How can I get my relative’s super after they die?
Short Answer
You can ask your relative’s super company to pay some or all of their super to you. The super company will decide who gets the money.
Death benefits
Short Answer
When can I get my super?
Short Answer
When you turn 65 or reach preservation age.
How much super do I have? Where is it?
Short Answer
You can ask your employer what super company you are with. You can also call the ATO to find out.
Then you can talk to your super company and ask them how much money is in your account.
Get to know your super
Short Answer
What is superannuation (super)?
Short Answer
Superannuation (super) is your money. Your employer has to pay money to a super company where it’s saved for you until you retire from work.
I’m worried my kids aren’t safe to use their phones or computers, what do I do?
Short Answer
If you think your kids might be experiencing technology abuse, talk to them about technology safety.
If you think someone is using your kids’ phones and computers to harass you, talk to someone about it.
You can call 1800Respect (1800 737 732) for help making a safety plan for you and your kids.
I think someone is bullying me on my phone or social media. What should I do?
Short Answer
If you are being bullied or threatened on your phone or online, you can talk to someone at 1800 Respect. Call 1800 737 732.
I signed a contract and I don’t read English well. I don’t know what I signed for. What can I do?
Short Answer
When you sign a contract it is hard to cancel it. You should get help from a lawyer.
I borrowed money to buy my car, but I can’t pay the loan back. What can I do?
Short Answer
Talk to a financial counsellor or a lawyer.
Centrelink says that I owe them money.
Short Answer
Check any letters you got from Centrelink. Ask them to explain why they say you owe money? Ask them what you can do to fix the problem. To get help with this call a legal service.
Someone is chasing me for money I owe. I can’t pay it. What can I do?
Short Answer
Talk to a financial counsellor or community legal service. Financial counsellors help you with money problems and can help talk to the people chasing you to work out a plan. This is a free, private service.
I have a fine that I can’t pay all at once. What are my options?
Short Answer
You can talk to the fines recovery unit to make a plan to pay the fine over time. You can get help with your fine from a legal service or financial counsellor.
I got an email saying I won the lotto. I put money in the account, like they asked, but I haven’t got my money. What can I do?
Short Answer
This sounds like a scam. If you think you have given your details to a scammer, contact your bank straight away.
I just found out that someone took money out of my account, but it wasn’t me. What do I do?
Short Answer
Talk to your bank straight away. They can help you find out where the money has gone.
I got an email from my bank/Centrelink asking for my bank details? Should I give them out?
Short Answer
This could be a scam. Do not send any information. The bank, government or Centrelink will never send you an email that asks you for your personal information.
Call NT Consumer Affairs for help on 1800 019 319.
Someone I met online asked to borrow some money from me, but they won’t pay it back.
Short Answer
Sometimes people pretend to be your friend to get money from you. If you lend money to someone you met online, it could be a scam.
I got a Facebook message from a friend asking for money to get a new passport
Short Answer
This might be a scam, be very careful. Someone might be pretending to be your friend. Don’t give them any money. Check with your friend on the phone or in person. Ask other trusted friends if they know what is happening.
Look at the Scamwatch website: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/
I got ripped off by someone. What can I do?
Short Answer
If you were scammed or tricked you may not be able to get your money back. It depends on who tricked you. The links below help you work out what to do or call a legal service to get help.
Have a look at the Scamwatch website: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/
I get lots of phone calls from businesses and charities asking for money or to sell me something. Can I make it stop?
Short Answer
You can tell them to stop calling you and tell them not to call again. You can also sign up to the ‘Do Not Call’ register. This stops most businesses from calling you but does not stop charities from calling you. you can find the ‘Do Not Call’ website here: https://www.donotcall.gov.au.
I am renting something but I think I am spending too much money.
Short Answer
Renting something may look cheaper but it can cost more than buying it. If you have signed a contract you might not be able to get out of it.
What do I need to know if I am buying something secondhand?
Short Answer
Make sure the thing (product) is safe, and get any safety instructions -especially for baby products. If you are buying from a private seller, you don’t have the same rights (protection) as when you buy from a shop.
Call NT Consumer Affairs on 1800 019 319.
People keep knocking on my door to sell me things. How can I make them stop?
Short Answer
Put a sign or sticker on your door or house that says ‘Do not knock’. When you do this, sales people are not allowed to knock.
Call NT Consumer Affairs on 1800 019 319.
Someone hassled me to buy/sign something I don’t want. What can I do?
Short Answer
It depends where and when you buy the thing or sign the papers. If it was unsolicited (the seller came to you), then you may have a ‘cooling-off’ period. The law gives you time to change your mind. If you buy something in a shop – there is no cooling off period.
Call NT Consumer Affairs on 1800 019 319 for help.
I signed a phone or internet contract, but I don’t get phone or internet service in my area. Do I have to pay their bills?
Short Answer
Talk to the company and tell them why you want to stop paying their bills. If you can’t fix the problem with the company, talk to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
I bought something online but it wasn’t what I expected. Can I get my money back?
Short Answer
The thing (product) that you bought must be the same as the thing on the website. It must be the same as the photo on the website.
Call NT Consumer Affairs on 1800 019 319.
I bought something from overseas, but it did not come yet. What can I do?
