Financial Rights is delighted that Mob Strong Debt Help has been awarded a significant recurrent funding boost to provide more services to First Nations Australians who are seeking help to manage their financial circumstances. Financial Rights established Mob Strong in 2016 as a multi-disciplinary program providing financial counselling and legal advice for First Nations people, by First Nations professionals.
Funding announced today from the Department of Social Services will provide Mob Strong with a total of $6 million to provide services over the next 4 years. This funding boost will help Mob Strong deliver free national financial counselling services, expand outreach to First Nations communities, and continue its powerful advocacy for First Nations peoples to government and financial service providers.
The funding has been awarded as Mob Strong continues its journey towards organisational independence. Mob Strong anticipates becoming an Aboriginal Community Control Organisation (ACCO) in 2027. It is presently one of a range of credit and debt related services provided by the Financial Rights Legal Centre and has slowly built itself up towards operating independently.
The funding announcement was made by Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Tanya Plibersek, and Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon. Malarndirri McCarthy, at the Financial Rights and Mob Strong Debt Help office. Both Ministers joined the Mob Strong team for a yarn about how the services support mob, the big issues callers are talking about, and their journey toward independence.
Quote from Mob Strong’s independence steering group members who will form the Inaugural Board: Kimberley Peckham, Heron Loban and Adrian Ahern
“Mob Strong’s independence and move to become an ACCO is self-determination in action. First Nations voices must be at the forefront, leading and shaping services so First Nations people feel confident and comfortable reaching out for support. It has been a privilege to work alongside Financial Rights through this transition, and this commitment to ongoing funding gives Mob Strong the certainty to keep building for the future. We look forward to seeing Mob Strong go from strength to strength and become a trusted and much-needed pillar for First Nations communities when it comes to debt help and financial wellbeing.”
Quote from Financial Rights’ CEO Mitali Tyagi
“In 2025, Financial Rights committed to supporting Mob Strong transition to independence as an ACCO – delivering services to First Nations communities with First Nations-led expertise in financial counselling and legal advice. This funding from the Department of Social Services is critical to ensuring Mob Strong launches with a strong and stable foundation. We will continue our partnership with Mob Strong as we walk with them towards independence in 2027.”
Contact
For further information contact [email protected] or 0457 024 683
About Mob Strong Debt Help
Mob Strong Debt Help is a free nationwide legal advice and financial counselling service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The service specialises in consumer finance (such as credit cards, pay day loans and car loans), banking, debt recovery and insurance (including car, home, life and funeral insurance).
We’re here to help – since 2016 Mob Strong Debt Help has been guided, developed and operated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, supported by all our colleagues at Financial Rights.
Our team is small but dedicated, and includes solicitors, policy advocates, financial counsellors, community outreach workers and business support. This team brings years of experience to lead the work of Mob Strong.
About Financial Rights
The Financial Rights Legal Centre is a specialist legal centre providing free financial counselling, legal advice and representation to anyone suffering financial stress, particularly in the areas of consumer credit, banking, debt, recovery and insurance.
We focus on assisting low-income, marginalised or disadvantaged consumers who need help to solve complex problems and gain greater financial freedom. We also use our experience helping individuals to argue for improved consumer protection laws and a fairer financial services marketplace.
- Credit and Debt Legal Advice Line 1800 844 949 for those needing legal advice in NSW;
- National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007 – for people needing to talk to a financial counsellor (please note this line is answered by a number of different services around Australia, Financial Rights is one of those services);
- Financial Rights Legal Centre - https://financialrights.org.au/;
- Mob Strong Debt Help 1800 808 488 – our national service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander callers https://financialrights.org.au/mob-strong-debt-help/;
- Insurance Law Service 1300 663 464 – our national service focusing on problems with insurance or debts to insurers;
- Caseworker Advice Line 1800 650 084 – NSW financial counsellors can contact this line to access advice, assistance and support from our experienced staff financial counsellors, or where necessary a solicitor, in relation to credit, debt & insurance matters;
- Disaster Line - a national service for people who have experienced financial stress from extreme weather events and seek legal advice on insurance questions and related disputes.
