NILs loans can provide financial assistance for essential items and services, including whitegoods, medical expenses, education, and vehicle repairs and maintenance. Loans of up to $2,000 may be available, repayable by fortnightly payments over 12 months to 2 years. For mobile phones and tablets, the item price must not exceed $1,000.

Am I eligible?

  • Earn less that $70,000 annual income (before tax) as a single person or $100,000 annual income (before tax) if you have a partner or children
  • OR have a health care card / pension card
  • OR have experienced family or domestic violence in the last 10 years
  • AND You can show you can afford to repay the loan

What DOES NILS cover:

  • Household items such as white goods and furniture
  • Some medical and dental services
  • Education needs such as computers, books, camps and uniforms
  • Car repairs or registration

Does NOT Cover:

  • Bills
  • Fines
  • Holidays
  • Be provided in cash amounts

Please note that our Castlemaine office is currently short-staffed and will only be attended intermittently until late October, when normal office activities are expected to resume.

In the meantime, you can either:

  1. Contact us by phone on a Wednesday to check whether the office is attended that day; or
  1. Once you have your documents ready, make an appointment with the NILs provider in Bendigo:
  • Bendigo Family and Financial Services
  • 37–39 Rowan Street, Bendigo
  • PH: 5441 5277

When: Wednesdays (by appointment)
Time: 9.30am – 3.00pm
Where: Castlemaine Community House, 30 Templeton Street