A record number of Australians experiencing “very distressed” financial situations have reached out for debt support, and the pressures are showing no signs of abating.
The National Debt Helpline had more than 168,000 people reach out during the 2024-25 financial year.
It marks a record high with the most calls and chat messages since 2018-19.
“It’s really telling us that people are struggling more than ever,” helpline co-ordinator Vicki Staff told AAP.
The key issues weighing on Australians are housing stress, including mortgages, rent rates and strata or body corporate costs.
Utilities including electricity, gas and water costs are among the other concerns as well as problematic credit card debt, personal loans and owing the Australian Taxation Office.
Each state and territory can have a different order of the most prominent financial stress.
“You might find that in one state, utilities are actually coming through as the number one presenting issue, and then maybe housing number two,” Ms Staff said.
The current financial issues are different to those experienced in 2018-19 when rental stress, strata and body corporate costs were not reported as key pressures.
Personal loans were also not a predominant issue in 2018-19. Instead, Buy Now Pay Later schemes were weighing on Australians.
When Australians call the debt helpline, it is when they believe they have exhausted all their options to solve their financial woes.
“People have really done their best … to cope with this cost of living crisis, but eventually they get to a point where they can’t think of what else to do,” Ms Staff said.
“It seems pretty insurmountable. They’re usually in a highly stressed state.”
But the debt crisis shows no sign of slowing, with 15,000 people already seeking support in July for the new financial year.
There is hope the Reserve Bank of Australia will lower interest rates – currently at 3.85 per cent – later in 2025, which would ease some pressure on households.
The central bank looks set to shave 25 basis points off the cash rate when it meets next week.
The National Debt Helpline offers financial counselling and self help guides to help provide options to overcome difficult financial situations.
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