Financial Hardship
Getting a loan
What should I do before I borrow money?
Taking out a loan for a property, car or other property is a big decision.
Be sure it’s the right one, by first checking out our fact sheet on what to do before you borrow money.
You can also use these checklists to make sure you are taking the right steps:
- There are black marks on my Credit Report – Should I hire a Credit Repair Company?
- Pay Day Lending
- Pawn-broking
- Your Credit Report
- Refinancing
- Does the National Credit Act apply?
- Line of credit loans and home loans with redraw
- Going Guarantor
- Getting A Loan With Someone Else
- Buy now, pay later services (including Afterpay, Humm, Zip, Klarna, Openpay)
- Consumer Leases
Thinking of using a Finance/Mortgage Broker?
Using a Broker to obtain finance or get a mortgage could end up costing you more than if you had obtained finance yourself! Check out our fact sheet before you consider using a finance or mortgage broker.
Before you do anything seek free, independent advice and check out our Checklist: Using a finance/mortgage broker.
Problems with your loan
- Repossession (Car And Goods)
- Family Breakdown And Debt
- Dispute Resolution (Financial)
- How do I get copies of my loan documents?
- Consumer Credit Insurance – Making A Claim
Financial Counselling
- I’m finding it hard to manage my finances – should I sign up with a Personal Budgeting Service?
- Accessing Your Superannuation Early
- Drowning In Credit Card Debt
- I Can’t Pay My Phone Debt
- I Can’t Pay My Electricity Debt
Banking
- Unauthorised Transactions
- Direct Debits From Credit Cards
- Direct Debits From Cheque And Savings Accounts
- Chargebacks
- Open Banking and the Consumer Data Right: What is it and what can I do when something goes wrong?
Debt collection
- I’m in debt – Should I sign up with a Debt Negotiation Firm?
- Debtor Harassment
- Dealing With Debt Collection
- Taking a toll – what do I do about Unpaid Tolls?
What is a debt agreement?
At some point, someone might propose that you enter a debt agreement. Debt agreements have serious consequences that you may not be aware of.
Before you take this step, it’s essential to get advice from a free, independent counsellor, contact: 1800 007 007.
You can learn more about debt agreements by checking out our Checklist: Debt agreements.
The NSW Local Court
- The Sheriff And Seizure Of Goods
- Making An Application to Set Aside Judgment
- Recovery Of Old Debts
- Making An Application To Pay By Instalments
- Filing A Defence
- Debt Recovery in the Local Court
- Debt Enforcement in the Local Court
What if I receive a Statement of Claim?
A Statement of Claim is an official court document completed by someone who thinks you owe them money. If you receive a Statement of Claim, you need to act quickly!
Check out our Checklist: Statement of claim.
Bankruptcy
Insurance
If you need advice about an insurance claim or issue check our Insurance Law Service.
If you need advice about a car insurance claim or issue head to Motor Vehicle Accidents.
Car Insurance
- Making A Claim On Your Car Insurance
- What Can I Do If My Car Insurance Claim Is Refused?
- Your Vehicle has been ‘Written Off’
- My car has been written off by the insurer – What deductions can the insurer make?
- I’ve Had A Car Accident And I’m Uninsured
- Buying Car Insurance
- Rental Cars And Insurance
Why do I have to pay my excess?
Why do I have to pay my excess? Why do I have multiple excesses? Check out our fact sheet to understand more about what “excess” is and what you need to do.
Each insurer is different. Some insurers require you to pay an excess no matter who is at fault, others require you to provide specific details and convince the insurer you are not at fault. Find out more details about paying your excess by checking out our Checklist: Paying your excess.
- Should I get a courtesy car through a credit hire company?
- What do I do if I receive a demand for hire car costs from a credit hire company?
Home and Contents Insurance
- Making A Claim On My Home and/or Contents Insurance
- What Can I Do If My Home and/or Contents Insurance Claim Is Refused
- If a tree falls in a storm who pays for its removal?
- My Premiums Are Too High
- Title Insurance
Natural Disasters
- Detailed Bushfire Insurance Guide
- Bushfire Insurance Guide – short
- Flood Insurance Guide
- Storm Insurance
- Flood Premiums
- Insurance Claims Management Services
Other Types of Insurance
- Pet peeves – Pet insurance and you
- R.I.P. Off! Why you don’t need Funeral Insurance
- Funeral Insurance Brochure
Problems with Your Insurance
- Help! My Insurance Claim Is Taking Forever!
- How To Use Your PDS
- Dispute Resolution (Insurance)
- Frequently Asked Insurance Questions
- Problem With The Quality Of Repairs (Arranged By The Insurer)
- What Can I Do If My Insurer Agrees To Pay Some, But Not All Of My Claim?
What can I do if I am being investigated by an insurer?
Check out our fact sheet to find out what you should do if you are being investigated on a general insurance claim.
Insurers are always on the lookout for fraud. If you have to participate in an insurance interview you have a duty to reasonably cooperate.
Make sure you know your rights and responsibilities when you are being investigated by checking out our Checklist: Insurance Interviews.
Mob Strong Fact Sheets
Funeral insurance
Does your client have or had a funeral insurance policy with the Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund?
If you are a financial counsellor or solicitor and you have a client who has or has had a funeral insurance policy with the Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund (ACBF), now owned by Youpla, and was misled into thinking ACBF were Aboriginal owned and managed when they signed up, they should seek advice about their options.
