If you’re retired and need help with money or other challenges, it can be hard to know where to start. You are not alone and there are services that can help you.
The Australian government, community organisations and charities have created a range of services that can help you understand your options, get the right information and find support when you need it.
Get urgent help
If you are struggling to pay your bills, facing eviction or experiencing financial hardship, there are services that can provide urgent help.
- The National Debt Helpline (NDH) provides free help on 1800 007 007. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm and offers live chat Monday to Friday 9:00am to 8:00pm. The NDH offers simple guides to help you get your finances on track.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can call the free Mob Strong Debt Helpline on 1800 808 488. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm.
- If you have been scammed or tricked into sending someone money, contact your bank or credit union immediately. Take action quickly by following the steps on what to do if you have been scammed.
For more ways to get help in a crisis, see urgent help with money.
Sarah gets help to manage her credit card debt
Sarah, 67, began using her credit card for everyday expenses after her landlord raised the rent. At first, she managed by making minimum payments, but over time late fees and interest made the debt unmanageable. Feeling overwhelmed, Sarah called the National Debt Helpline. A financial counsellor listened to her story and helped her contact her bank’s financial hardship team. The bank agreed to reduce her monthly payments to make them more affordable. With this support, Sarah was able to get her finances back under control.
Get financial guidance
Services Australia’s Financial Information Service (FIS) offers free, impartial and confidential information about money and retirement.
You can get help face-to-face, on the phone or online, and there are online webinars on a wide range of finance topics. While FIS cannot give financial advice or counselling, it can provide information, tools and resources to help you make financial decisions.
If you’re struggling with bills or debt, financial counselling is a free and confidential service offered by community organisations. Find a financial counsellor in your area.
Some retirees choose to pay for financial advice. Financial advice may help you feel more confident and less stressed in retirement, but it’s important to consider costs. See financial advice for more information.
Your super fund may provide information about investment and insurance options, contributions and consolidating your funds. Some over-the-phone advice from super funds is free. There may be fees for more detailed retirement advice, which could be paid from funds in your super account. Talk to your super fund to find out more.
Help with government payments
The Australian Government, along with state and territory governments, offers financial support, concessions and rebates for retirees to help manage the cost of living.
Find out more about government payments and help services.
Help to manage health concerns
If you have health concerns, the best place to start is with your doctor, who can provide medical advice.
For more general information, HealthDirect offers a 24/7 nurse hotline and website with health advice.
Find out more about managing health costs.
Get aged care advice
My Aged Care is the starting point for finding out about government-funded aged care services. It can help you understand the different types of support available, including help at home, short-term care and residential aged care.
Learn more about options and costs of government-funded aged care.
Help with memory loss or dementia
If you or someone you care for is seeing the warning signs of dementia, the best place to start is with a doctor. They can help work out what is going on and what to do. Dementia Australia can also help you with advice and information.
Learn more about memory loss, dementia and your money.
National and state support services for older Australians
Find an organisation that can help with elder care and support services for seniors.
