Help with bill payments


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High cost loans
High-cost, short term loans often referred to as ‘payday loans’ can cause poverty. A typical loan for $200-500 is repayable in two or four weeks with an effective interest rate of around 400% per year.
Loans are mainly given to low and fixed income borrowers to fund recurrent everyday living expenses such as food, utilities and car repairs. Repayment, usually through direct debit, takes first claim on your pay which can leave a low income borrower without enough money for everyday living.
Alternatives include: NILS (Brotherhood of St Laurence), Low-interest loans such as Step-Up Loans (operated by NAB & Good Shepherd) or Centrelink Advance, Utilities Hardship Programs, Centre Pay & Emergency Relief. (See CSF webpage
No or Low Interest Loans
)
High cost loans
Concessions Information
Phone: 1800 658 521
Register your Healthcare or Concession Card with your utility provider to receive a concession on your bills. Regularly check your bills to make sure your concession is still being applied as most cards have an expiry date.
Centrepay
Phone: 131 021
Centrelink provides Centrepay to people receiving payments from Centrelink. It is a free direct bill paying service where regular amounts are deducted from your Centrelink payment. Go to www.humanservices.gov.au to download a Centrepay form. You can set up your Centrepay deduction, easily edit or delete information via your online Centrelink profile.
Utility Relief Grants Scheme
Individuals in crisis may receive one-time help with their utility bills (electricity, water, gas and LPG). You must demonstrate unexpected hardship and fulfil criteria as set down by Department of Social Services.
Application forms are available from the Hardship Department of your utility provider.
Non-mains Utility Relief Grant Scheme can be contacted via the Concession Information line on 1800 658 521.
Telstra
Use Centrepay or a Budget card available from Telstra to assist in making regular instalment payments.
Ring Telstra on 1800 804 591
for more information regarding Telstra's Access for Everyone or check
this page
on their website.
Electricity and Gas
All provide options for budget management. These may include:
-
Centrepay, Billpay or direct debit
-
Assistance utilising an Easyway card which allows fortnightly regular payments.
Contact your electricity or gas company for details of staying connected programs.
Contact your electricity or gas company for details of staying connected programs.