A step-by-step plan for the first 72 hours and beyond
More than 200,000 Australians experience involuntary job loss each year. You have legal entitlements from your employer, immediate access to government support, and the right to hardship assistance from every company you owe money to. Here's what to do first.
Need to talk to someone? 1800 007 007 — National Debt Helpline, free and confidential.
Where are you?
We'll show you local numbers, services, and rights specific to your state.
Check off each step as you go. Your progress is saved.
Your employer must pay you any outstanding wages, accrued annual leave, and (in most cases) notice or redundancy pay. Check your last payslip and your employment contract. If your employer hasn't paid what they owe, you can lodge a claim with the Fair Work Ombudsman for free.
Call Centrelink on 132 850 or go online via myGov. You can claim from the day you become unemployed. Even if you got a payout, you may still be eligible (there may be a waiting period). Ask about the Liquid Assets Waiting Period and whether an exemption applies to your situation.
Once on JobSeeker, you're eligible for a Health Care Card. This unlocks cheaper prescriptions, bulk-billed doctors, and energy/water concessions that will save you hundreds.
Banks, energy, telco, insurance — call each one and say 'I've lost my job and I'm applying for hardship assistance.' Do this NOW, before you miss a payment. You have a legal right to hardship arrangements. Details for each type of creditor are below.
Many people have income protection insurance and don't know it — check your superannuation fund, credit card, or mortgage. Some policies cover involuntary job loss. Call your super fund and ask directly.
Call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. They're free, independent, and can help you prioritise bills, negotiate with creditors, and access grants you might not know about.
Your rights, who to call, and free services — everything in one place.
National Energy Retail Law (NERL) & National Energy Retail Rules (NERR)
Every energy retailer must have an approved hardship program. If you're struggling to pay, they must offer you entry into this program.
Your retailer must set payment amounts based on your capacity to pay — not just what they want. If you can only afford $30/week, that's what they must work with.
Your energy cannot be disconnected while you're on a hardship program and meeting your obligations. Even if you're not on a program, they must follow strict disconnection procedures first.
Disconnection is prohibited on days where the forecast temperature exceeds certain thresholds (varies by state — typically 39°C+ in NSW).
If you're in hardship, your retailer should offer information about how to reduce energy usage and may offer a home energy audit at no cost.
You can request to pay your energy bills directly from your Centrelink payments via Centrepay — making budgeting easier.
If your retailer doesn't follow these rules, you can complain to your state's Energy & Water Ombudsman for free. They have the power to order outcomes.
National Credit Code (NCC), National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (NCCP Act)
You can apply for a hardship variation on any loan, credit card, car finance, or mortgage. Since June 2025, buy now pay later services like Afterpay and Zip are also covered. Call your lender's hardship team (not general customer service) and tell them you're experiencing financial hardship and would like to discuss your options.
Your lender must respond to your hardship notice within 21 days. If they need more information, they must request it within 21 days, then respond within 21 days of receiving it. NAB was fined $15.5 million in 2025 for failing to respond to 345 hardship customers — this law is enforced.
Your lender can't just rubber-stamp a rejection. They must genuinely assess your situation, consider what you can afford, and offer alternatives. Common options include: reduced repayments, repayment pause (3-6 months), interest rate freeze, fee waivers, or extending the loan term.
While your hardship application is being assessed, your lender should not take enforcement action — no default notices, no debt collection referrals, no repossession. Your account should be placed on hold.
When you enter a hardship arrangement, a note appears on your credit report — but it cannot be used to calculate your credit score, and it's removed 12 months after the arrangement ends. A default listing, on the other hand, stays for 5 years and seriously damages your ability to borrow. Asking for help early is one of the best ways to avoid a default.
Lenders should consider: extending the loan term, reducing or deferring repayments, pausing interest, waiving fees, or restructuring the debt. In severe cases, partial debt write-off may be offered. Fee waivers and reduced repayments are the most common forms of assistance.
