Useful links
Would you like to find out more about understanding money? Here are some of the links listed on our website.
Click on the subjects below to go to the relevant links.
Government agencies - general information
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
ASIC is the consumer protection regulator for financial services. The ASIC website has a range of information, including financial tips, safety checks on financial products and services, and warnings about scams.
Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
The ATO website has information on tax matters, superannuation guarantee contributions, lost superannuation accounts and self managed superannuation funds.
Centrelink
The Centrelink website has information on various government payments and services, including for students, the unemployed and retirees.
Consumer affairs and fair trading
The government department that looks after consumer affairs in your state or territory offers a range of services for consumers. For example, you can find information on buying a car, your rights as a tenant, or how to make complaints about a mobile phone dealer or network.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) website has information on a widef range of consumer issues.
Information about financial scams
Reporting scams
Money scams, including fake investments and money-making schemes, should be reported to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
Other rip-offs and scams such as fake lotteries and pyramid marketing schemes should be reported to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Scams on the internet
If you get an email requesting money or are concerned about a financial advertisement you find on the internet, you can contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
You can report international e-commerce fraud and scams by going to the website econsumer.gov, a joint initiative of consumer protection agencies from 20 nations.
Spam e-mails
You can complain about spam email to the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Financial counselling
The website of the Australian Financial Counselling and Credit Reform Association has contact information and links for financial counselling organisations around Australia.
Managing debt
Debt and borrowing money
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission website has information on credit and debt.
Bankruptcy
The website of the Australian Government Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia has information about your rights and obligations under the personal insolvency system, including bankruptcy and other solutions available under the Bankruptcy Act 1966.
Financial products and advice
General information on investment
- click on 'Publications'
Getting advice
- Good advice for peace of mind
- Find a Planner
- Financial Planning Week - to coincide with Financial Planning Week the FPA produced a variety of information and material to demonstrate the range of financial advice provided by professional financial planners.
Comparing financial products
Organisations such as those below provide a range of tools to help consumers compare products such as savings accounts, credit cards, home loans and managed funds.
You can also visit the websites of the banking, building society and credit union industry associations for information about their services.
Financial product disclosure statements
If you are recommended or offered a financial product, you should be given a Product Disclosure Statement.
Resolving problems
If you're not able to resolve a problem directly, there are a number of organisations that may be able to help you.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has information and contact details.
The Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman deals with complaints about financial services providers including banks, foreign exchange dealers, deposit takers, credit providers, mortgage brokers and some insurance and investment providers.
The Credit Ombudsman Service deals with complaints about individuals and companies that operate in the credit industry and are members of the service.
The Credit Union Dispute Resolution Centre deals with complaints about credit unions that are members.
The Financial Co-operative Dispute Resolution Scheme deals with complaints from consumers about those Australian credit unions and building societies which are members of the scheme.
The Financial Industry Complaints Service deals with complaints about financial services providers including life insurers, funds managers, investment advisers and planners, stockbrokers and some superannuation providers.
Insurance Brokers Disputes Ltd deals with complaints about general insurance brokers and some life insurance brokers.
The Insurance Ombudsman Service deals with complaints about general insurance companies and their agents.
The Superannuation Complaints Tribunal deals with complaints about the decisions and conduct of superannuation providers.
If you have a dispute with a mobile phone company, you can contact the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
Superannuation
General information
Choosing a fund
You can find out about choosing a superannuation fund at the Australian Government's Super Choice website.
Insurance
General information
Compulsory personal injury insurance
You can find out how compulsory third party or personal injury insurance works in your state or territory from the following government organisations:
Buying a mobile phone
Choosing a phone
You can find information to help you choose a mobile phone and plan at:
Lost and stolen
The mobile phone industry website www.mindyourmobile.com has information about lost or stolen mobile phones.
Continuing education and leaving home
Education study options and Government assistance
You can find out about what you can study, where you can study, what it might cost and what scholarships and other support might be available to you at the following Australian Government websites:
Leaving home
The Australian Government's website the Source has information for young people preparing to leave home.
Buying a Car
You can get information about what to look out for when buying a car from the motoring organisations in each state and territory.
Ownership registers
If you are buying a car privately, you can find out if the vehicle is being used as security for a loan or if the seller is the owner.
Registration
You can find out what it will cost to register your car from the government department that looks after road transport in your state or territory.
Families and children
Family assistance from Government
You can find out about the range of benefits available for families from:
Information about Australian Government programs and services for families is available at www.families.gov.au.
For information on child support, visit the Child Support Agency at www.csa.gov.au.
Information on services available under the Australian Government's Family Relationship Services Program is available from the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
For information and advice about family relationship issues, visit www.familyrelationships.gov.au
Family tax benefits and rebates
Child care
For information on child care services available in your area, contact the Australian Government Child Care Access Hotline.
Money management for children
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has tips on kids and money.
Parental leave
The Australian Government website www.workplace.gov.au has information about Parental Leave.
Buying your home
Mortgages
You can find information about mortgages and other types of loans, and tips on using credit from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
First Home Owner Grant and stamp duty
You can find information about the First Home Owner Grant at the Australian Government website www.firsthome.gov.au.
To apply for the grant, contact the revenue office in your state or territory. You can find out about stamp duty in your state or territory on the same websites.
Losing your partner
Support organisations
You can find support to help you deal with your emotions as you manage the practical, financial and lifestyle changes you are going through.
Funeral Directors
You can find a list of funeral directors in your area on www.afda.org.au.
Wills
You can get help and information about drawing up wills and what to do if your partner dies without leaving a will, from the Public Trustee in your state or territory.
If you want to find a solicitor to help with your will, contact the law society in your state or territory.
The Australian Government website for people over 50 also has information about estate planning and wills.
Family law lawyers
If you are looking for a lawyer who deals with family law matters, you can visit the website of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia.
- Family Law and You
- Find a Family Lawyer
Retirement
Government services and assistance
You can find out about government and non-government services for people over 50 at the Australian Government website www.seniors.gov.au.
The Australian Government Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs provides a number of publications to help people make the best use of their savings and investment after they retire.
Find out about the range of government benefits available for people after they retire, from Centrelink.
Retirement income streams
You can get information about retirement income stream products from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
Planning for your retirement
The National Information Centre on Retirement Investments provides a range of fact sheets and other information to help people thinking about retirement.
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia regularly publishes research into how much people need to live on after they retire.
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