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Support for difficult times

Helping our customers access specialist support during times of hardship, crisis and vulnerability.

At Keystart, we understand that customers may experience challenges that extend beyond their home loan. If you are facing hardship, crisis, or personal difficulties, there are specialist organisations available to provide free, confidential, and independent support.

If you're experiencing financial difficulty, get in touch with us as soon as possible. Once we understand your situation, you may have more options than you realise. Reaching out early gives you more time and knowledge to make your decisions. We have a dedicated team here to help.

Financial hardship assistance

Need help finding the right support?

Find the right support for your situation by exploring the services listed below.

Our team may provide information about these services when they are relevant to your circumstances. Accessing support is always your choice. 

Important

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call 000

If you require urgent emotional or crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

    Family and domestic violence support 

    1800RESPECT

    24/7 confidential support for people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.

    The Leaving Violence Program

    Provides support to people leaving a partner who uses violence with financial and other supports. The program is available to eligible victim-survivors regardless of gender or visa status.

    Women's Domestic Violence Helpline (WA)

    Provides support, safety planning, information and referrals for women experiencing family and domestic violence, including access to women's refuges.

    Men's Domestic Violence Helpline (WA)

    Provides support, information and referrals for male victims of family violence and men concerned about their own behaviour.

    Djinda Service 

    Provides culturally safe support for Aboriginal women and their children experiencing family and domestic violence.

    Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC)

    Provides crisis care, counselling, advocacy and support for people affected by sexual assault. 

    Worthy Australia

    Provides resources and support focused on financial abuse, coercive control and empowering people impacted by domestic violence.

    Your Toolkit

    Offers practical resources, information and support tools for people experiencing family and domestic violence.

    Daisy App

    Connects people experiencing violence or abuse with local support services through a secure mobile app. 

     

    Financial hardship and money support 

    National Debt Helpline 

    Provides free and independent financial counselling for people experiencing financial hardship, debt or budgeting challenges.

    Financial Wellbeing Collective 

    Provides financial coaching, financial wellbeing support and specialist assistance for people affected by domestic violence. 

    Financial Counsellors Association of WA 

    Connects individuals with accredited financial counsellors and community support services throughout Western Australia. 

    Moneysmart

    Provides Australian Government financial information, budgeting tools, calculators and practical guidance to improve financial wellbeing. 

    Help with household bills 

    Energy Ahead Program (Synergy) 

    Provides support and assistance for customers struggling with electricity costs and payment difficulties. 

    Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) 

    Provides financial assistance to eligible customers experiencing hardship and struggling to pay utility bills.

    Water Assist

    Provides reduced water charges and payment assistance for eligible low-income households. 

    Waterwise

    Provides water-saving advice and programs that help households reduce water consumption and costs. 

    Water Time Assist

    Provides payment assistance and flexible arrangements for customers experiencing financial hardship. 

    Crisis and wellbeing support

    Lifeline

    Provides 24/7 crisis support, suicide prevention services and emotional wellbeing support. 

    Crisis Care (WA)

    Provides emergency support and intervention for people experiencing a personal, family or community crisis.

    Housing and emergency assistance

    Ask Izzy 

    Connects people with housing, food, health, legal, financial and emergency support services across Australia.

    Housing and Homelessness Services 

    Provides support and referral pathways for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their housing. 

    Uniting WA

    Crisis support, accommodation and pathways to housing and stability for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

    Quick referral guide

    Customer needRecommended service 
    Family or domestic violence 1800RESPECT, Women's/Men's Domestic Violence Helplines, Djinda Service 
    Sexual assault Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC)
    Financial hardship National Debt Helpline, Financial Wellbeing Collective
    Utility bill stress
    Energy Ahead, HUGS, Water Assist 
    Housing crisis
    Ask Izzy, Crisis Care 
    Emotional distress 
    Lifeline, Relationships Australia 
    Safety planning Daisy App, Your Toolkit 
    Aboriginal family support Djinda Service