If your lender refuses your hardship request or offers inadequate help, you can lodge a free complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. AFCA can order the lender to vary your contract, refund fees, reverse interest charges, and award compensation up to $631,500 for direct loss.
Tap any number to call directly. Tell them you're experiencing financial hardship.
What to say: Ask for the 'Staying Connected' hardship program. They must offer a payment plan based on what you can afford.
Your right: Under the National Energy Retail Law, AGL must not disconnect you while you're on a hardship plan and meeting your obligations.
What to say: Ask for the 'Power On' hardship program. Request a payment plan, energy audit, and concession check.
Your right: Origin must offer payment plans, direct Centrepay billing, and cannot disconnect while you're engaging with their hardship team.
What to say: Ask for the 'Energy Assist' hardship program. They can offer payment plans, debt waivers, and usage reduction support.
Your right: EnergyAustralia must assess your capacity to pay and set affordable repayment amounts.
What to say: Ask for their hardship program. Request a payment plan that matches your income cycle.
Your right: Must offer flexible payment options and not disconnect while you're on the hardship program.
What to say: Ask for their hardship assistance. They can reduce payments and set up Centrepay deductions.
Your right: Must work with you on a manageable payment arrangement.
What to say: Ask for 'financial assistance'. They can defer loan repayments, reduce credit card minimums, pause fees, and restructure debt.
Your right: Under the National Credit Code, CBA must respond to your hardship notice within 21 days. They must genuinely consider your request.
What to say: Ask for 'financial hardship assistance'. Options include loan deferrals, reduced repayments, and fee waivers.
Your right: Must respond to hardship applications within 21 days and offer genuine alternatives if they decline.
What to say: Ask for 'financial difficulty support'. They can pause repayments, extend loan terms, and waive fees.
Your right: Must respond within 21 days. If they refuse, you can escalate to AFCA for free.
What to say: Ask for 'NAB Assist'. They offer payment pauses, reduced repayments, and restructured loans.
Your right: Must assess your situation and respond within 21 days under the National Credit Code.
What to say: Ask for 'financial hardship assistance'. Options vary by product type.
Your right: Must respond to hardship notices within 21 days.
What to say: Ask for 'financial hardship support'. They can defer home loan repayments and adjust personal loan terms.
Your right: Must genuinely consider your hardship request and respond within 21 days.
What to say: Ask for 'financial hardship assistance'. They can offer payment extensions, spend controls, and switching to a cheaper plan with no break fees.
Your right: Under the Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code, Telstra must offer you a payment arrangement and not disconnect while you're engaging in good faith.
What to say: Ask for 'financial hardship support'. Options include payment plans, spend management tools, and plan downgrades.
Your right: Must offer a payment arrangement before taking any restriction or disconnection action.
What to say: Ask for 'financial hardship help'. They can set up a payment plan, reduce your plan cost, or apply credits.
Your right: Must work with you on an affordable payment arrangement before disconnection.
What to say: Ask for 'financial hardship assistance'. They can defer payments and adjust plan costs.
Your right: Must offer a payment arrangement under the TCP Code.
These organisations provide free, professional help. Tap any number to call.
See services near you — select your state above to show local services alongside national ones.
Free, independent, and confidential financial counselling. Call to speak to a qualified financial counsellor.
Peak body for financial counsellors — find a financial counsellor near you via their directory
Free financial counselling including budgeting, debt management, and Centrelink appeals
No or low-interest loans for essentials like fridges, washing machines, cars, and education
Free legal advice on banking, insurance, debt, and financial services disputes
Free supermarket and food rescue. Operates free supermarkets and delivers rescued food.
Food parcels, vouchers, household goods, and financial assistance for urgent needs
Free dispute resolution for complaints about banks, insurers, financial advisers, and superannuation
Free dispute resolution for phone and internet complaints that your provider hasn't resolved
National consumer protection. Report scams, unfair practices, and get information about your consumer rights.
Looking for more? Browse the full service directory
TEKVA helps working Australians bridge the gap during tough times. If you need immediate support with essentials while you get back on your feet, we may be able to help.