National
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Australian Government agency responsible for aged care quality and complaints about aged care services 1800 951 822 (Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm - Free call) |
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represents self-funded retirees on issues that affect them |
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consumer body protecting the wellbeing of older people 1300 COTA AU (1300 268 228) |
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provides practical resources and information on elder abuse for both older Australians and the people who care for and support them National Elder Abuse Helpline Helpline – 1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374 – Free call) |
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peak body for people of all ages living with dementia, their family and carers National Dementia Helpline - 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week - Free call) |
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payments and services for retirees and people planning to retire or work past Age Pension age Services Australia Aged Care Line - 1800 227 475 (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm) |
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Australian Government agency which supports Australia’s health and aged care system 1800 020 103 (Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5.30pm) |
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programs, services and grants for seniors 1300 653 227 (Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5pm) |
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advice for veterans on a range of issues, including pensions, health care, home care and housing 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm) |
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access point for Australian Government aged care services 1800 200 422 (Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm; Sat, 10am-2pm) |
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National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation |
programs for Elders and older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people including partnerships with the Department of Health and Aged Care 02 6246 9300 |
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free and independent advice from financial counsellors on how to manage debts 1800 007 007 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-4.30pm – Free call) |
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lobbies government on behalf of people aged 50 and over 1300 76 50 50 (Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5pm) |
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national advocacy and information for people raising a concern or complaint about aged care Aged Care Advocacy Line – 1800 700 600 (Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm; Sat, 10am-4pm) |
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care and support services in urban, rural and remote places 1800 935 483 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4.30pm) |
Australian Capital Territory
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not-for-profit helping older people and their carers connect to services and support 02 6242 5060 |
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Services and support for older Canberrans: ACT government |
services, programs and support for older people living in the ACT and their families, including housing and help at home, healthcare and wellbeing, advocacy and legal support Access Canberra Services – 13 22 81 (Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm; Weekends and public holidays, 9am-5pm) |
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assisting to manage the financial affairs of adults with impaired decision-making capacity, appointing an enduring power of attorney and looking after the rights of adults who can’t make their own decisions 02 6207 9800 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4.30pm) |
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providing legal help to older people in Canberra 1800 353 374 (Mon-Thu, 8.30am-7pm; Fri, 8.30am-5pm) |
Northern Territory
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Office of Senior Territorians: NT government |
information and links for older people and those who provide services to seniors 08 8999 3861 |
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assisting to manage the financial affairs of adults with impaired decision-making capacity, appointing an enduring power of attorney and looking after the rights of adults who can’t make their own decisions 1800 810 979 (Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm) |
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Seniors Rights Service (Darwin Community Legal Service) |
helping older people with their rights 1800 812 953 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm – Free call) |
New South Wales
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Older People's Mental Health (OPMH) services (NSW Health) |
activities and programs to support the mental health and wellbeing of older people 1800 011 511 (24 hours, 7 days a week – Free call) |
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Planning Ahead Tools: NSW government |
tools and resources about wills and powers of attorney |
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tools and resources about elder abuse and information about support services 1800 628 221 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm) |
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community legal centre for older people receiving care at home, in nursing homes and retirement villages 1800 424 079 |
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government-funded organisation which provides advice to older people and offers a specialist elder abuse service 1300 888 529 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) |
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assisting to manage the financial affairs of adults with impaired decision-making capacity, appointing an enduring power of attorney and looking after the rights of adults who can’t make their own decisions 1300 109 290 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) |
Queensland
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not-for-profit supporting the wellbeing of older people 1800 818 338 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm – Free call) |
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Caxton Legal Centre (CLC) Seniors Legal and Support Service (SLASS) |
legal service for seniors 07 3187 7187 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4.30pm) |
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Elder Abuse Prevention Unit (EAPU) UnitingCare Community |
promoting the right of older people to live free from abuse — operates under Lifeline Brisbane 1300 651 192 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) |
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Elder Abuse Prevention and Support Service Relationships Australia - Queensland |
providing individualised support, case management, resources and referrals to protect older people from abuse 1300 364 277 |
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Get help with housing: Queensland Government |
linking to help with renting, housing support and assistance, emergency housing and cost of living Seniors Enquiry Line – 1300 135 500 |
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help for older women in Queensland to find housing and support assistance 1800 366 877 (Mon-Fri, 7.30am-4.30pm. Ask for the HOWSS team) |
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Office of the Public Guardian: Queensland Government |
