Financial Counselling

The Financial Counselling service aims to empower people, particularly those who are disadvantaged, to effectively manage their own financial affairs. It also seeks to redress the imbalance of power between people and systems by lobbying for change to government regulations, financial institution policy and community attitudes.

Financial counselling has a long history at UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide. The Central Mission Credit Union was opened in 1973 to give several UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide welfare clients the opportunity to take charge of their own financial affairs. Eventually the Credit Union expanded and became independent of UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide. It is now part of Australian Central Credit Union.

A manager was appointed to the Financial Counselling Service in April 1984. Prior to this service, budgeting advice had been offered by Lifeline but there was a need for face to face counselling and support that could not be offered by a telephone service.

In February 1996 an outreach was opened at the Lynay Centre, Blakeview for clients from Elizabeth to Gawler.

Since its opening the Financial Counselling Service has challenged malpractices and lobbied the government regarding changes in legislation and service provision which effect our clients.

We also host the Senior Resource Worker for financial counselling in South Australia.

Financial Counselling is available to anyone, although the service focuses mainly upon low income and disadvantaged people.

The Financial Counselling Service relies on donations to UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide to ensure that its deficit is covered.

The Financial Counselling Service conducts an average of 68 interviews each month.

The work of Financial Counselling is vast, covering budgeting advice advocacy, and community education.

Counsellors support clients through the trauma of bankruptcy, and intervene with creditors to negotiate satisfactory arrangements. The service also pressures for changes to legislation and government policy.

Contact Us

UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide
10 Pitt Street, Adelaide
South Australia 5000
Phone: 08 8202 5180

Lynay Centre
8 Pineridge Drive, Blakeview 5114
Phone: 08 8284 0070

Christies Beach
111 Beach Road, Christies Beach 5165
Phone: 08 8329 1700

The Financial Counselling Service also has outreaches to the Legacy Club of Adelaide Inc at 102 Franklin Street, Adelaide, as well as Legal Services Commission, 82-98 Wakefield Street, Adelaide 5000