Telephone operator will make appointment for client to attend office or will provide assistance over the phone.
Telephone advice service provided by Hobart Community Legal Service for consumers covering problems related to debt, bankruptcy, credit cards, sales, mortgages, credit reporting, loans, credit contracts. Callers will be advised of their rights and options.
In appropriate circumstances callers will be referred to community groups. Callers are asked to leave a message on answering machine and an advocate will return their call as soon as possible.
A division of the Department of Justice. Provides information and advice to consumers and businesses on the Australian Consumer Law; Residential rental advice to tenants, property owners and agents (MyBond); Retirement villages; Boarding houses; Technical regulation advice and compliance for building industry trades; Occupational licensing (trades) and risk-based licensing and registration (Registration to work with vulnerable people, security agents, motor vehicle traders, conveyancers); Incorporated associations; Charities; Co-operatives
The Credit Ombudsman Service provides consumers and financial service providers with an accessible, independant and fair dispute resolution service. Free service to consumers.
Provides free of charge, independant dispute resolution services to members of participating credit unions. Assists credit unions and their members resolve disputes that have not been resolved through the credit union’s internal dispute resolution.
Address complaints to: Credit Union Dispute Manager, CUDRC, GPO Box 3, Melbourne, VIC, 3001
The Customer Owned Banking Association is owned by its 95 member institutions: 77 credit unions, 6 building societies, 11 mutual banks and 1 other; and represents 13 friendly societies though the Friendly Societies of Australia and a number of affiliate members.
COBA provides representation and advocacy for its members to:
- federal and state governments;
- regulators, such as APRA and ASIC;
- the media;
- industry and consumer groups; and
- the general public and other stakeholders.
The Australian Government established the Do Not Call Register in response to increasing concern about the growth in unsolicited telemarketing calls.
You can register your phone number on the Do Not Call Register Website to help prevent unsolicited telemarketing calls.
There are 3 ways to register telephone numbers on the Do Not Call Register :
- On the listed website (listed below)
- Contact the phone number listed below
- Download an application form from the website (listed below)
Provides a free, fair and independent dispute-resolution service for electricity and natural gas consumers who have been unable to resolve a complaint with their energy retailer or distributor.
Enterprise Centres Tasmania is a statewide network of business advisors funded by the Tasmanian government
The service provides up to five hours of free and confidential business information, guidance and support services to existing and intending small business owners Business advisors are members of the community with expertise in small business, can assist with a wide range of business issues and refer clients to other sources of business support.
For referral to an Enterprise Centre, contact Business Tasmania on 1800 440 026 or email ask@business.tas.gov.au
The classification board makes classification decisions for films, computer games and certain publications.
Also classifies material submitted from State and Federal Police within Australia, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
The board does not classify programs broadcast for TV, live performances and audio CDs.
Mailing address: Locked Bag 3, Haymarket, New South Wales 1240.
FCA is the peak body for financial counsellors in Australia. Whilst FCA’s role is to support financial counsellors, it will advocate on behalf of clients of financial counsellors for a fairer marketplace that will prevent financial problems in the first place.
By ringing this number you can speak to a financial counsellor, this number will automatically switch through to the service in the State or Territory closest to you.
Opening hours are : 9.30am – 4.30pm.
The FPA is the peak professional body for Australia’s financial planners. It aims to raise the professional standards of financial planning in Australia, with the aim of protecting consumers from unethical practices and safeguarding their best interests.
Gamblers Online is provided by Turning Point in Victoria and is funded by an agreement between the Australian Government and all state and territory governments.
Gambling help online provides: 24/7 availability of chat and email counselling and support services, availability of professional counsellors with expertise in problem gambling and online services, integration with state based 24/7 telephone services and face to face counselling, provision of extensive website content, self help information and weblinks for additional support.
State Govt, $28.00 heating allowance paid twice yearly to assist eligible aged, disability, sole parent, carer, service and widow pensioners with heating costs.
Provides free legal advice to individal consumers throughout Australia on issues concerning insurance. Particularly home and contents insurance, consumer credit, life insurance, income protection, superannuation related insurance, travel insurance, motor vehicle insurance, debts to insurance companies. Part of the Financial Rights Legal Centre NSW.
The LCLC provides free general legal advice and assistance to Tasmania’s most vulnerable people.
