21 November 2023
Banks will contribute $19 million over three years to the Government’s voluntary financial counselling model announced today by Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth.
“Banks large and small are proud to be funding the lions share of this initiative.” said ABA CEO Anna Bligh.
This funding will help increase the availability of free, independent counselling services for people experiencing financial difficulty who need advice.
“Banks have long supported financial counsellors and are very proud to be supporting this voluntary industry initiative,” said ABA CEO Anna Bligh.
“Financial counsellors provide a critical service to Australians when they are making some of the most difficult decisions in their lives. It is critical they have resources to do that important work,” Ms Bligh said.
“Financial counsellors are on the front-line helping people who are going through a tough time, when they’ve lost their job, their relationship has broken down, they have health problems, or have been impacted by a natural disaster.”
As well as reaching out to a financial counsellor, banks are urging people experiencing financial difficulty to talk to their bank.
The Australian Banking Association’s financial difficulty campaign has a clear message for people who are worried about being able to repay their loans, “Don’t tough it out on your own.” said ABA CEO Anna Bligh.
Ms Bligh said the spiral into financial difficulty can happen very quickly, and it is important that people reach out for support as early as possible.
“Banks have dedicated, highly experienced teams ready to help. Please get in touch with your bank or a financial counsellor. Don’t delay.”
Banks may be able to help by:
- lowering home loan or credit card loan payments
- restructuring the length of a loan
- moving a customer to interest-only payments for a while
- deferring payments for a period.
Read more about the financial hardship campaign here.
Also designed to assist as a ‘pathway out of financial hardship’, the ABA recently launched a new Financial Assistance Hub that has been completely updated with information for customers who are moving off fixed rate mortgages or struggling to repay buy now pay later loans.
Visit the Financial Assistance Hub here.
Latest news
E&OE Bran Black, BCA: I’m here with colleagues from industry associations that represent the length and breadth of Australia’s economy, and we’re here today to talk about a couple of key features of the Budget. What I wanted to do is just take a step back first and just talk about how we came together…. Read more »
The Alliance of Industry Associations described measures in the Federal Budget as positive first steps on productivity reform, while calling for further action to deliver sustained cost of living relief for households and businesses. The Alliance, representing around 30 industry groups from a broad cross-section of Australia’s economy, has previously called for a significant package… Read more »
The ABA says the 2026 Federal Budget lays the groundwork for reforms that enhance productivity across the financial services sector and the broader economy. Projected improvements to the overall Budget position through lower deficits and a more sustainable fiscal trajectory are also welcome. Ongoing fiscal discipline, including spending restraint, will be key to placing… Read more »