Within our community, we know some people are at risk of financial abuse and may need extra support from us. Here you’ll find information on what financial abuse looks like, how to recognise it, and where to get help for yourself or someone close to you.
What is financial abuse?
Financial abuse is a form of domestic and family violence where someone uses control or manipulation to manage your finances. It involves limiting access to your money, using your funds without permission, or making financial decisions for you.
This imbalance of power most often occurs in intimate, family, or caregiving relationships. It can make people feel isolated, anxious, and powerless – and sometimes unable to leave because they depend on the abuser.
Need immediate help?
If you feel unsafe or are in immediate danger, please call emergency services on 000.
For confidential counselling and support, call the the national domestic, family and sexual violence helpline on 1800RESPECT.
What are the types of financial abuse?
Financial abuse can happen in any type of relationship and is often carried out by people you know and trust. This can include partners, friends, family members, and authorised third parties.
Find out where to get helpFamily and domestic violence
Family and domestic violence includes any violent, threatening, or controlling behaviour that occurs in family, intimate, or past relationships. It can affect anyone – regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, or financial situation.
Abusers may use intimidation, fear, or threats to control your money or pressure you into financial decisions. This type of financial control can keep you dependent on them, and make it feel harder or less safe to leave the relationship.
Financial coercion and control
Financial coercion and control is when someone uses deception, pressure, or intimidation to control your finances. It can include making decisions about your money without asking you, hiding information about your accounts, opening accounts or loans in your name without your consent, or limiting your access to funds.
These behaviours can make it difficult to understand your own financial situation, and can lead to debt or other financial problems.
Elder financial abuse
Elder financial abuse occurs when someone takes advantage of an older person to cause them financial harm. Older adults may be more vulnerable if they rely on others for decision-making, or if they're showing signs of dementia or cognitive decline.
This type of abuse may involve taking money or valuables, pressuring changes to wills or powers of attorney, misusing legal authority, or exploiting the person’s trust. It can be carried out by family members, carers, neighbours, support workers, guardians, or even strangers.
Learn more about elder financial abuseScams and fraud
Scams and fraud involve tricking someone into giving away their money, personal information, or both. Scammers often build trust using lies, manipulation, or emotional pressure – over weeks, months, or even years.
Scams and fraud come in many forms, including romance, impersonation, and remote access scams, phishing, and fraudulent investment opportunities. It's important to know what to look out for, as they can cause significant financial loss and emotional distress.
Learn how to protect yourself from scamsHow to protect yourself
There are practical steps you can take to keep yourself safe if someone is trying to control your finances or use your money without consent.
Everyone deserves to feel safe and in control of their finances. If you're experiencing financial abuse or think you may be at risk, we’re here to help – confidentially and without judgement.
Learn how you can protect yourselfExternal support services
These organisations can provide confidential advice, support, legal assistance, or protection if you or someone you know might be experiencing financial abuse.
Support services in New South Wales
- 13YARN — 13 92 76 (24/7)
Free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. - 1800RESPECT — 1800 737 732 (24/7)
A 24-hour helpline that provides free, confidential counselling, information and support for anyone experiencing, or at risk of, domestic, family or sexual violence. - Ageing and Disability Commission — 1800 628 221
Provides support and reporting services for adults and older people with disability who are experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation. - Department of Communities and Justice — 1800 656 463 (Domestic Violence Line)
A domestic voilence helpline that provides confidential counselling, support and referrals for experiencing domestic violence. - Multicultural NSW – Interpreting & Translation — (02) 8255 6767
Provides interpreting and document translation services across many languages. - NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Guardianship Division) — (02) 8255 6767
Provides information, support and decision-making services for adults who may need a guardian or financial manager. - Relationships Australia NSW — 1300 364 277
Provides counselling, mediation and support for individuals and families affected by abuse, conflict or relationship breakdown. - Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW — 1800 319 458
Free financial counselling for people in rural and remote areas, including support during financial hardship. - Say It Out Loud
An online resource supporting LGBTIQA+ communities with information on healthy relationships, family and intimate partner violence, safety planning and access to inclusive support services.
Support services in Queensland
- 13YARN — 13 92 76 (24/7)
Free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. - 1800RESPECT— 1800 737 732 (24/7)
A 24-hour helpline that provides free, confidential counselling, information and support for anyone experiencing, or at risk of, domestic, family or sexual violence. - Domestic Violence Prevention Centre— (07) 5591 4222
Counselling, safety planning, crisis support and specialist domestic violence services. - DV Connect— 1800 811 811 (24/7)
Offers 24/7 crisis support, safety planning, and referrals for people affected by domestic or family violence. - Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)— 131 450
24/7 interpreting support for people with limited English. - Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (Disability Advocacy)— (07) 3844 4200
Advocacy support for people with disability, including those experiencing abuse or rights violations. - Relationships Australia QLD — 1300 364 277
Provides counselling, mediation and support for individuals and families affected by abuse, conflict or relationship breakdown. - Rural Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland— (07) 4622 5500
Free financial counselling for people in regional and rural communities experiencing financial hardship. - Say It Out Loud
An online resource supporting LGBTIQA+ communities with information on healthy relationships, family and intimate partner violence, safety planning and access to inclusive support services.
Support services in New South Wales
- 13YARN — 13 92 76 (24/7)
Free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. - 1800RESPECT — 1800 737 732 (24/7)
A 24-hour helpline that provides free, confidential counselling, information and support for anyone experiencing, or at risk of, domestic, family or sexual violence. - Ageing and Disability Commission — 1800 628 221
Provides support and reporting services for adults and older people with disability who are experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation. - Department of Communities and Justice — 1800 656 463 (Domestic Violence Line)
A domestic voilence helpline that provides confidential counselling, support and referrals for experiencing domestic violence. - Multicultural NSW – Interpreting & Translation — (02) 8255 6767
Provides interpreting and document translation services across many languages. - NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Guardianship Division) — (02) 8255 6767
Provides information, support and decision-making services for adults who may need a guardian or financial manager. - Relationships Australia NSW — 1300 364 277
Provides counselling, mediation and support for individuals and families affected by abuse, conflict or relationship breakdown. - Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW — 1800 319 458
Free financial counselling for people in rural and remote areas, including support during financial hardship. - Say It Out Loud
An online resource supporting LGBTIQA+ communities with information on healthy relationships, family and intimate partner violence, safety planning and access to inclusive support services.
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