Help and support

Find help and support if you are an Income Management participant.

Support services directories

Support services directories are available for the following locations:

BasicsCard issues

Visit the Services Australia website if you have any questions or concerns about managing or using your BasicsCard(Opens in a new tab/window).

SmartCard issues

Visit the Services Australia website if you have any questions or concerns about managing or using your SmartCard(Opens in a new tab/window).

Disability Gateway

The Disability Gateway is a free Australia-wide service to help people with disability, their families and carers find trusted information and services. 

Visit the Disability Gateway(Opens in a new tab/window) website or call 1800 643 787, available Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm AEDT/AEST.

Help with food and bills

You can ask these places for help with food and bills: 

  • Salvation Army 137 258 
  • St Vincent de Paul Society 131 812 
  • your local community centre, church or community organisation.

Emotional support

You can get emotional support too with the following services. 

Crisis support 

For support either:

Depression or anxiety 

For support either: 

Domestic or family violence counselling

Call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 at any time. 

Alcohol or other drug use 

Call Family Drug Support Australia on 1300 368 186 at any time. 

Gambling 

Call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 at any time.

Budgeting, dealing with debt and managing your money

Learn more about managing your money and financial counselling.

Visit the Services Australia website to find out more about managing your money(Opens in a new tab/window).

Calls to 1800 phone numbers from a fixed phone line or Telstra payphone are free. But there may be charges for calls from mobile phones depending on the provider and call length.

Information and support about Income Management

To find out more: 

  • Visit the Services Australia website to learn more about Smartcard(Opens in a new tab/window).
  • Call the SmartCard eIM hotline on 1800 252 604. Let us know if you need an interpreter and we will arrange one for free.
  • Call the Traditional Credit Union on 1800 828 232 (NT only) if you have a TCU SmartCard. 

Reviews and appeals

If participants do not understand or agree with a decision relating to enhanced Income Management, they can:

  • ask Services Australia to explain the decision
  • apply for a formal review.

If Services Australia is reviewing a decision under social security law, their enhanced Income Management program will continue until the review is finalised.

Visit the Services Australia website for more information about reviews and appeals(Opens in a new tab/window).

Funding for support service providers

The Community-led Support Fund helps service providers in former Cashless Debit Card locations to provide services in these areas.

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DSS2376 | Permalink: www.dss.gov.au/node/2376