Useful links

Resources

DSP & Me, Disability Resources Centre

A guide for people with disabilities who think they may be eligible for a Disability Support Pension. Plain English and Easy English versions.

Centrelink, Services Australia

Information about Centrelink payments and services

A Guide to Australian Government Payments, Services Australia

Social Security Guide, Australian Government

Find Legal Answers – Centrelink, Victoria Legal Aid

Legal Glossary, Victoria Law Foundation

Plain language guide to common legal terms

Organisations

If you are in immediate danger call 000.

Safe Steps

Victoria’s 24 hour a day family violence support service.

Ph: 1800 015 188

www.safesteps.org.au

Orange Door

Help and support for family violence and families in need of support with the wellbeing and development of children.

Ph: 1800 354 322

www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au/

Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU)

A national volunteer organisation dedicated to protecting the rights and dignity of unemployed workers and pensioners. Advice for concerns about job agencies.

Advocacy Hotline: 1800 289 848

auwu.org.au

Disability Advocacy Resource Unit

A resource unit working with disability advocacy organisations to promote and protect the rights of people with disability. Website includes a Directory of Agencies delivering disability advocacy services.

www.daru.org.au  

Economic Justice Australia

Peak organisation for community legal centres providing specialist advice to people on their social security issues and rights. Contact details for welfare rights centres across Australia, self-help resources, policy work.

www.ejaustralia.org.au

Federation of Community Legal Centres

Peak body for Victoria’s community legal centres and Aboriginal Legal Services. Find information about free legal services across Victoria.

www.fclc.org.au

National Debt Help Line

A service that helps people tackle their debt problems. Speak to a financial counsellor on the telephone and find details for financial counselling services across Australia.

Ph: 1800 007 007

www.ndh.org.au

Victoria Legal Aid

Free information and help about the law – including social security matters.

Legal Help Line: 1300 792 387

www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

Financial Counsellor Resources

Social security lawyers and financial counsellors working together to improve client outcomes. Integrated Services Project Year 1 Report .

Social Security Rights Victoria and Financial Counselling Victoria, February 2020

Financial Matters and Centrelink, Facts for Financial Counsellors

National Social Security Rights Network, Social Security Rights Victoria and Financial Counselling Australia, December 2019

This fact sheet is intended to provide general information for financial counsellors about social security-related issues their clients may experience.