Financial Counselling
The UMSU Legal Service also has a free financial counselling service for students who are struggling with debts, or who want more control over their financial situation.
A financial counsellor can provide advice on issues including:
- Managing rent and accommodation expenses
- Utility bills – gas, electricity, water
- Phone and internet debts
- Credit and store cards
- Credit reports
- Personal & car loans
- Motor vehicle accident debts
Public transport passes may also be available to eligible students.
To access the financial counselling service, please complete our online contact form here.
Please note that the financial counsellor doesn't give out loans or grants. To explore your options for grants and loans, and also for assistance with Centrelink, please contact Stop 1.
Further resources
The National Debt Helpline provides free financial counselling help.
Ombudsman services
Some industries have ombudsmen that can assist you with dispute resolution. Ombudsmen are independent, impartial and provide a free service. They investigate complaints which have not been solved by the organisation complained against. Ombudsmen investigate complaints when something has been handled badly or unfairly, making someone suffer as a result. Before making a complaint to an ombudsman, you usually need to have tried to sort your issue out with the organisation directly.
For complaints about banks and financial institutions: Australian Financial Complaints Authority (incorporating the former Financial Ombudsman Service)
For complaints about telephone and internet providers: Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
For complaints about gas, electricity and water providers: Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria
Debt and financial information
MoneySmart
MoneySmart: Dealing with debt collectors
Victoria Legal Aid: Debt
Centrelink and social security
The UMSU Legal Service provides legal help with some Centrelink and social security matters. You can contact us here.
You can also contact Social Security Rights Victoria, another free legal service which specialises in Centrelink and social security.
The information on this website is not legal advice. It is legal information only. If you are a current University of Melbourne student who requires legal advice, please contact the UMSU Legal Service here.
Last updated: 6 February 2024