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| No Interest Loan Scheme |
NILS Network of Tasmania
P.O. Box 132
Battery Point 7004
Telephone: 03 6224 6597
Statewide local call: 1300 301 650
Fax: 03 6223 4504
Email: coordinator@nilstasmania.org.au
The NILS Network of Tasmania office is open from 9am to 3pm Monday
to Friday.
The NILS Network of Tasmania provides interest-free loans for
individuals or families on low incomes. There is no interest, nor
charges or fees. These loans can be for essential household items,
small business, reuniting Humanitarian (refugee) entrants, or for
moving expenses for women facing domestic violence. You must have a
Centrelink Health Care Card or Pension Card.
NILS loans have the capacity to turn people’s lives around. Loan
recipients often find that for the first time in their lives they
are able to own something new and reliable. There is also a sense of
pride and achievement associated with the completion of a loan.
Paying off a NILS loan has been used by some loan recipients to show
other credit providers that they have the capacity to repay borrowed
money.
No Interest Loans Schemes like NILS Tasmania operate in all
Australian states. They offer a form of revolving community credit
to low income earners - as borrowers repay their loans the funds
become available to lend to other people. Support from business and
government sectors is vital in establishing and maintaining these
community-based schemes.
NILS Tasmania, in partnership with its network of member agencies, aims to provide interest free loans to low income Tasmanians for a range of essential purposes.
NILS Tasmania is incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1964. It has Public Benevolent Institution Status, Income Tax Exempt Charity Status and Gift Deductibility Status. NILS is made up of a committee of management, paid staff and a committed group of volunteer member agencies. There is a Loans Assessment Committee, which is responsible for assessing all loans.
The NILS Network of Tasmania seeks to give low income earners the opportunity to improve their standard of living through access to reliable and efficient white goods, heating appliances, medical equipment and other household goods. It is a goal of the NILS Network to provide interest-free loans to those low income Tasmanians who are able to afford the repayments.
In 1999, the Just Tasmania Coalition (consisting of Anglicare
Tasmania, the Tasmanian Council of Social Services and the Poverty
Coalition) conducted consultations around Tasmania to look at issues
concerning people on a low income. One of the major issues that was
raised was the need for access to affordable credit. People on low
incomes often find it necessary to use credit for the purchase of
essential items as it is too difficult to save the full price of
household items such as a fridge, washing machine, furniture or
television. The high interest rates associated with commercial
credit greatly increases the cost of the purchase. Some people
decide to rent appliances but this is expensive, and buying second
hand goods can entail higher running or repair costs.
In response to the Just Tasmania consultations, Anglicare was funded
by Aurora Energy and the State Government to look into a credit or
grant scheme for low income earners. Anglicare’s report recommended
the establishment of a no-interest loan scheme in Tasmania. With
funding provided by the Tasmanian Community Fund, Aurora and the
Federal Group, as well as support from the Westpac Bank, the NILS
Network of Tasmania was established on 1st July 2002
NILS Tasmania is supported in its work by Aurora Energy, the
Federal Group and the Tasmanian State Government.
The National Australia Bank provides NILS Tasmania with access to
loan capital free of interest and fees as part of its commitment to
support No Interest Loan Schemes across Australia.
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“I was left with absolutely nothing but a suitcase full of clothes and care of my teenage daughter. I was residing in a women’s shelter. My husband had a bad gambling problem. He gambled away years of battling virtually in two years. I finally moved into a Housing home and of course, had nothing. I heard about NILS and applied for a washing machine as I have arthritis and am recovering from an illness. I washed by hand and could not afford to get credit or be accepted as a customer. I am so very grateful that NILS exists.”
- Jean