Increase in the number of people seeking help from the National Debt Helpline: Financial Counselling Australia
January 16, 2025
There’s been a significant increase in the number of people reaching out to the National Debt Helpline (NDH) over the past year.
During 2024 more than 169,000 people called in or used the online chat tool to seek help from financial counsellors – a 12% increase on 2023.
Total visits to the NDH website also increased with almost 647,000 visits last calendar year compared with 490,522 the year before. That’s a 32% increase.
The NDH is a free and independent service for people in financial hardship which is coordinated by Financial Counselling Australia (FCA).
“The increase in people coming to the NDH for help shows how difficult it is for many people at the moment,” said Peter Gartlan, co-CEO of FCA.
“Cost of living pressures are mounting and having a significant impact on the financial well-being of many thousands of Australians.
“The good news is, there is help available and you don’t have to pay for it. Financial counsellors are professionally trained and able to guide those who are struggling with debt and bills.
People contact the NDH for various reasons but the top issues over 2024 were the following:
- Housing stress (mortgage, rent, rates and body corporate)
- Utilities
- Credit card debt
- Personal loans
- Buy now pay later
- ATO debt
Data from Tasmania
Anglicare Tasmania operates the National Debt Helpline in Tasmania. Our professional counsellors provide advice that is free and confidential.
In 2023 there were 3,203 calls and online chats made to the NDH. In 2024 this rose to 3,700 – a 15.5% increase.
Issues of concern from Tasmanian callers included mortgage repayments, high rent, ATO debt, utilities, car insurance and Buy Now Pay Later loans.
A full set of State and Territory data can be found on the NDH website’s data portal.
Do you need support?
Anyone who is struggling financially can contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or visit ndh.org.au for self-help and chat.
Information about Anglicare’s financial counselling service is available here.
