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Help

Money Trouble

Where musicians in NSW can get help with bills, rent, food and debt. It costs nothing to call any of these services.

Call first
1800 959 500Support Act. Free counselling for anyone in music, day or night.
1800 007 007National Debt Helpline. Free advice on bills and debt.
1800 152 152Link2home. Call if you have nowhere to sleep tonight.
1

If You Need Help Today

Link2home24 hours
  • WhatHelp to find somewhere to stay if you are homeless or about to lose your home.
  • Call1800 152 152, day or night.
  • Linknsw.gov.au
Vinnies NSWFood and bills
  • WhatFood parcels, groceries, clothes, fuel cards and help paying bills.
  • Call13 18 12 and press 3. Many Vinnies centres also take walk-ins.
  • Linkvinnies.org.au
Salvation Army DoorwaysFood and bills
  • WhatFood vouchers, help with bills, and a caseworker who can link you to other help.
  • Call13 72 58.
  • Linksalvationarmy.org.au
OzHarvest MarketFree food
  • WhatFree groceries. You don't need ID or a card. Take what you need.
  • Where95 Wellington St, Waterloo. Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 2pm.
  • Linkozharvest.org
Lifeline24 hours
  • WhatSomeone to talk to when things feel too much.
  • Call13 11 14, or text 0477 13 11 14.
  • Linklifeline.org.au
2

Help from the Music Industry

Support Act Crisis ReliefGrants
  • WhoMusicians, crew, managers and other music workers who have worked in Australian music for five years and can't work because of illness, injury, mental health or another crisis.
  • WhatSupport Act pays your rent, bills or medical costs straight to the people you owe.
  • HowApply online. You need two referees from music, your income and costs, and a letter or paper about the crisis from the last two months. A social worker contacts you within 21 days.
  • LimitOne grant a year.
  • Call1300 731 303, weekdays 9am to 5pm.
  • Linksupportact.org.au
Support Act First Nations Crisis ReliefGrants
  • WhoAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music workers, on the same terms.
  • Linksupportact.org.au
Support Act Wellbeing Helpline24 hours
  • WhatFree counselling for anyone working in music, and their family. Up to twelve sessions a year by phone, chat or email.
  • Call1800 959 500. Press 3 to talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander counsellor.
  • Linksupportact.org.au
Support Act Tax HelpOverdue returns
  • WhatPays an accountant to lodge tax returns you are behind on. The ATO can set up a payment plan for any tax you owe.
  • Linksupportact.org.au
CrewCareFor crew
  • WhatHelps live production crew apply to Support Act and raises money for its crew fund.
  • Linkcrewcare.org.au
3

Bills, Debt and Loans

National Debt HelplineFree
  • WhatFree financial counsellors who help you sort out bills and debts and make a plan.
  • Call1800 007 007, weekdays 9.30am to 4.30pm. Online chat runs weekdays 9am to 8pm.
  • Linkndh.org.au
Mob Strong Debt HelpFree
  • WhoAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people anywhere in Australia.
  • WhatLegal advice and financial counselling on loans, debts, banks, insurance, super and bills.
  • Call1800 808 488, weekdays 9.30am to 4.30pm.
  • Linkfinancialrights.org.au
Financial Rights Legal CentreFree
  • WhatLegal advice on credit, debt, banking and insurance problems in NSW.
  • Call1800 844 949.
  • Linkfinancialrights.org.au
Energy bill help (EAPA)Power and gas
  • WhatHelp to pay an overdue electricity or gas bill, up to $400 at a time for each.
  • HowApply online through Service NSW, or through a local charity that runs the scheme. Call your energy company first so they hold off on cutting you off.
  • CallService NSW on 13 77 88.
  • Linkservice.nsw.gov.au
Low Income Household Rebate$285 a year
  • WhoPeople with a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or DVA Gold Card.
  • HowCall your electricity company. The rebate comes off your bills.
  • Linkservice.nsw.gov.au
No Interest Loans (NILs)Up to $2,000
  • WhatA loan with no interest or fees for things you need, such as a fridge, a phone, medical costs, repairs or a rental bond. The money goes straight to the seller.
  • WhoPeople with a Health Care or Pension card, or a single income under $70,000.
  • NoteIt can't pay rent, bills, food or old debts.
  • Call13 64 57, weekdays 9am to 4pm.
  • Linknils.com.au
Service NSW Savings FinderFree
  • WhatFinds NSW Government rebates and savings that fit you. Do the online quiz, call, or book a time at a Service NSW centre.
  • Call13 77 88.
  • Linkservice.nsw.gov.au
4

Rent and Housing

Tenants Advice LineFree
  • WhatAdvice for NSW renters on rent you owe, eviction notices and tribunal hearings.
  • Call1800 251 101, Mondays 10am to 1pm and Thursdays 2pm to 5pm. At other times, call your local Tenants Advice service.
  • Linktenants.org.au
Rentstart Bond LoanNo interest
  • WhatA loan with no interest to pay a rental bond. You pay it back over 12 or 18 months.
  • CallHousing Response Centre, 1800 422 322, weekdays 9am to 5pm.
  • Linknsw.gov.au
Rent AssistanceCentrelink
  • WhatExtra money for rent, paid with JobSeeker and other Centrelink payments. Tell Centrelink what rent you pay and it is added.
  • Linkservicesaustralia.gov.au
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