MercyCare recently joined sector leaders from across Australia at the National Financial Wellbeing Conference, contributing to a panel discussion focused on the theme “Beyond a NILs Loan: Integration into Financial Wellbeing Ecosystems.”
For nearly 20 years, MercyCare has delivered the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILs) to the Western Australian community, supporting individuals and families to purchase essential household items without fees or interest. The program forms part of a national microfinance initiative led by Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand (GSANZ).
Samira Husic, General Manager, Multicultural Support Services, presented perspectives on what NILs means to newly arriving refugees and multicultural communities, and MercyCare’s successful integration of NILs into the place-based service delivery.
Samira reflects on the panel:
“It was fantastic to hear how NILs is delivered in various parts of Australia and across various communities, such as Central Australia and remote Northern Territory with a specific focus on supporting Aboriginal communities, to Far North Queensland where NILs is based alongside a homelessness service.”
MercyCare remains committed to strengthening financial wellbeing by continuing to deliver NILs and working alongside partners across the sector to support people to move from immediate financial need towards greater financial resilience.
