[Janelle Ward]

A $30 million boost to Australia’s free financial counselling services seeks to help a growing number of people in financial difficulty.

The funding boost has come from government and the private sector and is in addition to the almost $50 million by the federal government per annum and about $30 million from state and territory governments annually.

The federal government says the extra funding will increase access to financial counselling services for people in need.

About 125,000 face-to-face clients are helped each year by financial counsellors and 130,000 calls are made to the National Debt Helpline.

“This is a red-letter day for the financial counselling sector. We have waited a long time for an industry funding model and are delighted it is finally here,” said Fiona Guthrie, CEO of Financial Counselling Australia.

“Industry funding for financial counselling is a game-changer and will see thousands more Australians able to access the support they need when they’re doing it tough.”

The National Debt Helpline provides a single contact point for people to access financial counselling. You can also phone the helpline on 1800 007 007.

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