A Financial Counsellor can:
-
Assess your overall financial situation, including income, expenses, assets, and debts.
-
Provide support with managing debts, loans, and fines.
-
Help create practical budgets and strategies tailored to your needs.
-
Guide you on communicating with creditors, including requesting hardship arrangements or disputing debts you do not owe.
-
Negotiate payment plans or debt waivers on your behalf when appropriate, especially if debts are linked to financial or domestic abuse.
-
Support you if you are being contacted or harassed by debt collectors, ensuring your rights are protected.
-
Assist you in accessing your credit report to see what debts you have.
-
Work with you to manage your finances so you can stay in control and build long-term financial resilience.
-
Explore eligibility for financial or community supports, such as Centrelink payments, housing assistance, food or energy vouchers, Victims Support Claims, or early access to superannuation.
-
Connect you with additional services, including legal, housing, health, and crisis support.
-
Identify other assistance you may be eligible for, including concessions and government programs
What is a Financial Counsellor?
A Financial Counsellor is a skilled, qualified professional. They have specific knowledge about credit, debt collection and bankruptcy laws. They understand the social security framework. They know about industry’s obligations when you are in hardship. They are trained in negotiation and counselling. They can negotiate on your behalf with your creditors. They are here to help you.
What we DON’T do:
Financial COUNSELLORS can be confused with financial PLANNERS/ADVISORS. The services provided are quite different.
Money Mentors do not provide financial planning services or financial advice
Financial COUNSELLORS help people who have debt or are not able to meet their ongoing expenses. They provide free education.
Financial PLANNERS/ADVISORS provide tailored advice to individuals who have money to invest. They develop financial plans to achieve goals and provide advice in areas such as investing, superannuation, insurance and estate planning. They charge a fee for their service.
​
Urgent Food Assistance and Financial Support
​
Please note, we do not provide emergency relief services directly. However, our Financial Counsellors have strong relationships with emergency relief providers and can connect you to these services during your financial counseling session.
Please download our Peel Emergency Relief & Food List Here ​​​
.png)