Where the $4.7 million is going
A $4.7 million funding package will support frontline services that provide food, clothing, financial counselling and mental health assistance, including a $1.1 million boost for the National Debt Helpline. The package was announced in a media release from the Minister for Social Services dated 11 October 2026.
The package has three main components:
- $2 million will be shared among OzHarvest, Good360, Foodbank and SecondBite to support their nationwide relief work.
- 70 Emergency Relief Providers in specific regional and remote communities will receive a 15 per cent boost to their annual funding.
- The National Debt Helpline will receive $1.1 million, so more people can access free and confidential financial counselling.
Separately, the release notes that from 2025 the Government is investing more than $460 million over five years in Financial Wellbeing and Capability supports for vulnerable people.
Free, confidential help from the National Debt Helpline
Australians experiencing cost-of-living pressure or financial stress are the primary beneficiaries. People in specific regional and remote communities served by the 70 Emergency Relief Providers will see more funding for local support, and people who use the National Debt Helpline will benefit from expanded access to free and confidential counselling.
No start date, but the holiday season is in sight
No specific start date was provided in the announcement. The release says the extra funding will help the four national organisations keep responding to people who reach out for help “as we move into the holiday and high-risk weather season”.
What the Minister says
Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek said: “We are funding these essential frontline services to ensure Australians who need support can get food, clothing and other important everyday items at the toughest times of their lives.”
More information on emergency relief and financial counselling, including how to find a provider, is available on the Department of Social Services website.
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General information only, not legal advice. Check the official source before acting.
Source: Department of Social Services. Licence: CC BY 4.0.
