thanks for your reply.
i have detailed what i owe as an individual and what my partner owes under "other borrowings", its fair to say that my partner is very disiplined when it comes to money, he thinks credit cards are instruments of evil!! the long and short of it, he has a relatively acceptable amount of debt, i don't!
also having looked at the MABS website, i am not sure how this will help, as i am currently able to finance the debt with no problems (other than the speed, its just not quick enough), its more a want to clear it than a need to clear it at present. i currently have a monthly spreadsheet which comprehensively covers expenditure, so i am under no illusion as to where it all goes.