News Articles

As we celebrate NAIDOC Week 8-15 July we continue to hear from the banking Royal Commission about the unscrupulous and aggressive behaviour of businesses targeting Indigenous groups and the use of pressure tactics to sell unnecessary insurance or funeral policies and even cars, luring them into other long term debt scenarios. The Commission sitting through a long list of phone recordings with appalling examples of unfair pressure used by these companies on indigenous and remote families. Some even cloaking themselves with a hint of indigenous namesakes such as the Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund, which has no connection to the Aboriginal Community. Most people in the room visibly shocked by the extent of the deception perpetrated by these companies and individuals.

These predatory types of behaviour are widespread across the entire country and usually target the most vulnerable such as low-income earners, the elderly, new immigrants and people with mental health issues. Promises of quick loans with glossed over high interest; unnecessary insurance and short-term moneylenders paint a rosy picture that often ends with long-term debt for those least likely to cope. People suffering the pressure of financial hardship are more prone to making poor choices, which can leave them worse off. Companies like those mentioned in the Royal Commission are quick to target these groups for this very reason and use key phrases and glib assurances that tick all the boxes for a person under enormous financial pressure to sign on the dotted line without proper consideration.

Its not every day that a Royal Commission comes along to expose such wide ranging breach of trust within the community. Problems and unlawful behaviour can eventually be dealt with through the Australian Securities and Investment Commission who has prosecuted bad business practices and helped award compensation to claimants but this takes time and the damage to people’s lives through such hardship can be disastrous and has long lasting effects in many other ways. The revelations from the Royal Commission highlights the need to truly take into consideration other aspects unique to different groups and communities who may be in more vulnerable positions such as remote Indigenous people.

If you are experiencing financial problems with debt, your starting point should be the National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007 or for those in South Australia ring the Affordable SA Helpline on 1800 025 539. You may seek help from a Financial Counsellor. They are free, independent and confidential. They are able advocate and negotiate on your behalf with creditors.

Getting some control of your finances can help to get you back on track and out of that vulnerable frame of mind. For other cost of living services see the Affordable SA App and use the, “I need help with…” tool to find services that can help.

Scammers have set up a clone of the myGov website to trick you into sharing your login and bank account details.

The scam starts with a phishing email that looks like it is from Medicare, asking you to update your Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) details, so you can start receiving payments for Medicare benefits and claims.

For many musicians the old catchphrase of Sex drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll is more likely to be in reality, a life of homelessness, poverty and mental health issues. Almost 60% of musicians in Australia earn under $10,000 a year and only around 16% earn more than $50,000.

Many musicians and artists are part of the “Working Poor” that are struggling with the increased cost of living pressures. Investing a large chunk of your life into developing your creative abilities rather than immediate financial gains can leave you stranded and feeling overwhelmed. Links between mental health and such earning pressures are a recognised cause and seen as a major issue with many artists facing long-term financial hardship. 

With these factors in mind “Support Act”, an organisation created by musicians to provide support programs to assist musicians with many facets of the industry, has announced a helpline to help deal with the mental health problems faced by musicians. After having tragically lost many in the industry, Support Act, successfully obtained industry funding to help provide a range of support programs focused specifically for those suffering mental health and wellbeing issues in the music industry. 

The Well-Being Helpline 1800 959 500 within Australia is staffed by counselling professionals and available 24/7, 365 days a year. The free and confidential service is available to anyone working in Australian music that needs to talk to someone about any aspects of their well-being. 

Music can bring wonderful joy to your life and plays an important part of the well being for most people but a life in music suffering hardship can see a tragic end to a creative career.

For more information about the helpline or any of the many musician assistance programs provided by Support Act please see www.supportact.org.au

MEGA is sweeping across the country. The Adelaide membership is growing every day with new groups and sessions springing up across Adelaide.

MEGA provides all mothers, grandmothers and mothers to be, of all backgrounds with access to free and low cost exercise options. All MEGA events are facilitated by volunteer mums who are just as keen as you to encourage others to get out and about and into a healthier lifestyle.

"As mothers we often feel we need to prioritise everything else before our own health, finding little time to invest back in ourselves. In addition, many women navigate motherhood in isolation, having little family or community support."

MEGA aims to ensure that no mother is isolated from the community and that every woman is empowered to look after their health and wellbeing. Providing very low-cost fitness and wellbeing training options, and sponsored memberships for women facing hardship.

Most activities are free or low cost (under $10) and a weekly schedule can be obtained by signing up to the closed facebook page. The Adelaide chapter of the group has regular events in Elizabeth Park, Glenelg, Wyn Vale, Windsor Gardens, Surrey Downs, Hackham West, Christies Beach, Para Hills, Mawson Lakes, Clearview and most recently in Hahndorf. Activities and sessions range from Boxing, X-Training, Dance and General Fitness to Yoga. All sessions are child friendly (unless advertised) and are encouraging the next generation into a healthy living lifestyle.

MEGA is a community free from judgement or negativity, helping every woman to feel good about themselves and providing a sisterhood of support. Find out more about MEGA on Affordable SA.

