No interest loan scheme program - auspice for NSW State Co-ordinator 

Please note: NILS® is a registered trademark of Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service.

Program summary

Developed by Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service nearly 30 years ago, No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS®) is a community managed microcredit state-wide program providing fee-free 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.

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®, NSW Fair Trading and the Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service
• providing strategic advice to NSW Fair Trading Good Shepherd organisation on the operation of NILS® schemes in NSW.

Key dates

The current funding period is 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2014.

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
• 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.

How much funding is available?

$100,703 (plus GST) is currently available for the NSW State co-ordinator's position. 

Current priorities

NSW 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.

Currently funded service

The currently funded organisation to 30 June 2014 is:

Lismore Neighbourhood Centre
76 Carrington Street
Lismore NSW 2480
Telephone: 6621 7397

How to apply

For information on funding under this program, please refer to the NSW NILS Co-ordinator Guidelines 2012 in PDF format (size: 296kb).

Want more information?

Contact Community and Industry Grants Branch at grants@services.nsw.gov.au or phone 9619 8731 or fax on 9777 8810.

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