Financial Abuse Prevention Unit (FAPU)

Call: 1800 957 957
Email: fapu@wlsq.org.au
When: 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday

What is the FAPU?
WLSQ offers financial counselling and assistance to women who are experiencing financial abuse.

Who can the FAPU help?
The WLSQ FAPU can support women experiencing financial abuse who may need help with:

• Debts they are struggling to pay.
• Ongoing contact from debt collectors.
• Debt recovery through the courts.
• House eviction, disconnection of gas, electricity, phone etc.
• Uninsured car accidents, taxation debts and unpaid fines.

To be eligible, clients must have received a legal advice appointment from WLSQ in the previous six months.

How can the FAPU help?
The FAPU can:

• Suggest ways to improve a client’s financial situation.
• Assess if the client may be eligible for government assistance.
• Negotiate repayment arrangements with creditors.
• Explain options and their consequences, including debt recovery procedures, bankruptcy and other alternatives.
• Help clients apply for hardship variations.
• Assist clients to prepare a budget and organise their finances.
• Refer the client to other services, for example, a gambling helpline or counselling.

How can services refer a client to the FAPU?
Clients can call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Mondays to Fridays. WLSQ will assess the client’s eligibility for the program internally.

Services can refer clients by completing the FAPU referral form. WLSQ will contact the client directly to organise a suitable time for an appointment. Please note, you must provide WLSQ with a safe way to contact the client.