looking after the rights of adults who can't make their own decisions 1300 653 187 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm) |
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assisting to manage the financial affairs of adults with impaired decision-making capacity, appointing an enduring power of attorney and looking after the rights of adults who can’t make their own decisions 1300 360 044 |
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information and resources on staying active and healthy in older age Seniors Enquiry Line – 1300 135 500 |
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Seniors Enquiry Line UnitingCare Community |
enquiry line for seniors and their families, friends and carers 1300 135 500 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) |
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Seniors one stop shop: Queensland government |
links to Queensland Government services for seniors Seniors Enquiry Line – 1300 135 500 |
South Australia
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supports Elders and older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to understand the aged care system, including identifying the level of care and services required 08 8273 7200 (Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5pm) |
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guidance on how to support older people who are being abused 08 8232 5377 |
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not-for-profit organisation providing advice to seniors on independent living and home support 1800 636 368 |
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provides counselling and mediation to support families who need help negotiating complex issues related to ageing 1300 364 277 (local call) or 1800 182 325 (country callers) |
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helps people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and their families to make informed decisions about their aged care needs 08 8241 9900 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) |
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assisting to manage the financial affairs of adults with impaired decision-making capacity, appointing an enduring power of attorney and looking after the rights of adults who can’t make their own decisions 1800 066 969 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) |
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links to health services for older people 08 8226 6000 |
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Seniors' rights: SA government |
guidance for seniors about their legal rights |
Tasmania
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looking after the rights of seniors 1800 005 131 (Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5.30pm – Free call) |
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programs to promote healthy ageing 03 6231 3265 (Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm) |
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mediation and counselling services for families who need help with issues relating to ageing 1300 364 277 |
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support services for elder abuse 1800 441 169 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm – Free call) |
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looking after the rights of adults who can’t make their own decisions 1800 955 772 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm – Free call) |
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helps older people with the management of their financial affairs, help to appoint an enduring power of attorney and provides links to resources for elder abuse 1800 068 784 |
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lawyers and case managers providing free legal advice, help and support to seniors experiencing or at risk of elder abuse 1300 366 611 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) |
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safety advice and contacts for older people General, non-urgent police matters in Tasmania – 131 444 |
Victoria
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not-for-profit Aboriginal Community Controlled organisation offering a range of residential and community aged care services and outreach to support ATSI Elders in Melbourne and regional Victoria 03 9383 4244 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) |
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Ageing and aged care: Victorian government |
links to the Victorian Government's aged care services 1300 650 172 (Free call from local Victoria, except mobile phones) |
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promoting the rights of Victorians who receive aged care services Aged Care Advocacy Line – 1800 700 600 (Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm; Sat, 10am-4pm – Free call) |
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links to support programs for older Victorians to live independently in the community |
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provides services to older people in Victoria seeking secure, affordable and appropriate housing 1300 765 178 (Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm) |
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looking after the rights of adults who can’t make their own decisions and appointing an enduring power of attorney 1300 309 337 (Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm) |
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Seniors Online: Victorian government |
Victorian Government resources for older Victorians 1300 797 210 (Mon-Fri, 9am-2pm – Free call) |
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information and support to protect the elderly and prevent abuse 1300 368 821 |
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information and support for seniors 1300 138 672 (Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5pm) |
Western Australia
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access to services with universal access, such as parking, toilets, accommodation, sports and recreation 08 9066 5710 |
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advocating for older people and people with disabilities 1800 655 566 (Mon-Fri, 8.30am-4.30pm) |
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information, training, funding and hire services for people to live independent lives 08 9381 0600 (Mon-Fri, 8.30am-4pm) |
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not-for-profit advocating for seniors 08 9362 0100 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm) |
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Seniors Housing: WA government |
advice on housing options for seniors |
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specialist legal advice and assistance service located in the Civil Law Division at Legal Aid WA helping older Western Australians to safeguard their rights and prevent elder abuse 1300 650 579 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm) |
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assisting to manage the financial affairs of adults with impaired decision-making capacity, appointing an enduring power of attorney and looking after the rights of adults who can’t make their own decisions 1300 858 455 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4.30pm) |
Key actions you can take
- For urgent help with food, housing or bills, go to urgent help with money for a list of organisations that can help.
- If you’re struggling to pay the mortgage, credit card or bills, get help from a financial counsellor.
- Find out about government payments and managing health costs at Services Australia.
- Book in to watch a live retirement webinar with the Financial Information Service (FIS) or make an appointment to speak to a FIS officer.
- Find out more about options and costs of government-funded aged care