Struggling with debt repayments?
Start your debt review application under the National Credit Act. We'll assess what you can afford, and work with your credit providers to bring your instalments down to a level you can actually manage.
Already received a court summons from a creditor? Read this first — timing matters.
What debt review does
- Restructures your monthly instalments to an amount you can actually afford.
- Once in place and you're keeping to the plan, creditors can't repossess your goods or take further legal action against you for those debts.
- Often reduces the interest rate you're being charged.
- Combines everything into one manageable monthly payment.
How it works
- Register an account and complete a short intake form.
- We assess your income, expenses, and debts to see what you can afford.
- We prepare your application (Form 16) for you to review and sign.
- We put a restructured proposal (Form 17.1) to your credit providers.
- We track their responses and keep you updated by email as your case progresses.
Frequently asked questions
What is debt review?
Debt review (formally "debt counselling") is a legal process under the National Credit Act that restructures your monthly instalments to an amount you can afford, while giving you legal protection from repossession and further legal action for the debts included, as long as you keep to the agreed plan.
Am I eligible for debt review?
Generally, yes, if you have one or more credit agreements under the National Credit Act and can no longer comfortably meet your monthly obligations. There is one important exception: if a credit provider has already served you with a summons on a specific debt, that particular debt is usually no longer eligible - see Already got a summons? for the full explanation.
How do I start my application?
Register an account, then complete the intake form. Our team takes it from there - capturing your debts and expenses, running an affordability assessment, and preparing your documents.
What information or documents will I need?
Your ID number, contact details, employer and income information, and details of every debt you want included (creditor name, account number, balance, and instalment). If you have any letters of demand, summonses, or judgments, have those on hand too.
Do I need my own lawyer to apply?
No - a registered debt counsellor and supervising advocate handle your application. You're always welcome to get independent legal advice, especially if your matter is complicated.
How long does the whole process take?
It varies by case - how many creditors are involved and how quickly they respond matters most. Expect it to take some weeks from intake to a finalised proposal, not days.
What is Form 16?
Form 16 is your formal application for debt review under section 86(1) of the National Credit Act, drafted from your intake details, reviewed by our supervising advocate, then sent to you to review and sign.
What is Form 17.1?
Form 17.1 is the proposal sent to your credit providers once your application is signed - it sets out the restructured instalments being requested from each of them.
Why do I need to sign documents electronically?
It's faster than posting paperwork back and forth, and every signature is recorded with a timestamp, your IP address, and a hash proving the document wasn't changed after you viewed it.
Can I print and sign by hand instead of signing on-screen?
Yes. On the signing page you can choose to print the document, sign it by hand, and upload a scan or photo instead of drawing a signature on-screen.
Can I add or change a debt after I've started my application?
Yes, tell us and we'll update your case. Depending on the stage you're at, a document may need to be redrafted to reflect the change.
This page is informational and does not constitute legal advice. See our Disclaimer for details, including what a generated document does and doesn't mean before it's reviewed by our team.
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