Short Answer
The first step is to talk with the company. Normally you can do this through ebay or by email. Overseas companies must follow the Australian Consumer Law and give you what you paid for. If a company asks for extra money for something like ‘customs fees’, it might be a scam.
Call NT Consumer Affairs on 1800 019 319.
I bought something but it doesn’t work. What do I do?
Short Answer
Take the item back to the shop with your receipt and ask them for a replacement, repair, or refund.
Domestic violence is happening to one of my workers. What do I do?
Short Answer
If someone is in danger now, call police on 000. If your worker is badly hurt or you think they will get badly hurt, you must report serious domestic violence to the police. Call 131 444. This is called mandatory reporting. Workers who are victims of domestic violence have some special rights to time off and support. See below.
Domestic violence is happening to someone I know – what do I need to do?
Short Answer
You must report serious domestic violence to the Police Assistance Line on 131 444. This is called mandatory reporting.
What happens to my gun licence if a DVO is made against me?
Short Answer
If a final DVO is made against you by a judge, your gun licence will be cancelled for the time the DVO is in place and for five years after the DVO finishes.
The Police made a DVO against me, what can I do?
Short Answer
Police can make a temporary DVO, but they must ask a judge in court to make the final DVO. Go to court and talk to the judge if you do not agree with the rules the police made in the temporary DVO.
What happens if I don’t follow the rules in a DVO?
Short Answer
It is against the law to break the rules of a DVO.
Someone is being violent and abusive to me, but I am not in a domestic relationship with them. What can I do?
Short Answer
You can ask (apply) to the Local Court for a personal violence restraining order. You can ask a lawyer to help you.
I am experiencing domestic violence and have no money.
Short Answer
You might be able to get a crisis payment from Centrelink.
Explain to Centrelink why you need extra money.
I have experienced domestic violence and need some time off work. Can I get some time off?
Short Answer
Some workplaces have domestic violence leave. You might be able to take domestic violence leave.
If you need to take time off work you can also talk to a doctor and ask for a medical certificate.
I am on a visa and my partner is violent. What can I do?
Short Answer
If your partner was violent to you and you left, you may be able to stay in Australia. You may be able to stay even if you are not with your partner any more. Ask a lawyer to explain the law and to help you.
I rent a place and it got damaged because of DV. What can I do?
Short Answer
When there is damage to a place you rent because of domestic violence, you may not need to pay to fix it. Report the damage to your landlord or agent as soon as possible. If someone tries to make you pay for the damage see a lawyer.
I share a house with a person being violent. What can I do?
Short Answer
If you need help, call the Police on 131 444. In an emergency, call 000.
A judge can make a DVO rule to tell a violent person to leave the house. This is called a vacate order. Call the Legal Aid helpline for more information.
When there is domestic violence, a judge can end a lease, change a lease or make a new lease.
How can a DVO protect my kids?
Short Answer
Children can also be protected by the rules in a DVO. Children can be included as a protected person. The DVO can have rules to tell a person not to do things in front of the children, like swear or be violent.
I am protected by a DVO. How can I change the DVO?
Short Answer
Only a judge can change the rules in a DVO. You must go to court to change the DVO. It is good to get help from a lawyer in court.
How do I get a DVO?
Short Answer
There are two ways to get a DVO in the NT. 1. Talk to the police. The police can make a temporary DVO without going to court. Later, they will ask a judge in a court to decide about the final DVO. 2. A person can go to court and ask the Judge to make a DVO. There are rules about how to do this. You can get advice and maybe a lawyer to help you.
What are the different kinds of DVOs?
Short Answer
There are many different types of DVOs. Three common kinds of DVO are: ● Full non-contact (stay away) ● Non-intoxication (non-drinking) ● Non-violence (no harm)
What is a domestic violence order (DVO)?
Short Answer
A DVO is an order made by the judge in court to stop a person (the defendant) doing things that hurt another person (the protected person). This is usually a relative or close person. The police can quickly make a temporary domestic violence order (DVO). Later, police will go to court and a judge will decide if the DVO keeps going.
What is domestic violence?
Short Answer
Domestic violence is where one person in a domestic relationship does things to hurt or control the other person in the relationship.
I am a victim of domestic violence. What can I do?
Short Answer
If you are hurt or someone is trying to hurt you, call NT Police on 000. If you are ready to leave your house, go somewhere that you feel safe. Talk to the police or get legal advice about applying for a domestic violence order.
I have to leave my house because of violence. What can I do?
Short Answer
First you need to go to a safe place. If you rent a house and it is not safe for you to go back, you may be able to end your lease early. Free services can help you find a place to stay and end your lease.
Ask a lawyer to help you.
I do not agree with a decision of Department of Housing – what can I do?
Short Answer
If you are not happy with a decision of the Department of Housing, you can lodge an appeal with the Department of Housing.
Ask a lawyer to help you with the appeal.
I have a problem with the service delivery of the Department of Housing – what can I do?
Short Answer
If you are not happy with the service provided by the Department of Housing, you may make a complaint about the service to the Department of Housing.
Can the Department of Housing make me change houses?
Short Answer
If you are not happy with a decision of the Department of Housing, you can lodge an appeal with the Department of Housing.
Ask a lawyer to help you with the appeal.