Can I ask Zip for hardship help?

Yes. Zip has a hardship process (Zip hardship assistance). Contact them and explain your situation — they should work with you on options such as a hardship payment plan.

Will asking for help hurt my credit?

Asking for hardship help should not, by itself, put a default on your credit report. If you're unsure, a free financial counsellor can explain how it applies to you — National Debt Helpline, 1800 007 007.

How to ask Zip for financial hardship help

Written and reviewed by the DebtFreedom editorial team under our editorial policy. · Last updated 8 July 2026

If you're finding it hard to keep up with Zip, you can ask for financial hardship help — you have a right to. This page explains how to reach Zip, what to say, your rights, and the free help available. You never have to pay anyone to ask for hardship assistance.

How to reach Zip

Ask for their hardship team — Zip's program is called Zip hardship assistance.

Go to zip.co and search “hardship”, or call the number on your latest bill or statement and ask for financial hardship help.

Program details last checked 8 July 2026. Providers change their pages often — always confirm current contact details on Zip's own website.

What you can ask for

A hardship payment plan
Pausing account fees where eligible
Pausing new purchases

What to say

You don't need special words. Something like: “I'm having trouble paying and I'd like to apply for financial hardship help. Can we look at my options?”Be honest about what you can realistically afford — a plan only helps if it's sustainable.

Your rights

• Buy now, pay later providers offer hardship assistance — you can ask to pause payments or set up a plan.
• You can ask them to stop further purchases while you catch up.
• A financial counsellor can deal with them on your behalf.

If you're not getting anywhere

First, ask Zip to escalate to a complaint. If you're still not satisfied, you can complain for free to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) (afca.org.au, 1800 931 678). And for free, independent advice at any time, call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.

More buy now, pay later

Afterpay hardship help

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Struggling with debt? Free, confidential help is available from the National Debt Helpline — 1800 007 007.

This page provides general information only, based on the figures shown — not financial, legal or credit advice, and it doesn’t take your circumstances into account. Consider your own situation and seek independent advice before making decisions. DebtFreedom is not a lender or a financial counsellor.

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