Bring your Bills

At South East Community Links, we understand the rising cost of living is affecting individuals and families across our region. That’s why we created the Bring Your Bills series of events, a community-centred initiative connecting people with the expert help they need to navigate complex financial challenges.

Since its launch, Bring Your Bills has brought together people from all walks of life and empowered them to take control of their financial wellbeing. Importantly, we offer interpreters to support community members feel more comfortable communicating in their own language.

What Is Bring Your Bills?

Developed in collaboration with organisations across financial, legal, utility and government sectors, the program provides practical, in-person support on issues like:

• Unpaid bills and debt
• Fines and credit cards
• Mortgages and personal loans
• Centrelink and government services
• Housing and tenancy rights
• Consumer rights and legal issues

Participants receive free, confidential advice from experienced financial counsellors, lawyers, tenancy workers, and community service representatives often all in the same room. Interpreters are available to ensure every conversation is clear and culturally safe.

Between 2023 and 2024, Bring Your Bills events were held across Dandenong, Noble Park, Cranbourne West, Pakenham, and Springvale, supporting 1,847 people in practical, measurable ways.

As at June 2025, together with our partners, we:

• Resolved $1.49 million in community debt
• Facilitated 462 grants and concessions
• Boosted 95% of participants’ confidence to seek support again
• Built trust in services for 86% of attendees

Our work shows that when services meet people where they are physically, culturally and emotionally, a significant difference can be made to their lives.

Upcoming Bring Your Bills Day

Date: Tuesday 1 July 2025 | 10:30AM – 3:00PM

Venue: Pakenham Hall/Library – Corner John and Henry St, Pakenham

This is your opportunity to speak directly with people who can help. Whether it’s an unpaid bill, an unclear rental situation, or confusion over a government fine, you don’t have to face it alone.

You’ll have access to:

• Banks including Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Westpac
• Cardinia Shire council workers
• Consumer Affairs Victoria,
• Debt collectors including RecoveriesCorp
• Financial counsellors from South East Community Links
• Legal workers from Peninsular Community Legal Centre (PCLC)
• Multilingual interpreters speaking Dari, Hazaragi, Pashto, Persian/Farsi, Hindi, Urdu, Burmese, Dinka, Tamil, and Singhalese.
• Ombudsman and complaints services including Victorian Ombudsman, Australian Financial Complaints Authority, Energy and Water Ombudsman
• Services Australia (Centrelink)
• South East Water
• Tenancy advisors from Victorian Public Tenants Association
• Utility providers including AGL, Red Energy, Origin, Australian Gas Infrastructure Group
• Victorian Sheriffs Office (fines)

No appointments needed. Free. Confidential. Community-focused.

We welcome all community members, just bring your bills and other relevant paperwork.

*Please note no money is paid towards your bills!

If you’d like more information or need help preparing for the day, reach out to us. At South East Community Links, we’re here to link you to the support you deserve.