Life Without Debt

Australian Registered PBI

Free debt help for Australians facing terminal illness.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, the last thing you should be carrying is the weight of debt. Life Without Debt is an Australian charity engaging licensed financial counsellors to work with creditors on your behalf — free, confidential, and without pressure.

Financial distress because of illness. Never illness because of financial distress.

Warm sunlit Australian kitchen with a mug of tea, yellow wattle wildflowers and a child's crayon drawing — a moment of quiet relief.
Room C · dignity-first visual identity · why we photograph this way

How it works — Step 1

You (or a family member) tell us the situation. Confidentially. No forms to fill out first. No means-test.

Step 2 — Licensed counsellor engaged

LWD engages a licensed financial counsellor on your behalf. They work with your creditors under the NCCP Act, Banking Code, and National Credit Code.

Step 3 — Arrangements made

Hardship variations, waivers, or repayment arrangements — whatever is appropriate to your circumstances. LWD does not itself negotiate — that is the licensed counsellor's role.

Common questions

Who is eligible for LWD debt help?

Adults living in Australia with a terminal-illness diagnosis, or their immediate family members acting on their behalf. LWD does not require means-testing beyond the diagnosis. All services are free.

How does LWD help with debt?

LWD engages licensed financial counsellors on beneficiaries behalf under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act (NCCP) s.29. Financial counsellors work with creditors to arrange hardship variations, waivers, or repayment arrangements appropriate to the beneficiary's situation. LWD does not itself negotiate debts.

Is LWD registered?

Yes. LWD is a registered Australian Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) and applies constitutional-first governance. Every activity sits under our published constitution — cl.4 scope, cl.4(a)(i-v) three-limb test, cl.4(b) sufficient class, cl.7 NFP, cl.35 paramountcy.

Does LWD provide financial advice?

No. LWD does not provide personal financial advice. LWD engages licensed financial counsellors who work under their own credentials. LWD provides general information only. For personal financial matters, please seek advice from a licensed financial counsellor or adviser.

Does LWD cancel debts?

No. LWD does not cancel debts. The licensed financial counsellors LWD engages work with creditors under the NCCP Act and applicable industry codes (Banking Code 2025 §52-54 / §132-190, National Credit Code Part 4, Farm Debt Mediation Act 1994 NSW where applicable) to arrange hardship variations. Outcomes vary case by case.

Is my information protected?

Yes. LWD handles personal information under the Privacy Act 1988 Australian Privacy Principles (APP). Records held about you are subject to your APP rights of access and correction. See our Privacy Notice.

Ready to talk? So are we.

The best next step is a short, confidential conversation. There is no cost. There is no obligation. There is no judgement.

LWD engages licensed financial counsellors on beneficiaries behalf per NCCP s.29. LWD does not itself provide personal financial advice. Outcomes vary case by case.