Hopefully this group can develop more regional activities across South Australia and greater ties with community centres especially in isolated areas outside of Adelaide. If you're intested in becoming a volunteer or are a community organiser that may be able to provide support please contact Claire or Candita at adelaide@megamums.com.au

The Australian Securities Investments Commission ASIC is currently promoting a warning to consumers about debt solutions companies that claim they can fix a poor credit rating or providing debt advice that can leave many financially worse off. Consumers should be aware these companies often fail to fix credit and debt issues, and the associated high costs for the service can leave people struggling with even more debt.

Debt management firms can sometimes use high-pressure sales techniques or do not properly explain the costs and fees associated with the service. For some of these companies a simple credit check or a bad credit listing is just a foot in the door to charging you extra fees or ongoing interest charges.

You may have received an incorrect default listing on your credit report that may prevent you from obtaining a loan. Rather than paying one of these companies there are ways of correcting this by using a free service rather than a costly expense that may not resolve the issue. Consumers are entitled to obtain one free copy of their credit report each year from a credit-reporting agency.

Debt consolidation is also a much-discussed topic regarding financial debt strategies raised by such companies. This can sometimes be a good solution but in consolidating your debt you may find yourself pressured into a higher interest loan or one that runs for a lot longer period meaning that you are paying more over time.

People lured into using these services do not realise that many of these types of services are available for free and most financial hardship issues can be negotiated through government sponsored agencies such as the National Debt Helpline and the free Financial Counselling available to people facing financial hardship. There may even be other solutions regarding special concessions or payments that can help bring your level of debt under control and there is emergency relief which can provide food, fuel vouchers or assistance with basic necessities.

Financial counselling can offer independent and confidential financial advice to improve your financial situation in a variety of ways.

People experiencing debt problems can seek free help and guidance from financial counsellors and the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or go to ndh.org.au. South Australians can ring the Affordable SA Helpline on 1800 025 359 to assist in identifying the best service to meet your individual needs. If that is financial counselling they can make an appointment with a counsellor closest to you or provide a referral to another useful service.

For more information and guidance on credit repair, free financial counselling services, and managing debt, visit ASIC’s MoneySmart website.

For those in rural areas the Department of Agriculture runs a Rural Financial Counselling Service to support primary producers, fishermen and small rural businesses that are suffering financial hardship, for further details call 1800 686 175.

You don't know what you don't know. There are many services that may be able to help you make ends meet. Now finding all these services is easy and free with Affordable SA.

For South Australians needing advice or assistance with managing the cost of living or budgeting. The Helpline provides information, advice and referrals to appropriate services such as financial counselling, case work, advocacy or community education.

The Helpline Service is available from Monday to Thursdays between the hours of 9.30am and 8pm and Fridays 9.30am and 4.30pm (except Public Holidays).

Get in the know and take control with Affordable SA. Its a Helpline, Website and App empowering you with the services that you need to stay in control.

Call today on 1800 025 539, download the affordable app, its free!

Or visit affordablesa.com.au

Its a free and confidential service.

The Salvation Army has released its National Economic Social Impact Survey and it tells a story of extreme housing stress with many "going without" and struggling to meet the high cost of living expenses.

Single parents and couples with children experienced the lowest standard of living and the biggest gap below the poverty line. After paying accommodation expenses respondents were left with only $21 per day to live on with Newstart Allowance recipients $17 per day. Income support payments have not increased to match the rising cost of living expenses such as utility bills, education, childcare fees and housing costs. Cost of living expenses are becoming unmanageable and many people in stress desperately rely on support services.

"Food vouchers and parcels really helped relieve the high pressure... I would have starved without assistance."

"I've just struggled, struggled, and struggled...To the point where, yes, I've been to dark places."

"The bills keep getting higher and my income hasn't increased...things feel impossible"

67% of children experienced severe deprivation. Parents can not afford items relating to access and participation in social activities, education and technology for their children.

A large portion of individuals and families who accessed Emergency Relief support services experienced

Financial hardship due to limited economic resources and multiple barriers to employment.

Food insecurity, outstanding debt and increased cost of living expenses.

Housing stress, inadequate housing conditions and transience.

Reduced participation and access to opportunities for individuals and families.

Multiple daily challenges and social disconnectedness.

To find services that may help with Cost of Living expenses and to access assistance including free financial counselling download the Affordable SA App or go to the website or ring the Affordable SA Helpline 1800 025 539 to be directed to a service or concession that may assist your scenario or situation.

Earlier this month Foodbank held a Pop Up Market at Elizabeth Downs. Affordable SA spoke to FoodbankSA CEO Greg Pattinson about what they do and what's in store for them in the future.

From Pop Up Markets and new local Foodbank Hubs locations to plans for a mobile regional pantry, Greg spills the beans.

The Affordable SA Team will be participating at one of the work stations for the Amazing Wellbeing Race being held around Adelaide this afternoon.

"Each participant or group of participants will be allocated to a team. Together you will be racing around the city. During your adventure you and your team mates will need to out-smart and out-race the competition across a predetermined route that will see you stopping at numerous stations. Each station is manned by folks from a different local organisation. They will share with you their wellbeing related work and how they can be of support to you. Plus, they will give your team a fun challenge which you will have to complete successfully to receive the clue that will guide you to your next race stop".