Small Business Financial Counselling Service
The service is free and confidential and is for businesses with less than 100 employees experiencing financial difficulties. Small Business Financial Counsellors are qualified professionals who assist with independent information, advice, support and referral.
Flexible appointment options are available.
More information
The City of Cockburn provides free and confidential Financial Counselling Services to its residents. We aim to provide you with information so you can make informed decisions that are right for you, based on your financial circumstances.
If you need help, financial counselling can help you take control of your finances by:
- Helping you with Consumer Credit issues
- Giving you access to information such as pamphlets and budgeting sheets
- Providing information about policies and laws relating to bills, debts and fines
- Informing you about government assistance that may be available
- Helping you to develop money management skills
- Referring you to other organisations that may be able to help
- Outline your consumer rights and responsibilities
- Provide you with general information about Bankruptcy.
Stop light decision-making
Here are some tips on how you can save.
| Stop |
Stop and look at your expenses closely. If opting in to a new contract, insurance or forms of accommodation, choose carefully and prioritise wht is a need and what isnt. |
Insurance: health, car, home/contents, funeral and life
Transport: registration, bus/train, fuel and maintenance
Education, child support
Medical: glasses, dental, audio, specialists and medicines
Loan and rental, lease contract, repayments
Fines
Accommodation.
|
| Watch |
Watch your consumption and reassess what you need and what impact it will have on the budget. Reduce use and pay these items second. |
Electricity
Gas
Telecommunications
Water
Food
Clothing. |
| Choose |
Finally, you can choose your lifestyle that fits with your income. Look for better options and check affordability. |
Takeway and eating out
Cigarettes and alcohol
Entertainment
Lotto and gambling
Hobbies and sports
Christmas, holidays, birthdays and celebrations
Incidentals like furniture and non-essentials. |
Energy Use
This chart shows a household average use of electrical applicances that control heating and cooling. These appliances contribute to the budget. You can reduce how much you spend by turning these appliances completely off (unplugged) when not in use.
| 55% |
Heating and cooling |
| 15% |
Appliances |
| 15% |
Water heating |
| 10% |
Lighting |
| 5% |
Electronic devices |
Please note that the City’s financial counselling service offer in person, telephone, Zoom, Skype, Webex or Whats app appointments until further notice.
Georgina Ogilvie
Monday to Friday
8am – 4pm
Colleen Crowley (Small Business Financial Counsellor)
Monday to Friday
8am – 4pm
To book an appointment with a Cockburn Financial Counsellor, please contact the City between 9.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday on 08 9411 3444.
You can track your personal expenses on the go with the free TrackMySpend App that is easy to use on your iPhone, iPod or Android device.
TrackMySpend allows you to:
- Track expenses by categories
- Track expenses while you are travelling or on an outing
- Record work or project-related expenses
- Set goals and save
- Plus much more!
Use the App to get a clear picture of what you are spending your money on and gain control of your finances.
Useful linksWest Australian Council of Social Services opens in a new window
Quick search of resources for emergency relief, substance issues, counselling, homelessness, legal resources, migrant services and more.
Centrelink opens in a new window
Information on government payments, amounts and eligibility
Legal Aid opens in a new window
Legal information and options
Housing Authority opens in a new window
Information on eligibility for rental or purchased housing, bond assistance and resources for current tenants
Tenancy WA opens in a new window
Information, contacts and resources for tenants in rental properties living in WA
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety opens in a new window
Labor relations, WorkSafe & Consumer Protection
Money Minded opens in a new window
An online financial education program endorsed by FCA developed by the ANZ bank
Money Smart opens in a new window
Money management, borrowing money, Superannuation investment, scams & tools & resources. Has a free budget & mortgage calculator
WA No Interest Loans opens in a new window
Information and contacts to apply for WA No Interest Loan Scheme
Financial Counsellors opens in a new window
Peak WA state body for Financial Counsellors and useful resources/links
Financial Ombudsman Service opens in a new window
Financial Ombudsman Service assisting people in dispute with their financial provider
Australian Financial Security Authority opens in a new window
Small Business WA opens in a new window
Information and resources for small business operators in trouble including a low cost alternative dispute resolution service
Department of Human Services opens in a new window
Information on child support
To book an appointment with a Cockburn Financial Counsellor, please contact Customer Service between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday on 08 9411 3444.
Flexible appointment options are available including face to face meetings, over the phone, video, Skype, Zoom or WebEx.
This service is also provided through
Money Mentors opens in a new window,
Anglicare (Joondalup) opens in a new window and
Gosnells Community Legal Centre opens in a new window.
You can also contact the The National Debt Hotline on 1800 007 007 for assistance.
Useful contact numbers
Metro South West
| Coolbellup - City of Cockburn |
08 9411 3444 |
| Fremantle - Uniting WA |
08 9220 1255 |
| Kwinana - Australian Red Cross |
08 9419 72 37 |
| Rockingham - Anglicare WA |
1300 11 44 46 |
| Success - City of Cockburn |
08 9411 3444 |
| Armadale - Anglicare WA |
1300 11 44 46 |
| Belmont - Mission Australia |
08 9262 4200 |
| Byford - Money Mentors |
08 9581 1281 |
| Canning Vale - Success Street Community Law Service |
08 6253 9500 |
| Cannington - Communicare |
08 9251 5777 |
| Forrestfield - Foothills Information and Referral Service |
08 9359 1253 |
| Gosnells - Gosnells Community Legal Centre |
08 9398 1455 |
| Manning - Southcare |
08 9450 6233 |
| Perth - Uniting WA |
08 9220 1255 |
| Ellenbrook - Midlas |
08 9250 2123 |
| Lockridge - BlueSky |
08 9376 9999 |
| Midland - Midlas |
08 9250 2123 |
| Morely - BlueSky |
08 9376 9999 |
| Girrawheen - The Spiers Centre |
08 9401 2699 |
| Heathridge - The Spiers Centre |
08 9401 2699 |
| Joondalup - Anglicare WA |
1300 11 44 46 |
| Joondalup - The Spiers Centre |
08 9401 2699 |
| Merriwa - Uniting WA |
08 9220 1255 |
| Mirrabooka - Communicare |
08 9251 5777 |
| Mirrabooka - Mission Australia |
08 9262 4200 |
| Scarborough - Uniting WA |
08 9220 1255 |
| Wanneroo - Communicare |
08 9251 5777 |
| Yanchep - Uniting WA |
08 9220 1255 |
| Merriwa - Uniting WA |
1300 663 298 |
| Midland - Midlas |
08 9250 2123 |
| Emergency Relief and Food Access |
1800 979 777 |