If money's tight, it can be hard to keep up with regular payments like electricity and phone — or unexpected fines. Here are a few simple steps you can take to sort things out.
Problems paying bills
If you can't pay your electricity, gas, phone or water bill, contact your service provider straight away. They will explain your options, such as:
- an extension to pay
- paying in instalments
- Centrelink deductions (Centrepay)
- applying for a utility rebate or voucher
If you don't contact your provider, they may suspend or disconnect your service.
Not paying could also harm your credit score.
If you need a step-by-step guide on what to do, see the National Debt Helpline's get your bills under control.
Utility voucher agencies
You can apply for a utility rebate or voucher by contacting the agency in your state directly.
National
Services Australia (13 62 40):
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All utilities |
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Electricity, water and sewerage rates |
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Electricity for medical equipment |
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Phone |
Telstra (13 22 00) also offers the following:
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Phone |
Australian Capital Territory
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Electricity and gas |
ACT Government: Utilities Concession Actew AGL Retail 13 14 93 |
New South Wales
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Electricity and gas |
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Water |
Water Payment Assistance Scheme |
Queensland
South Australia
South Australian Government (1800 307 758):
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Electricity, gas, water and council rates |
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Electricity and gas |
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Water and sewerage rates |
Victoria
Department of Health and Human Services (1800 658 521):
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All utilities |
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Electricity |
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Gas |
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Water and sewerage rates |
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Water |
Tasmania
Department of Communities Tasmania (1300 135 513):
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Electricity |
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Water and sewerage rates |
Western Australia
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Electricity, gas and water |
Western Australian Government: Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) |
Problems paying insurance premiums
If you're struggling to pay your home, car, life or health insurance premiums, contact your insurer straight away. Explain your situation and tell them you would like to understand your payment options.
Your options may include setting up a payment plan or temporarily altering your premiums. Or, when making a claim, reducing or deferring the payment of the excess.
Problems paying council rates
If you can't pay your rates, contact your council as soon as possible. Ask about your payment options, such as:
- paying in instalments
- paying part or all of your rates at a later time
- writing off interest on overdue rates
- waiving or reducing your rates if your land revaluation made your rates go up and caused you financial hardship
For a step-by-step guide on what to do, see the National Debt Helpline's council rates.
If you don't pay your rates, the council could charge you a penalty — usually the interest on the amount you owe.
Not paying could also harm your credit score.
Problems paying strata levies
If you're struggling to pay your strata levy, contact your strata or body corporate as soon as possible. While they may not offer financial hardship arrangements, they may vote on your request for a different payment option.
For a step-by-step guide on what to do, see the National Debt Helpline's strata levies.
Problems paying fines
If you can't pay parking, speeding or littering fines, it's important to contact your state debt recovery agency straight away:
- Australian Capital Territory: Traffic fines
- New South Wales: Pay your fines
- Northern Territory: Fines: how to pay
- Queensland: Fines and enforcement
- South Australia: Fines: ways to pay
- Tasmania: Monetary Penalties Enforcement Service
- Victoria: Fines Victoria
- Western Australia: Fines and infringements
Ask about your options, such as:
- an extension to pay
- paying in instalments
- Centrelink deductions (Centrepay)
- doing community service to work off the debt
- getting a caution (for example, if you have mental illness or intellectual disability or are homeless)
If you don't make contact with the state debt recovery agency, they may:
- suspend or cancel your driver's licence or car registration
- take you to court
- publish your name on a fines recovery website
- take and sell your possessions
- take some of your wages
- register a charge over your land
For a step-by-step guide on what to do, see the National Debt Helpline's paying fines.
Get help sorting out bills and fines
Talk to a financial counsellor
Financial counsellors offer free, independent and confidential help to people with money problems. They may also negotiate with creditors on your behalf.
Call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 to talk to a financial counsellor. Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm. Or live chat, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 8:00pm.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can call the free Mob Strong Debt Helpline on 1800 808 488. Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm.
Get debt management support
Call Way Forward on 1300 045 502. Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 7:00pm. If you're in financial hardship, they can arrange a debt repayment plan on your behalf. This is a free service.
Get free legal advice
Community legal centres and Legal Aid agencies in every state and territory offer free legal advice.
Make a complaint
If you're in financial hardship and your service provider won't help, you can make a complaint.