Demand for Small Business Debt Helpline surges as thousands of business owners seek financial support

Demand for the Small Business Debt Helpline (SBDH) continues to rise sharply, highlighting the growing financial and personal strain facing small business owners across Australia.

For the 12 months to 31 December 2025, the Helpline provided more than 6,000 cases of assistance, representing a 21% increase on the previous year.

Helen Davis, General Manager of the SBDH, said the high demand for the free, independent financial counselling service reflects the difficult reality many small business owners are facing.

“We are hearing from small business owners who are under enormous pressure and often carrying that burden alone,” Ms Davis said.

“For many people, picking up the phone to the helpline usually comes at a time when the stress has become overwhelming. These conversations are often deeply emotional and our financial counsellors listen, provide reassurance and help people feel less alone while they work through their options,” she said.

Over the life of the service, the Helpline has supported more than 18,500 cases involving more than 16,000 unique small businesses, demonstrating sustained and increasing demand.

The most common debts were:

• ATO debts (64%)
• Business loans (both bank and non-bank)
• Home mortgages
• Motor vehicle finance
• Supplier debts
• Lease of business premises, other personal and business debts were also frequently seen

“We assisted clients within excess of $429 million in debts to ATO and the median ATO debt size was $70k,” Ms Davis said.

The data underscores the importance of tailored financial counselling for the small business community. The helpline is the only national specialist small business financial counselling service.

“Every day we speak with business owners who are hit by a combination of rising costs, debt and external shocks. It’s been a really rough trot for so many people and

anyone can find themselves in financial trouble,” said Anna Dooland, a financial counsellor with the helpline.

 

The SBDH provides small business owners with somewhere safe to turn for both practical guidance and emotional support when things get tough,” Ms Dooland said.

 

Financial counsellors are trained to recognise when someone is struggling emotionally, as well as financially, and the feedback from clients is proof their work is invaluable.

 

“I felt safe and heard without any judgment throughout the process. I would like to say thank you so much for taking the time and explaining everything over and over to make sure I completely understood,” said one small business owner in their feedback.

 

“Brian has been like an angel on my shoulder, I have no doubt that without his help I may not be here today,” said another.

 

ENDS

 

A summary of the 2025 data for the Small Business Debt Helpline is available here.

Media contact: [email protected]

 

IMPORTANT NOTE TO REPORTERS: Please include the contact details for SBDH at the end of your story so that small business owners in financial stress know where to go for help.

Call 1800 413 828 or visit sbdh.org.au