13YARN
24/7 national crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lifeline crisis supporters.
13 92 7624/7
Free
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The places we point Australian small business owners first. Every record carries a last-checked date, a source link, and a clear note on who they help and who they don't. We do not list commercial debt-relief operators.
We do not refer to commercial debt-relief operators.
Every service we point you to is free or low-cost, government-funded or not-for-profit, and independent of creditors. If a paid operator is offering to negotiate your ATO debt or run a Part IX agreement for a fee, talk to the Small Business Debt Helpline first — 1800 413 828, free.
24/7 national crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lifeline crisis supporters.
Free
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24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention. Phone, text, or chat. Free, confidential.
Free
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24/7 free professional crisis counselling for anyone affected by suicide. Up to six scheduled call-backs with the same counsellor.
Free
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Free six-session mental health coaching for small business owners under stress. Coaches have small business backgrounds. No GP referral required.
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Free, confidential, specialist financial counselling for sole traders and small business owners — tax debt, BAS, supplier pressure, insolvency options.
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Free, confidential personal financial counselling — for the personal side of a sole trader's debts, or anyone whose business has folded and is now dealing with creditors as an individual.
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Federal statutory ombudsman for small business. Free assistance with disputes against other businesses or government, plus a Tax Concierge for ATO matters.
Free assistance. A $100 first-hour co-payment applies for the Small Business Dispute Help legal-advice service and for the Tax Concierge Service.
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Self-service payment plans for tax debts of $200,000 or less via Online Services for Business or the self-help phone line. Higher amounts and complex cases via the assisted line.
Free to set up. GIC continues to accrue while the arrangement is on foot.
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The official register of registered trustees and debt agreement administrators for personal insolvency. The sole-trader insolvency path goes through AFSA.
Search is free. Trustee and administrator fees vary; agree fees in writing before any engagement. Be wary of operators who advertise heavily — call the National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007 for an independent opinion before signing anything.
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The official ASIC search for registered liquidators and small business restructuring practitioners. Verify any practitioner you're considering, before paying any fee.
Search is free. Initial consultation with a practitioner is usually free. Appointment fees vary — agree fees in writing before any engagement.
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24/7 helpline and peer-led suicide prevention for construction workers and small construction-business owners. Recognised by WHO as global best practice.
Free
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24/7 free, confidential telephone counselling for anyone working in Australian music, performing arts, or the broader creative industries. Includes crisis relief grants.
Free
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No-interest loans up to $2,000 for essential goods and services, and up to $3,000 for housing-related expenses. For people on low incomes, including sole traders under pressure.
No interest, no fees, no charges. Loan amount is what you repay.
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