How do I make a hardship application?

You're not alone

A hardship application is simply a formal way of telling a creditor you're in financial difficulty and asking for help. Plenty of people make them, and a well-prepared application gives you the best chance of a helpful outcome.

This is general information, not financial advice. A free financial counsellor can help you prepare and submit a hardship application — National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007.

What to prepare

Having a few things ready makes the process smoother:

• A short explanation of what's changed (job loss, illness, separation, rising costs).
• A simple summary of your income and expenses.
• An idea of what would help — a pause, smaller payments, or more time.

You can look up terms like hardship in our glossary.

Step by step

1. Find the hardship contact — many creditors have a hardship form, phone line or email.
2. Explain your situation honestly and what caused the difficulty.
3. State clearly what you're asking for and what you can realistically afford.
4. Provide any details requested, such as income and expenses.
5. Keep copies of everything you send and note who you spoke to and when.
6. Ask for the decision in writing.

Good to know

If your application is refused or the outcome isn't fair, you can usually escalate to a free, independent dispute scheme such as an ombudsman — find the right one in our directory of bodies. A free financial counsellor can help you make the strongest possible application. If it's all weighing on you, Lifeline 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 can help.