Nearly 170,000 Australians Contacted Debt Helpline Last Year

This was a 12 percent increase from the previous year.

Customers at cafes and retailers in Perth, Australia on Feb. 6, 2021. Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images

In 2024, more than 169,000 Australians turned to the National Debt Helpline, a notable 12 percent increase from the previous year.

While inflation shows signs of easing, this sharp rise highlights the persistent strain on households as cost-of-living pressures remain a formidable hurdle.