The Antipoverty Centre is unable to offer crisis support. We know the services below are imperfect, and that you may not feel comfortable contacting them. Whether or not you decide to access formal or informal supports, remember this: the way you are feeling is not your fault. The system is designed to hurt us, but we are not going to stop fighting to dismantle it.

“Mutual” obligations and job agency abuse

Peer support is available if you are unsure about what “mutual” obligations you can be forced to do or are experiencing a problem with your (un)employment services provider. Volunteers on the Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union hotline empower unemployed workers with information about how to navigate the government’s punitive social security system. Private employment service providers can impose penalties with little or no oversight. The AUWU’s national helpline is the only play unemployed workers can go for friendly advice about their rights. Call the helpline on 1800 289 848 or visit the website.

Financial assistance

It’s not possible to budget our way out of poverty. People on low incomes are the best budgeters in the country. Even though they cannot provide cash, financial counsellors may be able to assist you if you are in debt. They may be able to help negotiate with your electricity provider or other organisation to waive some of what you owe or allow you to pay it off over a longer period. To find a financial counsellor contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or visit their website.

Mental health support

The Antipoverty Centre is unable to offer crisis support. We know the services below are imperfect, and that you may not feel comfortable contacting them. If you are feeling distress and do not want to access formal help we encourage you to reach out to someone in your life, even though we know this can be very difficult. This could be a close friend or family member, or even someone in your online community.

You can find a more extensive list including peer support options compiled by the authors of the Not Before Time report on harms in the mental health system here.