Live-In rate or Unloan Invest rate upon settlement. On each anniversary of your loan’s settlement date (or the day prior to the anniversary of your loan’s settlement date if your loan settled on 29th February and it is a leap year) the margin discount will increase by a further 0.01% per annum up to a maximum discount of 0.30% per annum. Unloan may withdraw this discount at any time. The discount is applied for each loan you have with Unloan.
*At Unloan, we do not charge any annual, application, banking, account, transaction, late or exit fees. In certain circumstances you may be required to pay a Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) premium. Learn more about why this is applied and how it works. Government fees may also apply. Learn more about government fees here. Your current lender may charge an exit fee when refinancing.
Tax law is complex and subject to change. For the latest information, check the ATO website or with your accountant or financial advisor.
Unloan is a division of Commonwealth Bank of Australia is also not a registered tax (financial) adviser under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 and you should seek tax advice from a registered tax agent or a registered tax (financial) adviser if you intend to rely on this information to satisfy the liabilities or obligations or claim entitlements that arise, or could arise, under a taxation law.
Applications are subject to credit approval, satisfactory security and you must have a minimum 20% equity in the property. Minimum loan amount $10,000, maximum loan amount $10,000,000, and total borrowings per customer across all Unloan loans is $10,000,000. (For purchase loans a minimum 10% equity is required - however a Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) premium and higher interest rate apply. In some cases, depending on the property’s location or type, an LMI premium may also be required for LVR between 70.01% to 80%). For loans with Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) the minimum loan amount is $10,000, maximum loan amount is $3,000,000 and total borrowings per customer across all Unloan loans is limited to $3,000,000).
Unloan offers a 0.01% per annum loyalty discount on the Unloan Live-In rate or Unloan Invest rate upon settlement. On each anniversary of your loan’s settlement date (or the day prior to the anniversary of your loan’s settlement date if your loan settled on 29th February and it is a leap year) the margin discount will increase by a further 0.01% per annum up to a maximum discount of 0.30% per annum. Unloan may withdraw this discount at any time. The discount is applied for each loan you have with Unloan.
*At Unloan, we do not charge any annual, application, banking, account, transaction, late or exit fees. In certain circumstances you may be required to pay a Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) premium. Learn more about why this is applied and how it works. Government fees may also apply. Learn more about government fees here. Your current lender may charge an exit fee when refinancing.
This article is intended to provide general information only. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as financial product advice.
Applications are subject to credit approval, satisfactory security and minimum deposit requirements. Full terms and conditions are found on our Unloan Terms and Conditions. Modified Terms and Conditions will be set out in our Notice of Variation Agreement, if you are approved. This article is intended to provide general information only. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as financial product advice.
Applications are subject to credit approval, satisfactory security and minimum deposit requirements. Full terms and conditions are found on our Unloan Terms and Conditions. Modified Terms and Conditions will be set out in our Notice of Variation Agreement, if you are approved. This article is intended to provide general information only. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as financial product advice.
This article is intended to provide general information only. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as financial product advice. Please consider seeking financial advice before making any decision based on this information. To learn more about what features Unloan provides, visit our product page here.