Mortgage Hardship Australia — What to Do When You’re Struggling
If you are struggling to meet your mortgage repayments, you have legal rights under Australian law and lenders have specific obligations to help. Acting early is the most important step — here is what you need to know.
Your Legal Rights — The NCCP Act
Under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (NCCP Act), Australian lenders must have a hardship program and must consider genuine hardship applications from borrowers.
If you are experiencing hardship, you can request a financial hardship variation — the lender must respond within 21 days and genuinely consider your situation.
Articles in This Section
- Mortgage Stress in Australia — Signs, Stats and Solutions
- What to Do If You Can’t Make Your Mortgage Repayments
- Mortgage Hardship Provisions — Your Legal Rights
- What Happens If I Miss a Mortgage Payment?
- Selling vs Foreclosure — What Happens If You Default
- Negative Equity — What If My Home Is Worth Less Than My Loan?
- What Happens If House Prices Fall Significantly?
- Discharge of Mortgage Explained
- Mortgage Repayment Pause — How to Apply for Hardship
- Bankruptcy and Home Loans — Will I Lose My Home?
- What Happens If My Lender Goes Bankrupt?
Free Help Available Right Now
If you are in financial difficulty, free assistance is available:
| Service | Contact | What they do |
|---|---|---|
| National Debt Helpline | 1800 007 007 | Free financial counselling |
| MoneySmart | moneysmart.gov.au | Financial guidance and tools |
| AFCA | afca.org.au | Free dispute resolution with lenders |
| Salvation Army Moneycare | salvationarmy.org.au/moneycare | Free financial counselling |
Related Guides
- Mortgage Holiday — How to Pause Repayments
- Income Protection Insurance and Your Mortgage
- What Happens to Your Mortgage If You Die?
This section provides general information about mortgage hardship in Australia. If you are in financial difficulty, contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 — free and confidential financial counselling is available. For mortgage advice, find a licensed broker through MoneySmart.