Become a member of FCVic
Membership of a state financial counselling body is a requirement for individual financial counsellors, under the Corporations Regulations 2001 and National Consumer Credit Protection Regulations 2010.
FCVic currently offers five categories of membership for individuals, and one for organisations.
Eligibility for FCVic membership is based on the individual satisfying the criteria outlined in the FCVic Membership Policy, including annual requirements to attend continuing professional development and undertake set hours of professional supervision.
Membership categories
Full Membership
Full membership is for individuals who are currently working as financial counsellors, and have the appropriate qualification, or are diploma qualified and have the appropriate experience and CPD points.
- Has had 24 months full-time experience working as a financial counsellor (including while studying if relevant)
- Holds the Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling)
- If working as a financial counsellor, meets requirements for continuing professional development and supervision
OR
- If not working as a financial counsellor, meets requirements for continuing professional development.
Individual Members pay their membership fees depending only on the number of hours they work each week. This is based on the hours that they are employed OVERALL per week, and NOT on the hours they are employed to do casework or financial counselling per week.
Part-time employment (30 hours or less a week): $175.00 per calendar year
Full-time employment (more than 30 hours a week): $275.00 per calendar year
Associate Membership
Associate membership is open to individuals who have completed the diploma, but have not met the work experience requirements for Full membership.
- Working as a financial counsellor
- Holds the Diploma of Financial Counselling and has not yet had 24 months full-time experience, however meets the requirements for continuing professional development and supervision
Individual Members pay their membership fees depending only on the number of hours they work each week. This is based on the hours that they are employed OVERALL per week, and NOT on the hours they are employed to do casework or financial counselling per week.
Part-time employment (30 hours or less a week): $175.00 per calendar year
Full-time employment (more than 30 hours a week): $275.00 per calendar year
Intern Membership
Intern membership is open to individuals who are studying the Diploma of Financial Counselling and have commenced employment as a financial counsellor (other than student placement).
- Actively studying for the Diploma of Financial Counselling; and
- Employed as a financial counsellor
Intern membership: $125.00 per calendar year
Student Membership
Student membership is for individuals who are studying for the Diploma of Financial Counselling.
- Actively studying for the Diploma of Financial Counselling
Student membership: $125.00 per calendar year
Affiliate Membership
Affiliate membership is for individuals who are not working as financial counsellors (including retired workers), or who are working in a similar field.
- An individual working in the financial counselling sector in a related role but not as a financial counsellor
OR
- Holds an accredited Diploma of Financial Counselling, but is not working as a financial counsellor and has not met the requirements for continuous professional development
Affiliate membership: $200.00 per calendar year
Agency Membership
Agency Membership is for organisations who employ or engage financial counsellors and share a mutual interest in the work undertaken by the FCVic. Employer agencies, community legal services and academic institutions are eligible for agency membership.
Each Agency member may appoint an Agency Representative. The Agency Representative must be a manager who has one or more financial counsellors reporting to them. The representative will be included in the email distribution list for Agency Members and receive access to member-only content through the FCVic website.
- Be a Non-Profit Organisation
- Employ or engage financial counsellors
- Satisfy the criteria for the ASIC credit licensing relief for financial counselling agencies
- Agree to support the Continuous Professional Development and Professional Supervision requirements prescribed by the Board
Agency membership: $99.00 per calendar year
What does membership cover?
Individual members:
- Representation by FCVic, the sector’s peak body in Victoria
- Participation in continuous professional development to extend and expand your skills and knowledge
- Access to member-only content and resources, through newsletters and in our Members’ Portal
- Networking opportunities through FCVic’s member networks and working groups
- Member-rates to attend the FCVic Annual Conference event
Agency members:
- Access to the financial counsellor locum directory
- Free advertising for position vacancies on the FCVic website and in member newsletters
- Member-rate for FCVic conference registration for the Agency Representative
- Access to the FCA Toolkit and Agency Managers’ discussion forum
Application process
- Review the eligibility criteria for the membership categories shown above
- Select the category you most appropriate for your situation
- Click the link to submit your application online
All applications for individual membership must be approved by the FCVic Board. The Board meets on a monthly basis, and will review any applications received since the previous meeting.
You will be notified of the outcome of the Board’s decision within the week of the meeting. If you have already paid your membership fees, your membership will be activated immediately following approval by the Board.
In some cases, applicants may be asked to provide additional information about their circumstances before a decision can be reached.
Membership compliance
FCVic membership is dependent on compliance with the FCVic Constitution, the Financial Counselling National Standards for Membership & Accreditation, and all relevant FCVic policies. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and Professional Supervision pave the way for best practice service delivery and provide opportunities for members to continually improve and broaden their skills and knowledge.