No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) for low-income earners
We understand that big household expenses sometimes come out of the blue. As a No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) provider, MTC Australia facilitates loans for people who earn a low income.
If approved, this allows you to purchase white goods and other household items without having to worry about paying fees or interest.
How much can I borrow?
Borrow up to $2000 for essentials such as appliances or furniture, to help you get your car back on the road, pay for education fees and equipment or help you cover the cost of goods and services to support your wellbeing.
Borrow up to $3000 for housing related expenses such as bond or rent in advance, or for recovery from a natural disaster.
What can I use a NILS loan for?
Borrow up to $2000 for essential goods and services including:
- Household items like appliances, whitegoods & furniture
- Car repairs & registration
- Medical, dental, wellbeing and life event expenses
- Technology like a phone or laptop
- Education expenses like fees or uniforms
- Employment expenses like licenses or equipment
Borrow up to $3,000 for:
- Bond & rent in advance
- Rates
- Costs associated with a natural disaster
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for a loan from NILS, you need to:
OR Have experienced family or domestic violence in the last 10 years
OR Have a Health Care Card / Pension Card
AND You can show you can afford to repay the loan
Be a resident of NSW
What identification do you need?
You must verify your identity either by the Green ID System or with 100 points of identification.
If you are unable to use the Green ID System, you’re 100 points of identification much include at least one of the following Primary Documents worth 70 points each:
- Australian Drivers Licence
- Australian Passport or other International Travel Document
- Proof of Age Card
- Birth Certificate
- Citizenship Certificate
- Social Security Pension or Pension Card
And may include any of the Secondary Documents 30 points each:
- Medicare Card
- Australian Taxation Office Notice
- A Utility Bill
- Tertiary Education Institution Photo ID
- ID Card issued by a Foreign Government
- International Licence
- Licence Paper – Australian Government Issue
- Rates Notice
- ID Card, Permit, or Other Australian Government issue licence including Boat Licence, Shooting Licence, Firearm Licence, Security Licence, etc.
Other documentation
You must also be able to provide a document from each of these seven categories:
- Proof of income (current Centrelink statement and/or your last three payslips)
- Proof of housing expense
- A bank transaction summary for the last 90 days (no more than one week old)
- Utility bills (electricity, gas) and any other recent bills
- Any other loan statements – (credit card, loan repayments, etc) that show your regular expenses
- A quote of what your loan will be used for, including the retailer’s banking payment details
- Details of a secondary contact person including name, phone number, email address, and relationship to you
At least one document from each of the seven categories must be provided. The documents cannot be more than one week old. MTC cannot accept substitutes for these documents.
How does the NILS work?
Loans are usually given from $200 up to a maximum of $2,000. This amount can vary depending on your financial circumstances. You can use the loan to buy energy and water-efficient white goods (like a fridge, washing machine, dryer, or hot-water heater) and household items such as furniture, a computer, an oven, or a TV.
You may also be able to use the loan to cover car expenses, medical costs, or education expenses. The loan can’t be used for cash advances or debt repayments.
Your repayment amounts can be tailored to suit your circumstances, so you don’t get caught short. The term of the loan is usually 12-24 months, with no fees or interest charged.
NILS is a recycling pool of money – as you make your repayments, the money becomes available for the next borrower. By paying back your loan, you’ll help other people benefit from the same opportunity.
How to apply for a NILS loan
To apply for a NILS loan, call MTC Australia on 1300 232 663 or fill out the online enquiry form to check whether you’re eligible. You can also see more information in our factsheet.
We will then guide you through the application process and arrange an interview with you.
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