Please note: this is a new program that will start on 1 September 2008.

Program summary

The NSW No Interest Loan Scheme Program (NILS) is a community managed microcredit state-wide program providing 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. Occasionally loans for motor vehicle repairs are provided for applicants in communities without public transport.

NSW State Co-ordinator

The purpose of the co-ordinator’s position is to provide ongoing support to NILS schemes throughout NSW by:

• providing information/assistance to community based organisations which are establishing a NILS scheme
• providing 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 all NILS network
• acting as the communications conduit between NILS, Office of Fair Trading and the Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service
• providing strategic advice to the Office of Fair Trading Good Shepherd organisation on the operation of NILS schemes in NSW.

Key dates

Next call for applications will be March/April 2010.

Current funding period for the program is 1 September 2008 to 30 June 2010.

Who can apply?

Applications can be made by:

• financially viable, community based not-for-profit organisations incorporated in NSW
• organisations committed 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?

To effectively achieve a well managed NSW NILS Network a Co-ordinator‘s position will be funded to provide ongoing support to NILS schemes throughout NSW. The objective of the NILS program is to provide a funding contribution to community based, non-profit organisations that operate in NSW to provide interest free loans of up to $1,200 to low income earners for the purchase of essential household or medical goods and services. 

Current priorities

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.

Funded services

The currently funded organisation to 30 June 2010 is:

Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre Inc.
62 White Cross Road
Winmalee NSW 2777
Telephone: 4754 4050

How to apply

Information on how to apply can be accessed at the following links:

Covering letter in Word format (size: 190k)
Guidance notes in Word format (size: 53k)
Program guidelines in PDF format (size: 88k)
Good Shepherd Participation Agreement in PDF format (size: 359k)
Expression of interest in Word format (size: 144k).

Want more information?

Contact Community & Industry Grants at grants@oft.commerce.nsw.gov.au or phone the Grants Officer on 9619 8731 or fax on 9777 8810.