Financial Counselling

Financial counselling is an independent, free of charge service aiming to aid people in financial hardship by providing information, advice, and advocacy. Financial counsellors help clients to understand and analyse possible options to navigate themselves to improving their financial circumstances.

Financial counselling services caters for a range of needs whether its advice on budgeting or negotiating with financial institutions on your behalf.

GCLC’s free and confidential financial counselling service can assist clients in managing their finances by:

  • Assisting in developing a realistic household budget.
  • Providing resources and information to help you better manage your finances.
  • Exploring options and facilitating a comprehensive plan to keep up with your bills.
  • Liaising with financial institutions and debt collectors on your behalf to achieve manageable and amicable agreements for your debts. These include but are not limited to: mortgages, credit cards, personal loans, buy now pay later, pay day lenders, vehicle loans, rent to buy contracts, council rates, utilities and telcos.
  • Enrolling you on to the Work and Development Permit Scheme to help you pay off court fines.
  • Obtaining your credit report and discussing information on your credit report.
  • Providing information and assistance with bankruptcy and limited information on Part IX debt agreements (please note that we do not facilitate Part IX debt agreements but can give you independent information on these).
  • Assessing the options of withdrawing Superannuation on hardship and compassionate grounds.
  • Applying for the WA No interest loan scheme and NILS4CARS scheme.
  • Providing limited assistance with scams and mistaken internet banking transactions.
  • Referring you to appropriate services when the nature of the enquiry is outside of the financial counselling scope.

Help us, help you!

Take advantage of your free financial counselling appointment and come prepared. Fill out this spreadsheet in advance to maximise how we can help you. Please send to admin@gosclc.com.au

Did you know?

Advice is free of charge with no ongoing costs.

We do not give legal or investment advice.

We do not provide emergency relief or food vouchers but can provide referrals.

Useful links:

Quick and easy online budget planner tool.

Budgeting money planner

Free and confidential financial advice. Call 1800 007 007.

National debt helpline.

Financial guidance information.

Moneysmart

Advice for consumers in financial stress fact sheets.

Financial rights - Factsheets

For information regarding certain types of debt situations.

Unable to pay my debts

Fair, free dispute resolution for financial complaints.

Link: fcawa.org

Find another financial counselling service.

Find a financial counsellor

Find your eligibility for the WA No interest loan scheme.

Link: wanils.com.au

So your loved one has just passed...

Where do you begin? This checklist will help you sort out your loved one's financial affairs.

You can request an appointment by completing this form.

Appointments can also be requested by contacting our office by phone or email.