People experience financial issues for many reasons: unexpected job loss or income reduction, failure of a business, relationship breakdown, “bill shock”, or natural disaster. It doesn’t matter what age group or income bracket you fall into; no one is immune!

Lifeline Northern Beaches has expert financial counsellors who are trained to help you understand your situation, and find a way out. Education is a key part of what we do: we believe that by empowering people to become financially knowledgeable, we can help them manage better now and in the long term.

During financial counselling sessions, we help clients to prepare a money plan, learn more about their rights and obligations, explore their options, and discover how to voice their negotiations with creditors or other authorities.

We look at all options to try to avoid bankruptcy, and will advocate on behalf of clients when necessary. In some case we will refer clients on to legal, accounting or government services (and as a last resort, we can help complete bankruptcy papers).

Clients are referred to us by telephone Crisis Supporters, face-to-face counsellors, social workers, creditors, doctors, solicitors, the internet, and the Australian Financial Security Authority. We also run community education sessions to help encourage greater financial knowledge amongst the greater community.