FCVic Conference
Every year we present three days of professional development, information sharing, networking and cross-sector collaboration at the flagship event of the FCVic calendar.
Alternating annually between metro and regional venues, the FCVic Conference brings together over 300 of the state’s financial counsellors and representatives from various industries, government departments and Ombudsman schemes. Engaging keynote speakers, speed dating and a gala awards dinner are just some of the attractions on offer.
FCVic Conference 2026
7-9 October 2026 – Melbourne
Call for abstracts now open!
This year’s theme: ‘In Pursuit’
We’re calling for submissions that explore what it means to be in pursuit — of better outcomes for clients, fairer systems, stronger practice, and more responsive industry. Whether you’re approaching this through a consumer, practice, policy, or industry lens, we want to see the work you’re doing and the insights you have to share.
We especially encourage submissions that connect with FCVic’s 2026 Advocacy Priorities, which focus on:
- Championing the financial counselling sector
- Addressing housing affordability and security
- Tackling cost-of-living pressures
- Advancing responsible lending and compassionate hardship practices
- Supporting the professionalism of the sector
Who Should Apply?
Abstracts are welcome from anyone with a passion for financial counselling and consumer issues — financial counsellors, researchers, policy makers, regulators, community workers, students, and industry professionals alike. If you have best practice insights, research findings, a compelling case study, or critical reflections to share, we want to hear from you.
What’s on Offer?
Successful presenters will be offered a session to the full plenary audience (10-30 minutes), with some abstracts considered for a 90-minute CPD breakout session for financial counsellors.
Ready to Submit?
Review the Abstract Guidelines, prepare your abstract and professional biography, and submit via the link below. Make sure your submission addresses the judging criteria, including how your presentation connects with the conference theme and what participants will take away.
Submissions close at 5.00pm on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.
Key Dates
- Submissions open – Monday, 20 April 2026
- Submissions close – Wednesday, 20 May 2026
- Notification to authors – Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Questions?
Please send any questions to Amanda Chan, Advocacy Manager at: [email protected].
Here are some of the Conference highlights:
- Inspiring, challenging and engaging presentations
- Launch of FCVic’s Victorian Workforce Strategy
- A variety of breakout sessions for in-depth discussions
- Networking opportunities and cross-sector collaboration
- Our Gala Awards Dinner, celebrating the sector
- and much, much more…
Conference registrations are now open!
Join us at Pullman Albert Park, Melbourne, from 7–9 October 2026, as we go In Pursuit of emerging issues, innovative solutions, and improved outcomes for Victorians experiencing financial hardship.
This event provides a unique opportunity to:
- Hear from influential regulators, policymakers, advocates and industry leaders.
- Explore practical solutions to today’s most complex consumer issues.
- Connect with colleagues from across financial counselling, government, community services and industry.
- Build relationships with more than 50 exhibitors and sector partners.
- Celebrate the achievements of our profession at the FCVic Gala Awards Dinner.
Conference registrations are currently closed
We are now working on the program for the next FCVic Conference.
Please check back again soon to see what exciting sessions will be on offer at the upcoming event.
In the meantime, take a look at some of the highlights from our previous conferences below.
FCVic Conference Travel Fund
Applications for the FCVic Conference 2026 Travel Fund are now closed.
For further assistance, please email [email protected].
With the support of our sponsor the Essential Services Commission, FCVic is pleased to announce the FCVic 2026 Conference Travel Fund.
This fund is designed to assist rural and regional financial counsellors to attend our annual conference, to be held 7-9 October 2026 at the Pullman Albert Park in Melbourne.
This fund is reserved for travel and accommodation costs only and does not cover the cost of the conference ticket. Individuals (and their employers) are still required to pay for an FCVic conference ticket. Reimbursement amounts will be calculated by a points-based formula.
Eligibility criteria:
- Must be a current member of Financial Counselling Victoria
- Must be located (either home or office location) further than 100km from metropolitan Melbourne (map provided on the application form linked below).
- Eligible travel costs (receipts must be provided within 4 weeks of the conference, dated within two days of the Conference) include accommodation and transport (plane, bus, train, fuel, taxi, rideshare, parking) costs
What is the process?
- Submit an application through dedicated online form (link above) for FCVic review
- FCVic will confirm if your application has been approved within a week, and how much reimbursement has been allocated to you
- You book your conference ticket and any travel costs
- You send travel costs receipts to FCVic through a dedicated online form within 4 weeks after the conference date.
- FCVic will process reimbursement requests on a fortnightly basis from August 2026.
Application deadline
Applications for the Conference Travel Fund will close at 5.00PM (AEST) on Friday, 28 August 2026.
Any questions?
Please send all questions about this travel fund to [email protected].
We thank the Essential Services Commission again for their generous support of this FCVic Conference Travel Fund.
Photo gallery
Check out some of the highlights from our previous conferences.
(Click the thumbnail to enlarge the image.)
Conference Partners
As a conference partner, we want to place you front and centre, to meet and speak directly with the financial counsellors who represent your customers in financial hardship. Our last conference saw over 350 people attend the event across the three days; forming many new connections and ensuring that this unique opportunity for face-to-face discussions was not wasted.
Our suite of tailored packages offer even more opportunities to build and maintain relationships within a large targeted audience. The conference programme is a constant work in progress, continuing our commitment to ensure cross-sector collaboration and increasing opportunities for networking and stakeholder engagement, whilst building the profile of your organisation.
