Record Turnout Anticipated at Melbourne Debt Relief Event as Cost-of-Living Crisis Deepens
South East Community Links expects a record 500+ attendees at today's "Bring Your Bills" event in Springvale. The initiative targets a growing group of "working poor" and middle-income earners struggling with A$8.1 million in collective debt amid rising interest rates and utility costs.
Harry Taruva 
Springvale - More than 500 residents are expected to attend the "Bring Your Bills" event at Springvale City Hall today, marking the largest attendance in the program’s history as Victorian households struggle with escalating financial pressures.
The event, organized by South East Community Links (SECL), comes at a critical juncture for families facing a "perfect storm" of rising energy costs, back-to-school expenses and the lingering impact of holiday debt.
Peter McNamara, Chief Executive Officer of SECL, noted that February typically represents a breaking point for many households as interest rate rises begin to affect monthly budgets.
The program is seeing a shift in the types of individuals seeking assistance.
Rachna Madaan Bowman, Head of Financial Wellbeing at SECL, reported that the crisis is increasingly impacting middle-income earners and those in active employment.
"We’re seeing more people who are working, sometimes in two jobs and still finding they can’t keep up with rising costs," Ms. Bowman said, "this is no longer just about unemployment, it’s about affordability".
Key statistics from 2025 highlight the scale of the issue with A$8.1 million in total debt and bills addressed across four previous events; A$350,000 in debts successfully waived for participants; A$550,000 in grants and concessions secured for struggling households and 75% of current attendees are seeking professional financial help for the first time.
A significant challenge identified by SECL is that 79% of attendees had not contacted their service providers before seeking community support.
To bridge this gap, the event hosts over 25 partners under one roof, including banks, utility providers, Centrelink and legal support services.
To ensure accessibility for one of Australia's most diverse regions, the event provides interpreters in Vietnamese, Urdu, Pashto, Dari and Chinese.
"Even small increases in repayments or utilities can tip families into crisis," Mr. McNamara warned, noting that with further interest rate rises predicted for 2026, demand for these services is likely to remain at record levels.
