Financial Support Services

The Zahra Foundation supports women impacted by domestic abuse, providing education and empowerment programs, specialist financial counselling, brokerage and grants to women throughout Australia, promoting economic well-being and empowering participants to build pathways towards employment and education.

Through a collective impact model, key partnerships and technology, The Zahra Foundation is dedicated to creating an Australia where all women are economically empowered and safe.

Financial Counselling

We offer a free, specialist Financial Counselling service for women impacted by domestic abuse related debt and financial hardship. 

Our specialist, trauma and violence informed Financial Counsellors are non-judgemental and supportive in their approach and empower you with skills, knowledge and choices to build the life you want.

We have high demands for our Financial Counselling services; at times, there may be a waiting list for appointments.

  • Our specialist Financial Counsellors are registered, accredited and audited by Financial Counselling Australia (FCA), are ‘Trauma and Violence-Informed’ and work within a specialist domestic abuse and violence framework.

  • This service is for women and non-binary people of all ages who have been impacted by or are recovering from Domestic Abuse. It is free, confidential and voluntary.

  • So that we can support you more efficiently it will be useful for you to bring the following documentation:

    • Proof of income (Centrelink and/or payslips)
    • Photo identification including health care/pension concession card if possible
    • Bank statements
    • Current bills
    • Debt collector notices or other demands

    At your first appointment we will need to collect your personal details and we may ask for consent to act on your behalf.

  • To enrol in our Financial Counselling services, please complete the referral form by clicking the link below:

    [Complete Referral Form]

    If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our Intake Worker at [insert contact information].

    Phone: 08 8352 1889
    Email: intake@zahrafoundation.org.au

Download our Financial Counselling brochures for SA and NSW and a Financial Empowerment Checklist for Domestic Abuse and Separation, which provides fast and easy information to help you work out what you can do and where to get help.

Do you need financial crisis support?

If you are in a financial crisis and are not able to contact us urgently, please call the National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007.

Please note, we are unable to provide emergency relief.

  • "After fleeing from a [domestic violence relationship] and being tangled in the debt from starting over again more than six times, the Zahra Foundation helped give me a sense of hope and made it possible to live a safe life with my baby … helping me with the financial debt that my [domestic violence] situation left me in."

    Financial Counselling Participant

  • “The professionalism of the reception and financial counselling staff was very reassuring. The counsellor helped me understand my financial options and my responsibility in that, which I really valued and made use of. I felt totally understood, accepted, and respected and that gave me confidence in myself to move forward and both be responsible as much as I could, but also to seek further help where required”

    Financial Counselling Participant

  • “I enjoyed learning how to handle life financially. The thing I enjoy most about The Zahra Foundation is how understanding my Financial Counsellor is. She is so gentle with her words and never judging. I have PTSD and the financial stress really has a significant impact on my depression. My Financial Counsellor always has the best words during our conversation that just keeps things smooth. I appreciate the details to care in word choices and the respect and dignity that is given. I appreciate that The Zahra Foundation understands that to get back up on your feet you first need a foundation to build on.”

    Financial Counselling Participant

Partners & Supporters

Thank you to our partners and supporters who help us to deliver this service to women across Australia.