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Free help with bills, and how a Pay Advance can fit in
There are times when you may need access to money to cover an expense, whether it’s something unexpected or a cost that’s come up sooner than planned.
A stack of bills landing in the same week can throw off even a careful budget. Whether it's electricity, water, phone or rent, there's usually free help paying bills available in Australia before you need to borrow anything, so it's worth checking those options first.
Free and low-cost help with bills
Most providers and the government have support in place for people finding it hard to keep up with bills. These options don't add to what you owe, so they're worth ruling out first.
Ask your provider for a payment plan or hardship program
Many electricity, gas, water and phone providers in Australia are required or expected to offer hardship programs to eligible customers. This kind of bill assistance can include extended payment plans, temporarily reduced payments, or a pause on disconnection while you get back on track, and it's often available even before you've missed a payment. Call the number on your bill and ask to speak with the hardship team.
Free financial counselling: National Debt Helpline
The National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007, ndh.org.au) offers free, confidential financial counselling for anyone struggling with bills or debt. A financial counsellor can help you negotiate with providers, work out a repayment plan, and look at your overall budget.
Lower the bills themselves with Compare & Save
Sometimes the better fix is a smaller bill, not a loan to cover the current one. Compare & Save checks your energy and other household plans against the market to see if you could be paying less, so future bills start smaller.
Bill-specific help
If one particular bill is causing the pressure, these guides go into more detail:
If you still need short-term help: Beforepay Pay Advance
If you've checked the free options above and still need to bridge a short-term gap, eligible customers can borrow up to $2,000 with Beforepay Pay Advance, with no traditional credit check. Fees are set out clearly before you accept, and approved customers can have funds in their account in as little as 5 minutes, depending on your bank. Approval isn't guaranteed and eligibility criteria apply, so it's worth weighing this up alongside the support options above rather than treating it as a first response.
Is a loan the right call?
A loan can help smooth out a one-off gap, but it isn't the answer to ongoing bill stress. If bills are consistently outpacing your income, a free chat with the National Debt Helpline or your provider's hardship team is likely to help more than borrowing again. Taking the time to line up your options, starting with the free ones, can help you find an approach that actually fits your situation.
This information is general in nature and doesn't take into account your personal circumstances. It isn't financial advice. Approval is not guaranteed. Terms of Service and eligibility criteria apply.
Your backup plan
If a bunch of bills are throwing off your budget, a Beforepay loan can help you regain your financial balance.
Funds in a flash
Transparent fees
Repay in up to 4 instalments
Short-term funds when you need them most
From unexpected bills to everyday expenses, Pay Advance helps you cover short-term cash gaps and stay on top of your budget.
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How it works
A fast loan is only 3 steps away.
Create your account
Getting started is simple - sign up online or download the Beforepay app.
Connect your bank
Connect your bank account to explore your loan options or use Beforepay's money tools.
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Choose your loan
Borrow up to $2,000 with Pay Advance or apply for a Personal Loan of up to $5,000. Eligibility criteria applies.
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Create your account
Getting started is simple - sign up online or download the Beforepay app.
Connect your bank
Connect your bank account to explore your loan options or use Beforepay's money tools.
Choose your loan
Borrow up to $2,000 with Pay Advance or apply for a Personal Loan of up to $5,000. Eligibility criteria applies.
Common Questions
Transparent answers for confident borrowing.
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Bills can vary in amount and don't always align with your pay cycle, which can create short-term pressure.
Some providers offer payment plans or temporary financial support options that can make bills easier to handle.
It can help to consider the total cost, how any payments are structured, and whether repayments fit comfortably within your budget.
Planning ahead and choosing manageable options can help you stay in control.
It should fit comfortably within your income and existing expenses.
Chosen by Over 1.7M Aussies
Plan, track, compare, and save with Beforepay’s free finance tools.
Eligibility
Borrowing that fits your life.
We check your income and expenses to make sure repayments fit your budget, with clear terms and no surprises.
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A better way to borrow
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Recognising the positive impact of AI-enhanced processes and automation on the quality and satisfaction of customer interactions.
Recognised for our unwavering commitment to customer-focused, ethical lending that prioritises and supports financial wellbeing.
Recognised for the ethical product design principles and lending safeguards that form the foundation of Beforepay’s innovative credit assessment technology.
Recognised for the seamless integration of ethical lending principles, technological innovation, and sustainable growth into our customer-focused lending process.
Recognised for the simplicity and convenience of the Beforepay app and its beneficial impact for our customers.
Recognised for our leading commitment to safe lending practices, fee transparency, and inclusive access to fair finance.
Beforepay CTO, Rajini Carpenter, recognised for her commitment to building innovative systems, championing inclusion and diversity, and inspiring more women to enter the tech space.
Recognised for our success in providing inclusive access to safe, short-term finance to more working Australians, supporting them when they need it most.
Recognised for the application of advanced AI and machine learning technologies into a human-focused credit assessment process.
Recognised for our relentless dedication to data-driven, ethical lending practices and product development that puts our customers first.
Recognised for our proprietary advanced credit risk technology, commitment to transparency, and built-in lending safeguards.
Recognised for our foundational ethical lending practices that prioritise the financial wellbeing of our customers.
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