Welcome to NILS Network of Tasmania

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About NILS Tasmania

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.

Mission statement

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.

Structure

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.

Goals

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.

History

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

Corporate support

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.

- Jean