Managing Your Money Well
Managing Your Money Well

Helpful Services

Need a hand?

Do you have a financial problem which you need some help with? Are you behind on your bills and need some help? Need some legal advice about a consumer issue? Or a safe and secure loan? There are plenty of services who can assist with a number of financial issues, check them out below.

Free Financial Counselling Services

South Coast & Country Community Law
South Coast & Country Community Law (previously known as Shoalcoast Community Legal Centre) provides free financial counselling services by telephone or face to face appointments to all residents of the Shoalhaven.
Click here for more information
National Debt Helpline
The National Debt Helpline is a not-for-profit service that helps people tackle their debt problems. We’re not a lender and we don’t ‘sell’ anything or make money from you. Our professional financial counsellors offer a free, independent and confidential service.
Click here for more information
GambleAware - Illawarra and Southern NSW
The GambleAware service in Illawarra and Southern NSW provides free, confidential, non-judgmental support for anyone affected by gambling harm. Services include: Gambling counselling, financial counselling, peer support, education and SMART Recovery groups. Support is provided face-to-face, or via telephone or video.
Click Here for more information
Shoalhaven Women's Health Centre - Financial Counselling
Financial Counselling is a free, confidential and non-judgemental service that can assist those in financial difficulty to explore their financial options. This includes providing information and advice on creating sustainable budgets, planning for changes in income and expenses, setting goals and managing debt, including advocating for you with creditors. Please ask about our outreach services within the Shoalhaven.
Click Here for more information
Anglicare - Nowra - Financial Counselling
When your bills are piling up and you’re struggling to get by from week-to-week, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Anglicare’s Financial Counsellors can offer you the expert financial help you need to get you back on your feet… so you can live the flourishing, worry-free life that you’ve been dreaming of.
Click Here for more information
Southern Youth and Family Services - Financial Counselling
The Program provides assistance with budgeting, debts, contract negotiations and other impacting financial issues to young people aged 12 to 25 years in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven area who are vulnerable, disadvantaged, homeless or those at risk. This Program operates from Wollongong, Shellharbour and Nowra. Staff onsite can assist with: Debts Budgeting Arrears Collection agencies and more
Click Here for more inforation
Mob Strong Debt Help
We are a free nationwide legal advice and financial counselling service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We have information about things like Money Problems, Debt or Insurance & Super.
Click Here for more information
Small Business Debt Helpline
If you or someone you know is struggling with their business finances, call us. Our small business financial counsellors will give you free, independent and confidential advice.
Click Here
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Alternatives to Pay Day Loans

No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS)
No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) is a safe, affordable and fair loan offered to people with a low income. Loans of up to $1,500 are offered to eligible recipients, and can go to essential goods, like fridges, washing machines, essential service or medical treatment or education expenses. NILS is offered in over 170 local communities organisations, in over 600 communities.
Click here for more information
Centrelink Advance
You may get part of your income support payment or Family Tax Benefit (Part A) early. This is an advance payment. You pay it back later out of your payments from the Australian Taxation Office.
Click here for more information
Saver Plus Program
Saver Plus is a 10 month financial education and matched savings program that assists families to gain financial skills, establish a savings goal and develop long term saving habits. As an incentive to save, participants receive up to $500 in matched savings when they complete the program which can be used for educational costs such as computers and tablets, text books and uniforms.
Click Here for more information
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Helpful Services

Moneysmart. gov.au
During challenging times, making financial decisions can feel overwhelming. There's support and services available to help you. Find help with - Financial Counselling - Urgent help with money - Save for an emergency fund - Managing on a low income - Problems paying your bills
Click here for more information
Anglicare
Anglicare offers a wide variety of support within the Shoalhaven, including family services, op shops and a regular community pantry at All Saints Anglican Church, Nowra and at St Stephen's Anglican Church Bomaderry.
Click here for more information
Nowra Community Food Store
Nowra Community Food Store is a low-cost grocery store for people in our community struggling to afford life’s basic essentials. Anyone on a low income or simply doing it tough is welcome to shop in our store. We source our groceries from Foodbank NSW, clearance warehouses, OzHarvest and generous donations from the community. Prices are marked and our friendly volunteers are here to help.
Click here for more information
Salt Care - Salt Store
Salt Store is for people who are socially disadvantaged or struggling, to give them the opportunity to collect groceries for a gold coin donation. Each family is able to access The Salt Store once a week to help stretch the budget. We are situated at 5-19 Birriley Street, Bomaderry. Additionally, on Thursdays, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy morning tea. Moreover, we host a clothing store at Bomaderry Community Hall on Thursdays, providing both morning tea and clothing options alongside the opportunity to collect a grocery hamper.
Click here for more information
The Ulladulla Food Store
Free fruit, vegetables and bread after buying food Low cost groceries and toiletries $5 Membership Location: Ulladulla Community and Districts Resource Centre Days Available: Wednesdays & Fridays Time: 9:30am - 11:00am
Click here for more information
Services NSW
The NSW Government is helping ease the cost of living with more than 70 rebates and savings. You can browse NSW Government rebates and savings on the click below.
Click here for more information
SSPAN - Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention & Awareness Network
The Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention and Awareness Network (SSPAN) is a network of representatives from the Shoalhaven community, government and non-government organisations. They work closely with the community to raise awareness of suicide; promote recovery from mental illness; and build individual and community resilience; with the aim of reducing the impact of suicide in the Shoalhaven.
Click here for more information
EWON - Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW
Rebates, counselling and other resources to help you with paying energy and water bills.
Click here for more information
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Free Legal Advice Services

South Coast & Country Community Law
South Coast & Country Community Law (previously known as Shoalcoast Community Legal Centre) provides free legal service by telephone or face to face appointments to all residents of the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla, Bega Valley, Snowy Monaro and Queanbeyan/Palerang Local Government Areas.

Find out more here
Click here for more information
Financial Rights Legal Centre
The Financial Rights Legal Centre is a community legal centre specialising in financial services, particularly in the areas of consumer credit, banking, debt recovery and insurance. We offer advice and advocacy for people in financial stress.
Click here for more information
Legal Aid NSW Law Access
Law Access NSW is a starting point for all legal advice. You can contact Law Access from 9am-5am Monday to Friday for free legal advice, information and referrals, available to all NSW residents with a legal issue. Alternatively, you can access their website which has useful resources and information regarding legal matters.
Click here for more information
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Scam Alert!

Beware of Unauthorised Websites and Social Media Accounts.

Good Shepherd and its network of No Interest Loans (NILS) providers will never ask for private information via social media when you apply for a loan. Be cautious of scammers posing as NILS providers and avoid sharing personal details on social media platforms. To find legitimate NILS providers, use this official site.

For more information on potential scams and how to protect yourself, click here to read the joint advice from Good Shepherd and the Department of Social Services.