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No Interest Loan Scheme Program- Auspice for NSW State Co-ordinator

Funder: NSW Office of Fair Trading

Program summary

The NSW No Interest Loan Scheme Program (NILS) is a community managed microcredit state-wide program providing fee and interest free loans of up to $1,200 to low income earners for the purchase of essential household or medical goods and services. The most common goods for which loans are provided are washing machines and refrigerators and the most common services are medical or dental services.

The NSW State Co-ordinator provides ongoing support to NILS Services throughout NSW that includes:

information and assistance in establishing a NILS Scheme,
training and advisory support to NILS workers,
promoting the benefits of the NILS scheme to local, regional and state forums,
providing a co-ordinating and networking role for the NILS Network, and
provision of strategic advice and keeping open communication channels between the NILS Network, Office of Fair Trading and Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service (the national accreditation body for NILS).

Key dates

Closing date of next funding round to be advised

Current funding period 1 September 2008 to 30 June 2010. Next funding round to be advertised March 2010.

Who can apply?

Applications can be made by:

a financially viable, community based not-for-profit organisation incorporated in NSW;
organisation commited to encouraging a positive, professional relationship between the NILS NSW Co-ordinator and the national accreditation body for NILS, the Good Shepherd Youth and Family Services organisation.

Who can't apply?

Applications cannot be made by:

commercially operated (for profit) organisations; or
organisations or individuals wishing to provide services or conduct services in a State or Territory other than NSW.

What will be funded?

Salary, salary on-costs and operational overhead costs for a full-time Co-ordinator's position will be funded under the Program. The role of the Co-ordinator is to properly support professional established or new community NILS Service providers.

Current priorities

The Office of Fair Trading is committed to consumer protection and social justice and strives to ensure that the community has access to information and consumer help. This includes, in part, funding organisations that provide services to low income and disadvantaged clients throughout NSW.