EOFY NATIONAL DEBT HELPLINE MEDIA RELEASE

Demand for support via the National Debt Helpline hits all time high

More than 183,000 people reached out for support via the National Debt Helpline (NDH) during the 2025-26 financial year, making it the free service’s biggest year ever. This represents an increase of 9% on the previous financial year (from 168,148 to 183,228).

CEO of Financial Counselling Australia (FCA), which coordinates the service, Dr Domenique Meyrick said this shows just how hard many people are finding things.

“This data is very concerning. The NDH received 15-thousand more calls and chats in the 25/26 financial year than in 24/25. Those numbers represent people who are worried about their financial future and their families,” Dr Meyrick said.

Demand for face-to-face financial counselling is also high with many agencies telling FCA they are experiencing an increase in demand.

There was also an increase in the number pages views on the NDH website with more than 800 thousand in FY 25/26 – a 4% increase on the previous financial year.

“Financial counsellors are hearing from people who are highly distressed and having to make some very tough decisions about what debts they can afford to pay.”

The most common reasons for contacting the NDH are:

• Mortgage
• Credit cards
• Personal loans (unsecured)
• Utilities
• ATO debt

However, most callers experience multiple overlapping issues rather than a single source of difficulty.

“This reinforces the need for holistic, client-centred hardship responses from creditors,” Dr Meyrick said.

NDH data also shows more than 40% of callers are in paid work highlighting that financial hardship is not limited to those outside the workforce.

People seek support from NDH’s confidential and professional financial counsellors via the 1800 007 007 phone line, as well as via the live chat function on ndh.org.au.

Self-help guides on a range of topics are also available on the website.

“We want people to know there is free support available. Please reach out for help if you’re worried about your finances,” Dr Meyrick said.

Specific state and territory data can be found on the NDH website’s data portal.

Note to media:

Please include the following contact details at the end of stories on financial hardship to ensure your readers, viewers and listeners know how to seek free and independent assistance.

Anyone who is struggling financially can contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or visit ndh.org.au for self-help and chat.

For further information or to arrange an interview contact Maura Angle on 0418 334 121 or email [email protected].