Problems paying bills

If you can't pay your electricity, gas, phone or water bill, contact your service provider straight away. They will explain your options, such as:

• an extension to pay
• paying in instalments
• Centrelink deductions (Centrepay)
• applying for a utility rebate or voucher

If you don't contact your provider, they may suspend or disconnect your service.

Not paying could also harm your credit score.

If you need a step-by-step guide on what to do, see the National Debt Helpline's get your bills under control.

Utility voucher agencies

You can apply for a utility rebate or voucher by contacting the agency in your state directly.

Problems paying insurance premiums

If you're struggling to pay your home, car, life or health insurance premiums, contact your insurer straight away. Explain your situation and tell them you would like to understand your payment options.

Your options may include setting up a payment plan or temporarily altering your premiums. Or, when making a claim, reducing or deferring the payment of the excess.

Problems paying council rates

If you can't pay your rates, contact your council as soon as possible. Ask about your payment options, such as:

• paying in instalments
• paying part or all of your rates at a later time
• writing off interest on overdue rates
• waiving or reducing your rates if your land revaluation made your rates go up and caused you financial hardship

For a step-by-step guide on what to do, see the National Debt Helpline's pay your rates.

If you don't pay your rates, the council could charge you a penalty — usually the interest on the amount you owe.

Not paying could also harm your credit score.

Problems paying strata levies

If you're struggling to pay your strata levy, contact your strata or body corporate as soon as possible. While they may not offer financial hardship arrangements, they may vote on your request for a different payment option.

For a step-by-step guide on what to do, see the National Debt Helpline's strata levies. 

Problems paying fines

If you can't pay parking, speeding or littering fines, it's important to contact your state debt recovery agency straight away:

• Australian Capital Territory: Traffic fines
• New South Wales: Fines
• Northern Territory: Fines: how to pay
• Queensland: Fines and enforcement
• South Australia: Fines: ways to pay
• Tasmania: Monetary Penalties Enforcement Service
• Victoria: Fines Victoria
• Western Australia: Fines and infringements

Ask about your options, such as:

• an extension to pay
• paying in instalments
• Centrelink deductions (Centrepay)
• doing community service to work off the debt
• getting a caution (for example, if you have a mental illness or an intellectual disability or are homeless)

If you don't make contact with the state debt recovery agency, they may:

• suspend or cancel your driver's licence or car registration
• take you to court
• publish your name on a fines recovery website
• take and sell your possessions
• take some of your wages
• register a charge over your land

For a step-by-step guide on what to do, see the National Debt Helpline's paying fines.

Get help sorting out bills and fines

Talk to a financial counsellor

Financial counsellors offer free, independent and confidential help to people with money problems. They may also negotiate with creditors on your behalf.

Get free legal advice

Community legal centres and Legal Aid agencies in every state and territory offer free legal advice.

Make a complaint

If you're in financial hardship and your service provider won't help, you can make a complaint.