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Contacts

Families SA

Last Updated May 2011

Level 7, 108 North Terrace
Adelaide SA 5000
General enquiries: 8124 4185
Customer information: 8226 6735
Customer service helpline: 8226 6930 or 1800 003 305
Foster carers helpline: 1300 134 043
Email: customer.families@dfc.sa.gov.au
This email address should not be used to report child abuse and neglect.  To report child abuse and neglect, ring the Child Abuse Report Line on 131 478.  This is a 24 hour service.  For more information see Protecting children.

Home » Financial support and grants » Financial advice and counselling
The Department for Families and Communities (DFC) is now the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI). The department is currently reviewing its online information and updates will be implemented soon.
You can still find departmental information using the search function on this site. For more information about South Australian government services please visit www.sa.gov.au.

Renegotiating an existing debt or loan

Last Updated Nov 2008

Before contacting a creditor, make sure that you have a written budget plan that lists all your essential expenses - a creditor is a person or a company you owe money to.

When negotiating with creditors, it is important that you:

  • Know what you want to achieve before contacting the creditor
  • Be clear about what you are requesting and why
    • Temporary reduction of payments
    • Permanent reduction - that is the loan is extended
    • Postponement of payments
  • Advise of any special circumstances that apply to you or your family
  • Review your documents - perhaps you have been paying insurance to cover your current situation
  • Make an offer you can realistically keep
  • Remain objective, be assertive but not aggressive
  • Keep copies of any correspondence forwarded to the creditor in relation to the negotiation
  • Ask the creditor to confirm the new arrangements in writing
  • Speak to a supervisor or manager if unsuccessful in reaching an agreement with the person with whom you are dealing as they may not be authorised to make the decision you are requesting
  • Note the name of the person you have been speaking to.

If a suitable compromise cannot be achieved, and the creditor is threatening repossession or legal action, you should see a financial counsellor or seek legal advice immediately to ensure that you are fully informed of your rights and obligations.