Personal Debt Worries Hit 6-Year High as More Aussies Find Themselves on Struggle Street

The National Debt Helpline received a record number of calls in the last financial year.

A silhouette of a stressed male high school student in Wollongong, Australia, on Feb. 28, 2025. AAP Image/Dean Lewins

Mortgage and utilities costs are among multiple factors compelling a record number of Australians to contact the National Debt Helpline in the past financial year.

The service received over 168,000 requests for help in 2024/25, the highest number of calls and chat messages since 2018/19, and the demand shows no sign of diminishing.