Preparing financially
Free financial counselling
When it's worth speaking to a financial counsellor before buying, what they can and can't do, and how it differs from paid financial advice.
- Financial counselling is free, independent and confidential — worth considering before things feel urgent, not only after.
- A counsellor can assess your financial position, help prioritise debts, explain your options and negotiate with lenders on your behalf.
- They don't recommend loans, give investment advice or provide legal representation — those are separately regulated roles.
- The National Debt Helpline is the national access point connecting people with free financial counselling, not itself a single centralised service.
Should you speak to a financial counsellor before buying?
It's worth reaching out early — not only once things feel urgent — if any of these sound familiar: you're relying on credit cards or BNPL for everyday essentials, you're missing or juggling repayments between bills, you've received a collection notice, you're considering borrowing more just to repay existing debt, you can't build a deposit without falling behind elsewhere, or you're already facing mortgage or bill hardship. None of these mean you can't buy a home — but they're exactly the situations a financial counsellor can help you work through before you commit to a purchase.
What can a financial counsellor actually do?
A financial counsellor provides free, independent, confidential help for people experiencing financial difficulty (National Debt Helpline (funded by state/territory governments), verified 29 Jul 2026). In practice, that means: assessing your complete financial position, helping you prioritise debts and essential expenses, explaining the options actually available to you, assisting with negotiations with lenders or creditors, and referring you to legal, housing, health or crisis services where relevant.
What they don't do
A financial counsellor doesn't give investment or property-selection advice, recommend a specific home loan, provide legal representation, or lend or refinance money. They're not a substitute for a licensed financial adviser, mortgage broker, accountant or lawyer — those are separately regulated roles for different questions.
| Financial counsellor | Financial adviser | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Paid |
| Regulation | Community-sector trained; not a licensed financial service | Licensed under financial services law |
| Typical focus | Financial difficulty, debts, hardship options | Investment, superannuation and broader financial planning |
| Recommends products? | No | Can, within their licence |
Accessing free counselling
The National Debt Helpline is the national access point connecting people with free financial counselling services — not tied to any lender or product, and not something you pay for or need a referral to access. Call 1800 007 007 (weekdays 9:30am-4:30pm), or use live chat (weekdays 9:00am-8:00pm) (National Debt Helpline (funded by state/territory governments), verified 18 Aug 2026). Before contacting them, it helps to have a rough picture of your income, regular expenses, and each debt with its balance and minimum repayment — you don't need this perfectly prepared, but it speeds up the conversation.
Frequently asked
Is this really free, no matter my income?
Yes — financial counselling through the National Debt Helpline is free, independent and confidential for anyone, regardless of income or the size of the debt involved.
Will contacting a financial counsellor affect my credit report or a loan application?
No — speaking with a financial counsellor is not a credit application and isn't recorded as an enquiry on your credit report. It doesn't need to be disclosed to a lender, and seeking help early is generally viewed as responsible financial management, not a warning sign.
Practical checklist
Before contacting a financial counsellor
- Note your income and regular expenses, even roughly
- List each debt with its balance and minimum repayment
- Gather any recent collection notices or hardship correspondence
- Contact the National Debt Helpline — no referral or payment needed
Questions for a professional
- Given my situation, what options do I realistically have?
- Should I address existing debt before or while preparing to buy?
- Would I be better served by a financial counsellor, a broker, or both?
Official resources
Sources and methodology
- National Debt Helpline — National Debt Helpline (funded by state/territory governments) (retrieved 29 Jul 2026)
Figures on this page are drawn from Delora's local knowledge graph, refreshed from these primary sources and checked for changes on a regular schedule. If a figure here looks out of date, the official source above is always the authority — please let us know.