Assistance agencies
Welfare agencies
The following organisations may be able to assist you if you are experiencing financial or personal difficulty. Some of the organisations may be able to provide you with electricity or water vouchers if you are in financial crisis and unable to pay your utility bills.
Anglicare
Anglicare provides practical support, in partnership with
the Anglican community, offering emergency relief, services,
and assistance for individuals and families in crisis.
Centrecare
Centrecare provides
counselling, mediation, accommodation and training services. Their aim is to help people develop to their full potential.
Lifeline
Lifeline provides a 24-hour telephone counselling, information
and referral service with a national accessible number for
the cost of a local call.
Mission Australia
Mission Australia is a non-denominational Christian organisation
which aims to empower disadvantaged and isolated individuals, families and communities by giving them the support they need to get back on track, and lead more fulfilling lives.
Neighbourhood and Community Centres
Neighbourhood and Community Centres in NSW provide a wide range of services within the community.
No Interest Loan Schemes (NILS)
A list of agencies that provide No Interest Loans to low-income households.
St
Vincent de Paul Society
The St Vincent de Paul Society provides professional services
and volunteer support to people who are in need. They offer
food, other material assistance, and advice.
The
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army provides practical assistance and material
aid to families and individuals in financial crisis.
Financial counsellors
Credit
Help Line
This is a NSW wide free telephone based service for people
needing advice on debt and other financial problems.
Consumer
Credit Legal Centre
This is a specialist Community Legal Centre (CLC) that assists
NSW consumers of NSW in relation to credit, debt & banking.
Financial
Counsellors Association of NSW
This website has a full listing of financial counsellors
in NSW, arranged by suburb and some tips for budget planning,
saving and information about debt.
Rural
Financial Counsellors Association
Independent Financial Counsellors who provide free, independent
financial advice for farming families and small rural businesses.
G-line
(24 hour gambling helpline) (PDF brochure)
G-line is a 24-hour, 7 days a week, statewide telephone
help line for problem gamblers, their families, friends
and others.
The Smith Family
The Smith Family is an independent, non-religious, non-political not-for-profit organisation aimed at helping the disadvantaged.
Tenancy services
Consumer,
Trader & Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT)
The CTTT is a specialist dispute resolution forum for consumer,
trader and tenancy matters.
Housing
Appeals Committee (for DOH)
The Housing Appeals Committee (HAC) is an independent agency
that can review decisions made by public housing providers.
Office
of Fair Trading – Tenancy Information Service
The Office of Fair Trading provides a free information service
to tenants, landlords and agents on their rights and responsibilities
under the tenancy law.
Tenants
Advice and Advocacy Service (TAAS)
Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services (TAAS) help both private
and public tenants by providing tenancy advice, information
and advocacy.
Tenants’ Union of NSW (TU)
The Tenants Union represent the interests of all tenants
in NSW. This includes private and public tenants, boarders
and lodgers and residential park residents.
Indigenous services
Aboriginal
Children's Service
The Aboriginal Children's Service is a foster care agency
funded by the Department of Community Services, and provides
care and protection for indigenous children, as well as
an Aboriginal foster parent program.
Aboriginal
Hostels Limited
Aboriginal Hostels Limited provides temporary accommodation
to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout
Australia.
Aboriginal
Housing Company Ltd
This service works to find places for Aboriginal & Torres
Strait Islander families in affordable housing.
Aboriginal
Justice Advisory Council
The Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council is a council of
Aboriginal people established to provide advice to the New
South Wales Government on law and justice issues affecting
Aboriginal people in NSW.
Aboriginal
Medical Service
The Aboriginal Medical Service offers medical services to
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Indigenous
Land Corporation
The Indigenous Land Corporation assists Indigenous people
in Australia to acquire and manage indigenous land in a
sustainable way to provide cultural, social, economic or
environmental benefits for themselves and for future generations.
NSWALC
(NSW Aboriginal Land Council)
The NSW NSWALC is a peak representative body responsible
for protecting and promoting the rights of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people in NSW with a significant
emphasis on land.
Local Aboriginal Land Council contacts can be found on
this site. They are responsible for supporting their membership
towards social and economic empowerment. These include making
land claims under the Act, supporting business ventures,
administering housing, assisting members with training opportunities
and other projects.
NSW
Department of Aboriginal Affairs
NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs are responsible for
the Aboriginal Communities Development Program and the Grants
Program. They assist Aboriginal people trace their family
history by providing access to the archives of the Aborigines
Welfare Board and Aborigines Protection Board and develop
policies and projects on community and social justice issues.
Ethnic organisations
Department
of Immigration and Citizenship
Contains details about sources
of information and assistance that migrants may find of
use.
Ethnic
Communities Council
The Ethnic Communities' Council (ECC) of NSW is a non-government
peak body representing thousands of people from ethnic communities
throughout the state. They actively promote the principles
of multiculturalism, and lobby for the development of culturally
inclusive society.
Community
Relations Commission for a Multicultural NSW (CRC)
The Community Relations Commission for a multicultural NSW
(CRC) is a NSW State Government organisation that promotes
multiculturalism, ethnic affairs, cultural diversity, community
unity and harmony.
Migrant
Resource Centres
Migrant Resource Centres are independent community organisations
that provide free advice, information and referrals to migrants
and refugees on a range of issues.
Translating
and Interpreting Service (TIS)
The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) is for people
who do not speak English and for English speakers needing
to communicate with them.
Legal services
Access to Justice
(Australia-wide) For information and contact details of legal services such as Legal Aid, community legal centres, family relationship centress and dispute resolution services.
Community
Legal Centres
Community Legal Centres are independent, non-profit community
organisations providing free legal advice, information and
referrals for individuals and communities across New South
Wales. To find a community legal centre near you visit the directory
of the Community
Legal Centres around Australia, sorted by State.
Law
Access NSW
(NSW only) A free government service that provides
help to people with a legal problem or query.
Lawlink
NSW
Provides information about law and justice agencies
and services.
Law Society of NSW
Offers a solicitor referral service and 'find a lawyer' facility.
Legal
Aid Commission NSW
An independent statutory
body providing legal aid and other legal services to
disadvantaged people.
Legal
Information Access Centre (LIAC)
Provides access to legal information for the general
public in NSW. It is based in the State Library of NSW and
operates through the state-wide public library network.
