Geelong residents facing rental or mortgage stress will have more access to counselling services thanks to the state government.
Minister for Consumer Affairs Nick Staikos visited Meli Community in Geelong to announce that 16 organisations across the state would share $15 million in funding over three years.
Mr Staikos said the funding would help expand and support services offered to thousands of Victorians experiencing financial hardship due to mortgage or rental stress.
“We’re investing in our financial counselling services and workforce so organisations can offer free help to thousands more Victorians,” he said.
“As Victorian families continue to face cost of living pressures our financial counselling services are there to help people to get their financial situation back on track.”
The funding will bring the number of frontline service support positions across the state to 37 to help people get their finances back on track through methods like working out payment plans.
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said the grants would support primary producers and small businesses in Western and Northern Victoria.
“This funding will have real benefits to those doing it tough in Geelong and it will give more people professional financial support when they need it close to home,” she said.
“This is one of a suite of measures to ease cost of living pressures, building on other policies such as capping fuel price increases, delivering free kinder, and the $400 school saving bonus.”
The Consumer Action Law Centre will also receive a funding boost to deliver specialist worker support services and give frontline workers access to advice and training to provide high-quality services.
Contact the National Debt Helpline at ndh.org.au or 1800 007 007 to find the closest financial counselling provider.
