Submission: Inquiry into Competition in the Australian Financial System

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action), Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) and the Financial Rights Legal Centre (Financial Rights) have welcomed the Productivity Commission’s review of c...

September 22, 2017

Submission: Comment on ASIC CP 284: Example statement of advice for life insurance—Update to RG 90

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on ASIC’s draft Regulatory Guide 90: Example statement of advice: Scaled advice for new customer and Consultation Paper 284. We appreciate the complex and exte...

August 21, 2017

How the National Debt Helpline is stopping bullies and giving hope

Elizabeth Minter As a journalist, I've had my share of vicarious experience of the shadowy side of life: sign up for a courts round covering criminal cases and you soon realise how lucky you ar...

July 4, 2017

Future of Financial Advice – Post Implementation Review submission

The Consumer Action Law Centre is pleased to provide a submission in response to the Consultation Paper prepared as part of the Post Implementation Review of the Future of Financial Advice reforms....

June 14, 2017

Federal Circuit Court Financial Counselling Project Evaluation

Since September 2014, the Federal Circuit Court (FCC) in Melbourne has provided direct financial counselling services to self-represented debtors in the FCC’s Bankruptcy Lists. This pilot service, imp...

July 14, 2016

“Because you need an interpreter should not disadvantage you and you should not be punished for it”

Funding for the Telephone Interpreter Service must be restored. Email EO@FCRC.org.au to find out more....

March 4, 2016

Too many Australians have suffered at the hands of financial advisers

  Consumer Action Law Centre welcomes reports that independent Senator Nick Xenophon MP and Labor Senator Sam Dastyari have called for a last resort compensation scheme for financial services...

April 22, 2015

Consumer Advocates and Financial Counsellors applaud Federal Parliament’s move to scrap $120 bankruptcy fee

Consumer advocates and financial counsellors have applauded Federal Parliament’s move to stop the Australian Financial Security Authority charging individuals a $120 to declare bankruptcy. The fee, i...

June 24, 2014

Plan ahead to avoid the New Year credit crunch

In the months after Christmas our financial counsellors hear from hundreds of Victorians struggling with Christmas debt. Their credit card bills have arrived and the cost of presents and festivities,...

October 9, 2013

Will consolidating my debts help?

Key message Get advice about all your options before: taking out a new loan to pay all your existing loans taking out a loan to consolidate your debt For free, independent and confidenti...

June 30, 2013

Cancelling a direct debit on a statement account

Key Message: You can cancel a direct debit from your bank account (not a credit card); Get advice about the consequences of not paying a debt before you stop payments. What is a direct debi...

June 30, 2013

Debt collection – your right to stop contact

Key Message: A creditor or debt collector must not contact you about a debt if you tell them in writing not to contact you about the debt. However, the debt collector can make a genuine threat of...

June 30, 2013

What can I do if I am having difficulty paying my loan or lease payments?

Key points: if you cannot pay your loan or lease because you are in financial difficulty (hardship) you may have the right to have your payments reduced, or changed in some other way. this i...

June 25, 2013

Submission: ASIC Consultation Paper on an online database for small amount lenders

Joint submission with Financial Counselling Australia and the Consumer Credit Legal Service (WA) to ASIC's Consultation Paper on an online database for small amount lenders. The Consumer Action Law Ce...

March 4, 2013

Water debt

[box type="note" icon="none"] Use this information sheet if You are having problems paying your water bill Your water business is demanding that you pay more than you can afford You want to kno...

September 27, 2012

Electricity and gas debt

Use this information sheet if: you are having trouble paying your electricity or gas bill; or you want information about payment arrangements and your rights. You do have rights under the E...

September 26, 2012

Home Repossession

[box type="note" icon="none"] Use this Fact Sheet if: You are being pursued for payment of a debt; and You are threatened with court action to take possession of your home or other house or land....

September 26, 2012

Debt Collection – Seeking Compensation in VCAT

Use this factsheet if you: are being hassled by a debt collector think that a debt collector or a creditor might be acting unfairly or unlawfully want to seek compensation for the distress...

September 26, 2012

What if I have been sued for a debt?

Key message Act quickly to get advice if you have been sued for a debt in the Magistrate’s Court of Victoria. The Magistrates Court Process If the amount owed is $100,000 or less, a creditor...

June 11, 2012

Do I have to pay an old debt?

Key Messages: There are time limits for taking legal action.  This means that your debts may become too old for a creditor to successfully take legal action against you. Get advice before maki...

March 20, 2012

Debt collection – I’m being hassled by a debt collector, what should I do?

Use this fact sheet if you: are being hassled by a debt collector; or think that a debt collector or a creditor might be acting unfairly or unlawfully What do I do if I am being hassled b...

March 8, 2012

Debt collection – What can I do if a debt collector calls?

Use this fact sheet if: a creditor or debt collector has contacted you demanding that you pay a consumer debt; and legal proceedings have not been issued. If your problem relates to Centrel...

March 8, 2012