Frequently asked questions

Australian residents who are currently employed or recently unemployed, facing temporary financial hardship, and willing to contribute back once recovered. We consider each application individually.

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. Apply 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 5 minutes. We ask only what we need to understand your situation and how we can help.

We aim for same-day decisions. You'll typically hear from us within 24 hours of submitting your application.

A real person reviews your application. We may reach out with clarifying questions. Once approved, we'll arrange direct payment to your service provider.

Yes. If you have multiple essential expenses, you can include them in a single application. We'll assess each based on your overall situation.

Individual grants are based on demonstrated need. We consider each case individually and may approve higher amounts for exceptional circumstances.

Essential expenses: rent, utilities, medical costs, transport, and professional expenses required for work. We focus on expenses that maintain stability and enable employment.

We pay directly to service providers—landlords, utility companies, medical clinics, etc. This ensures funds reach their intended purpose.

TEKVA primarily provides grants — there's no repayment schedule, no interest, and no debt. In some cases we may offer interest-free support with flexible terms, but most participants receive grants. Once you're stable, we invite voluntary contributions to help others.

Not in the traditional sense. There's no loan or debt. Once you're financially stable, we invite you to contribute back what you can to help others. It's voluntary.

There's no set amount. Some people match what they received, others contribute more or less based on their capacity. The important thing is participating in the cycle.

When you're genuinely back on your feet. There's no timeline or pressure. We trust your judgment about when you're in a position to help others.

Financial contribution is one way, but not the only way. You can also contribute by mentoring others, sharing your story, or referring people who might need or want to support TEKVA.

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.