LCLC funding is provided by both Federal and State Governments, therefore income tests do apply in most instances.
At first a 45 minute, one off legal advice session is provided to clients, which can include but is not limited to, such matters as wills, power of attorney, debt, contract, consumer rights, boundary fences, restraint orders, employment or unfair dismissal issues, family law issues, welfare rights issues and disability discrimination issues.
A free After Hours Drop-In Clinic each Wednesday from 5:30pm to 7:00pm provides legal assistance from volunteer local private practitioners – the clinic operates on a first come-first serve basis.
The clinic is NOT asset or income tested.
Responsible for the collection and enforcement of Court fines, fines imposed by traffic infringement notices and enforcement of certain monetary penalties imposed by the Magistrates Court and Supreme Court.
Website run by ASIC which provides free, independent guidance for consumers and investors in relation to a wide range of financial matters.
The OAIC has three primary functions:
- Privacy functions, conferred by the Privacy Act 1988 and other laws.
- Freedom of Information functions, in particular, oversight of the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and review of decisions made by agencies and ministers under that Act.
- Government Information Policy functions, conferred on the Australian Information Commissioner under the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010.
The PPSR is the single, Australian register where details of security interests in personal property can be registered and searched.
It is an online noticeboard, on which:
•you can register a notice to show that you have rights over personal property which secure a debt or obligation that someone owes you
•you can check to see if someone has registered an interest over personal property you want to buy or lease.
The Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) administers the PPSR.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman provides an independent and impartial service, protecting the interests of private health insurance consumers. The Ombudsman can take complaints from health fund members, health funds, hospitals and medical practitioners. Complainants should try to resolve their complaint directly with their private health insurer before contacting the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
Product safety comes under the responsibility of Consumer, Building and Occupational Services. CBOS’s role is to ensure products are as safe as possible with the aim of reducing product-related injuries to Tasmanians.
The Property Agents Board, an independent statutory authority acts a supervisory authority by regulating all property agents licensed in Tasmania.
The functions of the Board are, in the public interest, to ensure acceptable standards of practice by property agents.
A “property agent” is defined as a real estate agent, a property manager, a general auctioneer or a property representative.
The Board will deal with disciplinary complaints about a property agent that appears to involve an issue of unsatisfactory professional conduct or professional misconduct or a conviction for a serious crime. However, the Board cannot investigate vague allegations about bad agency practice/conduct, influence the outcome of other proceedings or provide legal advice.
Operates Mon – Friday 9 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Complaints and enquiries about the activities of real estate agents, copies of Lease Agreements etc. If complaint is serious, the Institute will refer the matter to the Property Agents Board. Complainants can bypass the Institute and make a complaint directly to the Property Agents Board.
A registered trustee can administer all administrations provided for by the Bankruptcy Act 1966.
In order to become a registered trustee a person must have the requisite experience, knowledge, abilities and qualifications.
A registered trustee can administer all administrations provided for by the Bankruptcy Act 1966.
In order to become a registered trustee a person must have the requisite experience, knowledge, abilities and qualifications.
A registered trustee can administer all administrations provided for by the Bankruptcy Act 1966.
In order to become a registered trustee a person must have the requisite experience, knowledge, abilities and qualifications.
A registered trustee can administer all administrations provided for by the Bankruptcy Act 1966.
In order to become a registered trustee a person must have the requisite experience, knowledge, abilities and qualifications.
The Commissioner hears and determines disputes in relation to refunding security deposits in residential tenancy matters. Operate from Consumer, Building and Occupational Services.
Supported by the Federal and State Governments, Rural Business Tasmania’s free flagship financial counselling service provides confidential and independent assistance to primary producers, fishermen and small rural businesses that are suffering financial hardship, and that have no alternative sources of impartial support, to manage the challenges of change and adjustment.
Services include:
- Farm debt mediation
- Cash flow forecasting analysis
- Loan applications
- Financial negotiations
- Business plan development
- Viability analysis
- Farm exit planning
- Succession planning
- Financial literacy
- Small business advisory service
SCAMwatch is a website run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). SCAMwatch provides information to consumers and small businesses about how to recognise, avoid and report scams.
You can contact the SCAMwatch team at the ACCC in the following ways:
- Report a scam via the SCAMwatch online form
- Contact the ACCC – details on website
- Website feedback