Support for the financial impact of an emergency.
If you are in immediate danger of any kind, call 000. For help with flood, storm, tsunami and earthquake emergency call the State Emergency Service on 132 500 (same number, all states).
Emergencies can happen at any time, and the costs can be overwhelming. It’s important to know that help is available through a range of Australia-wide support services.
Managing unexpected costs
Unexpected costs can cause financial hardship. This is when your income cannot cover the cost of living, affecting your ability to make repayments on loans, deal with debts, and keep up with bills.
What you can do
Banks, utility providers and telecommunications companies (‘telcos’) have hardship departments you can talk to if your circumstances change because of an emergency. By giving them a call, and telling them about the financial difficulties you are facing, they can help you access short-term support.
Where to find information
Financial hardship fact sheet – key terms explained by the Financial Rights Legal Centre and how to apply for a hardship variation.
📌 For information on bills and help for what to do when you’re having trouble paying, see our paying bills page.
Loans and debt in emergencies
If you don’t have savings, then an emergency can create financial pressure. Taking out a loan might be one way of dealing with these unexpected circumstances and additional costs.
Read about Loans and Debt and Payment Options to learn how the various lending products work, or consider whether a no interest loan could suit your situation.
No interest loans
No Interest Loans (NILs) allow you to borrow money to help you get back on your feet without having any of the crippling interest or high fees that come with other types of loans.
How does it work?
NILs are typically offered for up to $2,000-$3,000 for rent or bonds, essentials like fridges, washing machines, furniture, kitchenware, medical expenses, car repairs, education fees, and other goods and services you might need to get back on your feet.
There are certain rules around who can apply for NILs. Broadly, you must:
- have a Health Care Card, a Pensioner Concession Card (or an income less than $45,000 per year after tax)
- have lived at your current address for more than three months
- show that you can repay the loan.
Unfortunately, it can take some time for NILs loans to be approved and come through, so keep that in mind when applying.
Who provides NILs?
NILs are a service offered by community organisations. You can find providers over at the Good Shepherd website.
Making an insurance claim
You might have an insurance policy that can cover some or all of the cost of an emergency. Making a claim on your insurance is when you tell the insurance company that you have suffered a loss or damage that you understand to be covered by your policy.
The process you need to follow when making a claim will differ based on your insurer and the type of insurance you’re claiming – though there are some commonalities between the providers.
General guide to making a claim
| Gather the information | Gather all the information you can about the event and have all the details of your insurance policy at hand | |
| Make a claim | Contact your insurer and make a claim, which could mean providing proof of the event | |
| Wait for an answer | The insurer reviews your claim and judges if the event is covered by the policy | |
| Success? | If the claim is accepted, the insurer covers the cost of replacement, repair of your property or payout to you according to the terms of your policy | |
| Keep a record | It’s recommended to keep a record of all interactions with your insurer | |
If you are claiming insurance after a natural disaster like a bushfire or a flood, you might want to take a look at the Extreme Weather Insurance Checklist from the Financial Rights Legal Centre.
Insurance ‘excess’
Depending on your policy and the circumstances of your claim, you may need to pay an ‘excess’. The excess is a set amount of money that you will pay in the event of making a claim. Not every policy includes an excess, and not every type of claim will require payment of an excess. The amount is also set out in your policy.
📌 See our insurance and making claims page.
Free legal services
You might want to get legal advice, especially if you have been in an accident and you don’t have insurance, or your insurance claim has been refused.
📌 See our free legal services page.
Emergency support services and payments
| Who it is | What they provide | |
| Disaster Assist | Government assistance with a natural disaster | |
| Red Cross | Emergency relief support | |
| Food bank services | Support with food | |
| Centrelink | Crisis support payment for people experiencing financial hardship | |
| Ask Izzy | Everyday necessities and accommodation all around Australia | |
Helplines
| Organisation | How to get help |
| National Debt Helpline Free financial counsellors | 1800 007 007 Online chat |
| Lifeline Crisis support services | 13 11 14 Online chat |
| Beyond Blue Mental health support services | 1300 224 636 Online chat |
| MensLine Australia Information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns | 1300 789 978 Online chat |
| Suicide Call Back Service Specialist counselling services | 1300 659 467 Online chat |
This information was last updated on 5 June 2023.
The links and resources in this article have been compiled and reviewed by the Brotherhood of St. Laurence. We aren’t responsible for what you’ll find at the links, though we do hope you find the information useful. See our disclaimer if you’d like to know more.
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