New community based financial counselling

Jenny Macklin,Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, has announced that 22 new financial counselling positions around Australia will assist in increasing access to free counselling for people under increasing pressure from the global financial crisis.

The Australian Government is providing an additional $1.6 million to boost financial counselling services.

The global financial crisis is placing increasing pressure on household budgets.

“We know that many families are facing mortgage stress, credit card debt and cost of living pressures – often as a result of unemployment, sickness or family breakdown.

“Having access to free community-based financial counsellors will help people make informed decisions about their situation and how best to manage their financial affairs.

“It’s important that we reach people early so that we can provide the support needed to reduce the likelihood of problems escalating.”

The new positions include telephone financial counselling and specialist positions to assist with housing debt.

The positions are located in high need areas where there is currently little or no access to services.

The funding for these new positions builds on the Government’s earlier announcement of $3.5 million for 41 community and local government organisations to continue delivering financial counselling services around the country.

In the 2008-09 Budget, the Australian Government doubled funding for Commonwealth financial counsellors to $20 million over four years to provide more assistance to Australians under financial pressure. The availability of professional financial counselling services can provide the help people need in these challenging financial times.