• Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has tools and services to make it easier to get your tax and superannuation right. The ATO also provide support during crisis events and difficult times. If you experience financial hardship and are struggling to meet tax obligations, contact the ATO as soon as possible.
• ATO’s Tax Help program is free and helps eligible people earning $60,000 or less lodge their tax return online.
• Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) maintains a register of tax practitioners who are allowed to prepare or lodge your tax returns, notices or statements, or to provide you with tax advice – you can check this on the TPB website.
• ASBFEO’s Tax Concierge Service can help small business navigate the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) process. If you think you have suffered financial loss due to the action of the ATO, they can also help you to navigate the Compensation for Detriment caused by Defective Administration (CDDA) scheme.
• Legal assistance services list a range of services delivered by legal assistance providers that can help people with a legal problem.
• Justice Connect has close connections with over 10,000 lawyers through their network of pro bono member firms so that people facing legal problems can get the help they need.
• National Tax Clinic program is a government-funded initiative to help people who may not be able to afford professional advice and representation with their tax affairs.

We advise you to call the ATO’s Client Identity Support Centre (CISC) on 1800 467 033 if you know or suspect that someone has stolen your tax file number (TFN) or is using your tax-related information illegally. More information can be found on their website Help for identity theft | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au).

In addition to the above steps to protect yourself online, here’s some additional resources to help you recognise and report scams.

• ID Care supports individuals impacted by data breaches. 
• Scamwatch collect scam reports and coordinate action to combat scams. It also help people spot and avoid scams.
• Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) leads the Australian Government’s efforts to improve cyber security and help to make Australia the most secure place to connect online.

• Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) help consumers and businesses understand their rights and responsibilities, and investigate businesses where they might be breaking the law. There are several free services that can help you if you are struggling with debt.
• Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is Australia’s integrated corporate, markets, financial services and consumer credit regulator. They have several resources to help businesses and individuals with various financial matters. ASIC’s Moneysmart website has helpful information about seeking financial advice.
• Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) is responsible for the oversight of the Australia’s personal insolvency regime. AFSA has resources to help you managing debts.
• National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) independently detect, investigate and report on serious or systemic corruption in the Commonwealth public sector.
• Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) promote and uphold your rights to access government-held information and have your personal information protected.
• Services Australia delivers payments and services to help Australian with various needs. They have support to inform and educate you about financial matters.
• Department of Education provides resources and support through early education, school, higher education and research.
• Department of Employment and Workplace Relations offers support for people to have a safe, secure and well-paid work with the skills for a sustainable future.

If you believe that the amount raised is incorrect, you may challenge the decision by lodging an objection with the ATO. Information on how to object is available on the ATO’s website.

If you are not happy with the ATO’s objection decision, you may appeal the decision to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal or the Federal Court of Australia.

You should seek your own independent legal or tax advice if you need help in these matters.

• Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) can review a range of decisions, made by the Commissioner of Taxation (the Commissioner) under the taxation law that relate to small business entities in the Small Business Taxation Division. If you are not a small business entity, you can still apply for review of most taxation decisions in the Taxation and Commercial Division.
• Federal Court of Australia can hear proceedings relating to tax appeals pursuant to Part IVC of the Taxation Administration Act 1953 from decisions made by the Commissioner of Taxation; questions of law and taxation on appeal from the AAT; and any recovery or other proceeding collateral to a tax dispute.

• Commonwealth Ombudsman can assist to resolve your non-taxation complaint by investigating the processes of certain government agency, provider or organisation.
• Fair Work Ombudsman monitors, inquires into, investigates, and enforces compliance with Australia’s workplace laws.
• Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) responds to requests for assistance from small businesses and family enterprises that are in dispute with other businesses or Commonwealth Government agencies.
• Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) operates an independent external dispute resolution scheme that resolves complaints about financial firms.

State-based Ombudsman can generally assist with handling complaints about state/territory government agencies, local councils, as well as some community services for children, young people and families.

• ACT Ombudsman
• New South Wales Ombudsman
• Ombudsman NT
• Ombudsman SA
• Ombudsman Tasmania
• Ombudsman Western Australia
• Queensland Ombudsman
• Victorian Ombudsman

• National Debt Helpline can direct you to a financial counsellor who can provide you with personalised financial advice.
• Small Business Debt Helpline provides free financial counselling support for small business owners and sole traders experiencing financial hardship.
• Wesley Financial Counselling Services provide free, independent and confidential counselling to assist people experiencing financial difficulty.
• Services Australia offers help in an emergency. In the event of extreme circumstances resulting in severe hardship, individuals can access a one-off non-taxable crisis payment.
• Ask Izzy connects people in need with support services such as housing, meals, counselling, financial assistance, domestic and family violence and more.

Any behaviour that’s violent, threatening, controlling or intended to make you or your family feel scared and unsafe can be considered family and domestic violence.

• Call 000 if you are in immediate danger.
• Services Australia can help you access their payments and connect you to other support services.
• There are other organisations to help you with counselling, support and advice.

• The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry offers drought and rural support for farmers and communities.
• Services Australia offers a Farm Household Allowance payment to farming families in financial hardship.
• The National Emergency Management Agency helps Australians who have been affected by natural disasters, including floods, bushfires and drought.
• Disaster Assist offers disaster recovery funding arrangements. This includes the Disaster Recovery Payment (DRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA).
• Recovery Connect is a tool that helps you find services and support to prepare for and recover from disasters and major natural events.

• Lifeline are a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
• Beyond Blue is a national organisation that provides free and confidential mental health support, information and resources for Australians.
• MindSpot provides free, digital mental health services to adults across Australia including a free and confidential online assessment tool that can be used to learn more about the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and access clinically proven treatment options.