How the No Interest Loans Scheme Works
No Interest Loans are available to help people on low incomes buy essential household items or services. Watch the clip or read below to see who is eligible, how the No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) works and how to apply for a No Interest Loan.
What is Nils?
No Interest Loans are available to buy essential household items or services
You only repay the amount borrowed – no interest is charged on the loan
Easy automatic repayments are available
People living on low incomes have easy access to affordable, fair and safe credit, up to $1,500
Am I eligible?
To be eligible you must:
Have a Health Care/Pension Card or earn less than $45,000 (after tax), and
have lived in your current or previous residence for at least 3 months, and
Show a willingness and capacity to repay.
How does it work?
Nils is circular community credit. Every repayment you make, can then be used by someone else.

What can you buy with a Nils?
Household Equipment like fridges, washing machines and clothes dryers
Technology including laptops and other computer equipment
Household Equipment like fridges, Furniture items like beds, lounge suites or baby furniture
Outdoor Equipment such as lawn mowers or barbeques
Health Items, for example, asthma pumps, dentistry, optometry
Motor Vehicle-related registration, repairs, tyres and selected other costs
Nils can’t be used for rent, bond, bills, debt or cash.
How can I apply?
ONLINE
To apply online, continue below to find the process.
PHONE
If you aren’t familiar or don’t have access to email, please call 9673 1211
ENQUIRY
If you’d like to know more about Nils, please call 9673 1211
How long does assessment take?
Once a loan application is submitted, it’s typically 24-48 hours when the loan assessor will contact you with your outcome.
The loan application process can be done in less than an hour if you provide the enquiry form and all supporting documentation beforehand.
APPLY ONLINE (to come)

Bridging the Gap, in partnership with Good Shepherd, is proud to be an accredited NILS provider. Our service is called Nepean NILS and we serve the Penrith and Blacktown Local Government areas.