15/09/2026
This morning I attended a really valuable MFAA professional development session focused on financial hardship — and there were a couple of statistics that really stayed with me.
1 in 5 Australians will experience financial hardship at some point in their lifetime.
And over the past 12 months, mortgages have overtaken tax debt as the greatest source of enquiries for assistance to the National Debt Helpline.
Behind those statistics are real people and families who may be feeling overwhelmed, embarrassed or simply unsure where to start.
One of the most important messages from today was this: the sooner you have the conversation, the more options there may be available to you.
If you're struggling to meet your mortgage or other financial commitments, please don't wait until things reach crisis point. Speak with your broker, your lender or a financial counsellor. While we can't solve every situation ourselves, we can listen, help you understand your options and, importantly, connect you with organisations that can provide specialist support and advocate on your behalf.
Sometimes financial difficulty is part of a much bigger picture, and knowing how to recognise the signs and where to direct someone for the right support really matters.
I also walked away this morning feeling incredibly proud to be part of an industry that cares so passionately about improving the lives of others.
It’s one thing to want to help. It’s another to actively invest in educating ourselves, having the difficult conversations and equipping our industry with the tools and knowledge to better support people when they need it most.
For me, that’s what our role is ultimately about — people first, finance second.
📞 National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007
📞 Small Business Debt Helpline: 1800 413 828
There is help available. And starting the conversation early can make a very real difference.