There’s been a significant increase in the number of people reaching out to the National Debt Helpline (NDH) over the past year.
During 2024 more than 169,000 people called in or used the online chat tool to seek help from financial counsellors – a 12% increase on 2023.
Total visits to the NDH website also increased with almost 647,000 visits last calendar year compared with 490,522 the year before. That’s a 32% increase.
The NDH is a free and independent service for people in financial hardship which is coordinated by Financial Counselling Australia (FCA).
“The increase in people coming to the NDH for help shows how difficult it is for many people at the moment,” said Peter Gartlan, co-CEO of FCA.
“Cost of living pressures are mounting and having a significant impact on the financial well-being of many thousands of Australians.
“The good news is, there is help available and you don’t have to pay for it. Financial counsellors are professionally trained and able to guide those who are struggling with debt and bills.
People contact the NDH for various reasons but the top issues over 2024 were the following:
- Housing stress (mortgage, rent, rates and body corporate)
- Utilities
- Credit card debt
- Personal loans
- Buy now pay later
- ATO debt
State and Territory data can be found on the NDH website’s data portal.
Above is a media release (16/01/2024) from Financial Counselling Australia, a valued member of Consumers’ Federation of Australia. The original article, in addition to media contact information, is available on FCA’s website here.
Anyone who is struggling financially can contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or visit ndh.org.au for self-help and/or a chat.
Additionally, Mob Strong Debt Help is a free nationwide legal advice and financial counselling service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, you can visit https://financialrights.org.au/getting-help/mob-strong-debt-help/ for more information (including a factsheet with updates on ACBF/Youpla and First Nations dedicated phonelines for banks) or call Mob Strong Debt Help on 1800 808 488.