Find Help

Free, confidential financial counselling for anyone struggling with debt or financial difficulty — including after a death. Run by Financial Counselling Australia and funded by the Australian Government.

Eligibility: Available to anyone in Australia. Mon–Fri, 9:30am–4:30pm (AEST/AEDT). Live chat and self-help tools are available on the website.

Free government information service about financial matters, including how aged-care accommodation, superannuation and the Age Pension interact. An information service — not personal financial advice.

Eligibility: Available to anyone. Book a phone appointment or attend a seminar through Services Australia. Confirm current details on the official site.

Free Australian Government support for unpaid carers, including counselling, planned and emergency respite, skills courses and tailored support packages.

Eligibility: For people providing unpaid care to a family member or friend with disability, a medical condition, mental illness, or who is frail aged. Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm; emergency respite is available at any time.

Free national advisory line for advance care planning — making your future medical and care wishes known. Can talk through the process and post a free starter pack.

Eligibility: Available to anyone. Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm (AEST). Note: the advisory line is free, but registering or storing an advance care directive may involve a fee in some states and territories — check your local process.

Find a local community legal centre. Most provide free legal advice and some casework, especially for people who cannot afford a private lawyer. Services vary by centre.

Eligibility: Eligibility and services vary by centre. Use the national finder to locate your nearest centre and check what they offer.

Free, plain-English government information about making a Will, what makes it valid, and powers of attorney. Information only — it is not a Will-drafting service and does not replace legal advice.

Eligibility: Available to everyone.

ELUMMA's Grief & Support page lists verified free Australian helplines, including Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Griefline and the Suicide Call Back Service. Numbers and availability are kept on that single page so they are never duplicated.

Eligibility: Available to anyone in Australia. Some lines operate 24/7; check the Grief page for each service.

Government help after a death: bereavement payments (if eligible), what to tell Centrelink, and how to claim money owed to the estate. You generally need to tell Services Australia within 28 days if the person received a payment.

Eligibility: Bereavement payments depend on your relationship to the person who died and on the payments you or they were receiving. Check eligibility and current details directly with Services Australia.

Bereavement payments and funeral benefits may be available for eligible veterans and dependants. Eligibility depends on the veteran’s service history and the relevant Act (VEA/MRCA/DRCA). DVA also administers official commemoration through the Office of Australian War Graves for eligible veterans.

Eligibility: Eligibility depends on the veteran’s service, the date and circumstances of death, and the relevant legislation. Not all veterans or families qualify. Check current eligibility and amounts directly with DVA.

Free legal information, and — subject to a means test — legal advice and representation. Start with your state or territory Legal Aid commission, which can direct you to the right help for Wills, estates and disputes.

Eligibility: Legal aid advice and representation depend on your legal matter, financial circumstances and state/territory. General legal information is free; ongoing help is means-tested.

For complex Wills, estates, disputes, blended families, trusts, businesses, overseas assets or capacity concerns, a private solicitor provides tailored legal advice and document drafting. Free preliminary legal information does not include drafting a Will — drafting is a paid service.

Eligibility: Anyone; fees apply. Ask for an upfront, written estimate before proceeding. Use your state or territory Law Society to find a solicitor.