Frequently asked questions

Working-age Australians under real financial pressure — especially when a bit of help now means you can keep your job, your home, or your income. We look at every situation individually, including gig workers, freelancers, and people between roles. If we're not the right fit, we'll point you to who is.

Yes. Self-employed individuals and freelancers are eligible, provided you can demonstrate a history of work and income, and a temporary disruption that's causing financial hardship.

We review each case individually. If you have a clear path back to employment and are actively seeking work, we may still be able to help. Start the check and explain your situation.

We may ask for documentation to verify your situation, but we try to keep requirements minimal. The goal is to understand your circumstances, not to create bureaucratic hurdles.

About 90 seconds. If TEKVA looks like a fit, the follow-up questions take about five minutes.

We look at urgent cases first, and a real person reads every request. A response isn't a payment approval. It means we'll help you work out the next step and whether TEKVA is the right pathway.

A real person reviews your situation. We might ask for more information, help organise documents, suggest tools or scripts, connect you with a specialist service, or assess whether direct TEKVA support fits.

TEKVA isn't a crisis service. If you're in immediate danger, call 000. Lifeline is 13 11 14, any time. For urgent food, housing, or emergency relief, Ask Izzy and the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) can point you to services near you — and our check routes you to the right crisis service fast.

Sometimes. It's not where we start. First we work out what's causing the pressure and what would actually help. That might be a hardship program, a financial counsellor, a document pack, or a specialist service. Where one practical cost is the thing keeping you stuck, TEKVA may pay it direct to the provider.

We don't approve support by category. We look at whether it's essential, time-sensitive, and likely to change what happens next. Common areas: housing pressure, utilities, medical and dental costs, work-access blockers like transport or a licence, and training tied to a real job.

TEKVA may provide limited support, paid direct to providers where workable. It's one tool. Many people get navigation, free tools, referrals, or a financial counselling pathway instead, because that's often what the situation actually needs.

Yes. Financial counselling at TEKVA is delivered by FCAN-registered Financial Counsellors. Financial capability support is provided by Financial Capability Workers (budgeting, planning, capability building — distinct from financial counselling). We also provide crisis triage, practical support, and referral coordination. We do not provide AFSL-licensed financial product advice, legal advice, or insolvency advice — where specialist support is needed beyond our scope, we connect you to qualified professionals.

Our tools help with preparation, triage, and reducing admin. They generate personalised information based on published Australian law — not financial counselling or personal financial advice. If you need professional advice, we'll connect you to a qualified financial counsellor.

Yes. We take privacy seriously. Your data is encrypted, stored securely, and never shared with third parties without your consent.

Only TEKVA team members involved in reviewing applications. We don't share personal details with employers, partners, or anyone outside our review process.

If you're connected to employment or mentorship opportunities, we share only what's necessary with your consent. Your financial situation remains private.