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. Direct financial support is currently available in NSW only. Our free tools, guides and referrals are available anywhere in Australia, and if you're outside NSW we'll point you to the right service where you live.

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 look at each situation individually. One-to-one support from TEKVA comes through a referral from a service you're already seeing, like a financial counsellor or community worker. Our tools and guides are open to everyone, any time.

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.

Through a referral. We work alongside financial counsellors, community services and support workers, and they refer people to us. If you're seeing someone, send them tekva.org.au/refer and ask them to refer you. If you're not, the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) can connect you with a financial counsellor. You can start on your own any time at tekva.org.au/start.

When a service refers you, a real person at TEKVA reads the referral and gets in touch with you or your worker about next steps. Together we work out whether TEKVA is the right fit and what comes next. Any payment is decided separately.

If we're the right fit, we start with what's most urgent: the bills, the calls, the deadlines. From there, support can include getting back to work and income, and building AI skills for the job search. If another service is a better fit, we'll help connect you with it.

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. Our Get help now page at tekva.org.au/start lists who to call today.

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. TEKVA does not make cash payments to participants. 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 an FCAN-registered Financial Counsellor, working directly with participants. Financial capability support is provided by a Financial Capability Worker (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 referrals. 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.