No interest loans for families under pressure
More families in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales who are struggling financially will be given help to get back on their feet thanks to the Gillard Government’s support for the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS(R)).
Twenty-two service providers across the three states will share in more than $920,000 of Australian Government funding to help expand their services and provide more no-interest loans to eligible low income workers.
The Good Shepherd Youth and Family Services runs the scheme with funding from the Australian Government and NAB, and works in partnership with a range of organisations to deliver the scheme in local communities.
This is the first stage of an $11.7 million Government funding injection into the No Interest Loan Scheme which will enable community organisations to give an additional 5,500 loans to people in need.
Further funding announcements in other states and territories will be made in the coming months.
This expansion is part of the Government’s $33 million commitment to matched savings and loan schemes for low income Australians.
Many families and individuals across Australia are struggling financially due to mortgage stress, credit card debt and cost of living pressures.
The scheme provides loans of between $800 and $2,000 to allow eligible low-income earners to buy essential household items like refrigerators and washing machines, with a repayment period of between one and one and a half years at zero per cent.
It will be open to anyone who holds a Pension or Health Care Concession card and has been a resident for at least three months in the same location.
The 22 successful service providers are:
| Organisation name | State | Funding | Coverage | Grant purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Lukes Anglicare | VIC | $60,000 | Central and Northern Victoria | NILS support worker |
| Casey North Community Information & Support Service | VIC | $55,000 | City of Casey | NILS coordinator, training |
| Wimmera Uniting Care | VIC | $80,000 | Horsham, West Wimmera, Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack, Northern Grampians LGAs | NILS worker, volunteer training |
| Communify Queensland Inc. | QLD | $50,000 | Brisbane Inner North/North Western suburbs | NILS worker, training, admin |
| Community Care Beenleigh Districts Inc. | QLD | $30,000 | Beenleigh, Eagleby, Holmview, Bethania, Waterford West, Mount Warren Park, Jacobs Well, Mount Tamborine, Woodridge, Beaudesert | NILS worker |
| Banana Shire Support Centre | QLD | $60,000 | Banana Shire | NILS worker, admin costs |
| Queensland Council of Carers Inc. | QLD | $100,000 | Statewide | NILS coordinator, training, admin |
| Ravenshoe Community Centre INC | QLD | $20,000 | Southern Tablelands | NILS worker |
| Port Douglas Community Services Network Inc. | QLD | $30,000 | Douglas Shire | NILS worker |
| Kuranda Neighbourhood Centre | QLD | $15,000 | Kuranda District | NILS coordinator |
| Muscular Dystrophy Association of QLD Inc. | QLD | $30,000 | Statewide | NILS worker, promotion of NILS |
| Kyabra Community Association Inc. | QLD | $30,000 | Acacia Ridge, Kuraby, Rochedale, Algester, MacGregor, Runcorn, Berrinba, MacKenzie, Salisbury, Calamvale, Mansfield, Stretton, Coopers Plains, Mt Gravatt, Sunnybank, Drewvale, Mt. Gravatt East, Sunnybank Hills, Eight Mile Plane, Parkinson, Upper Mt. Grava | NILS worker, training, admin |
| Logan East Community Neighbourhood Association Inc. | QLD | $80,000 | Logan City | NILS coordinator, training |
| Jimboomba Community Care Association Inc | QLD | $20,000 | Jimboomba, Beaudesert, Rathdowney, Flagstone, Tamborine, Logan Village | NILS coordinator, training |
| Trustees of the Presentation Sisters Wagga | NSW | $35,000 | Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly | Office space, training |
| Mount Annan Church Community Services | NSW | $10,000 | Campbelltown, Camden & Wollondilly | NILS worker |
| Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre | NSW | $12,000 | Blue Mountains City | NILS worker, office space |
| Telopea Family Resources Inc. | NSW | $30,000 | Parramatta LGA, East Merrylands and East Guildford | Training, promotion of NILS |
| Anglicare Diocese of Sydney | NSW | $20,000 | Glebe | NILS worker |
| Highlands Community Centres Inc. | NSW | $20,000 | Wingecarribee, Mulwaree | NILS worker |
| Port Kembla Community Project Inc | NSW | $90,000 | City of Wollongong | NILS coordinator, training, promotion of NILS |
| Baptist Community Services | NSW | $45,000 | Shellharbour LGA | NILS worker |