CPD Library

Browse our library of CPD resources.

Can't find what you're looking for?
Events Calendar
FCA Toolkit
Request a Training Topic
Submit a Case Study
Manage My CPD & Supervision

Search

Keywords

Topics

CPD type

Search

Keywords

Topics

CPD type

Working with ATO debts

  • 2.5 hrs
  • 1 CPD points
  • Technical, Skills
Read about this CPD

This session features a presentation by the Australian Taxation Office and the Tax Ombudsman office. It provides financial counsellors with practical guidance on supporting clients with ATO debts. It focuses on building confidence in engaging with the ATO, understanding available options for debt recovery and repayment, and navigating key processes such as General Interest Charge (GIC) remission.

Participants will gain up-to-date insights into ATO processes, including an overview of specialist teams such as the GIC Remittance Team and Vulnerability Framework. The session also explores how to effectively communicate with the ATO and what information is required to advocate for clients and when to raise issues with the Tax Ombudsman.

Upon completion of this session participants will be able to:

1. Have informed and challenging client conversations around ATO debts

2. Describe the ATO Vulnerability Framework and how it applies to clients experiencing hardship or complex circumstances

3. Identify when and how to request GIC remission, including understanding the role of the GIC Remittance Team.

4. Prepare for effective communication with the ATO, including identifying and gathering relevant client information.

5. Apply practical strategies to advocate for clients with ATO debt

Disclaimer

The content and materials within this course are intended for the purpose of learning and development of individual FCVic members and are not for further use and distribution without specific prior consent from FCVic.

Access CPD

Navigating online and venue gambling complaints e-Learning

  • 2 hrs
  • 2 CPD points
  • Technical, Skills
Read about this CPD

This e-learning course features short recordings that explore complaints processes relating to gambling venues and online gambling.

Gambling Venues

This module introduces the role of the VGCCC, the Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct that applies to gambling venues, and how to recognise signs of gambling harm behaviours within these environments.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct applicable to gambling venues

• Identify signs of gambling harm behaviours

Online gambling

This module explores the process of raising a complaint with online gambling providers and the regulatory frameworks that may assist when advocating for a client.

Learning outcomes:

• An understanding of the types of documents to request from online gambling providers

• How to analyse information contained in the documents

• An understanding of key legislation and regulatory guidance you can reference when raising a complaint.

 

Disclaimer

The content and materials within this course are intended for the purpose of learning and development of individual FCVic members and are not for further use and distribution without specific prior consent from FCVic.

Access CPD

Applied Credit and Consumer Law e-Learning

  • 1.5 hrs
  • 2 CPD points
  • Technical, Skills
Read about this CPD

Welcome to FCVic and CALC’s Applied Credit and Consumer Law e-learning

This module is designed to build on the knowledge you developed through the Diploma of Financial Counselling and support you to apply that learning in practice.

This eLearning will take you approximately 60 minutes to complete.

In this module, you will explore three key topic areas:

  1. Credit Law
  2. Consumer Law
  3. Debt Enforcement
Access CPD

Empowering your clients: Practical Skills from NDH Financial Counsellors

  • 2 hrs
  • 1 CPD points
  • Skills
Read about this CPD

At the National Debt Helpline, most client support is delivered through guidance rather than on-going casework, helping clients build confidence to self-advocate. This interactive workshop will equip you with practical tools and techniques to empower clients during phone conversations.

Through real case studies and a comprehensive toolbox of strategies, you will learn how to structure conversations, identify key issues, and provide actionable advice that strengthens client independence.

Upon completion of this session you will be able to:

  • Apply effective phone communication techniques tailored from NDH practice
  • Use practical tools to guide and empower clients toward self-advocacy .
  • Analyse NDH casework to identify opportunities for improved client outcomes

Disclaimer
The content and materials within this course are intended for the purpose of learning and development of individual FCVic members and are not for further use and distribution without specific prior consent from FCVic.

Access CPD

Local Government Hardship

  • 2 hrs
  • 1 CPD points
  • Technical, Skills
Read about this CPD

This training session explores how financial counsellors can effectively support clients experiencing hardship with local government debts with a focus on the recently developed local government hardship guidelines and how financial counsellors can use them to support clients experiencing council-related debt.

The guidelines provide a framework that can be used to advocate for clients with council debts. The session examines the intent and limitations of the guidelines, discuss how they can be applied in practice, and explore strategies for working constructively with councils when supporting clients in hardship.

You will gain an overview of common local government hardship policies, how these interact with financial counselling practice, and practical strategies for negotiating payment arrangements or relief.

The session also examines typical barriers clients face when dealing with councils and how financial counsellors can advocate effectively on their behalf. Case examples and discussion will help participants build confidence in supporting clients with local government debts.

Upon completion of this session you will be able to:

  • Integrate knowledge of local government hardship options into financial counselling casework.
  • Recognise the limitations of the guidelines from a financial counselling perspective and consider strategies to work within these constraints.
  • Recognise common challenges clients face when dealing with council debts and develop approaches to support positive outcomes.
  • Apply practical strategies to advocate for clients and negotiate hardship arrangements with local government bodies.

Disclaimer
The content and materials within this course are intended for the purpose of learning and development of individual FCVic members and are not for further use and distribution without specific prior consent from FCVic.

Access CPD

Aged Care: Navigating a complex and changing landscape

  • 2.5 hrs
  • 1 CPD points
  • Technical, Skills
Read about this CPD

This session provides a practical insight into the changing aged care landscape under the new Aged Care Act 2024. With more older people entering Support at Home programs and facing complex financial decisions, financial counsellors increasingly play a vital role in supporting clients to navigate fees, assessments, waiting periods, income testing, and affordability challenges—particularly for those already experiencing financial hardship.

This session links the new legislative framework with real-world casework issues. It explores the financial dynamics of both the community-based aged care system and residential aged care, highlighting the barriers created by cost-of-living pressures, debt, and the regulatory shift that now governs both systems under the same act. Participants will gain the knowledge and confidence needed to support older clients and their families as they transition into aged care services.

Upon completion of this session participants will be able to:

  • Explain the key financial and regulatory changes introduced by the Aged Care Act 2024, including how these changes impact older consumers entering Support at Home programs and residential aged care.
  • Identify common financial barriers faced by older people with existing financial difficulty, and understand how legislation and cost-of-living pressures shape these challenges.
  • Support clients in understanding aged care fees, means-testing processes, and service navigation, including potential affordability issues and debt-related risks.
    Recognise situations involving financial vulnerability, elder abuse, or undue influence, and apply appropriate financial counselling strategies and referral pathways.

Disclaimer
The content and materials within this course are intended for the purpose of learning and development of individual FCVic members and are not for further use and distribution without specific prior consent from FCVic.

Access CPD

Navigating Debt Collection

  • 3 hrs
  • 1 CPD points
  • Technical, Skills
Read about this CPD

Do your clients often report being harassed by persistent debt collectors? Presented by Consumer Action Law Centre, this training session takes a deep dive into debt collection practices. Using a real case study based on CALC’s experience, this session provides practical strategies to help you better support your clients.

Upon completion of this session participants will be able to:

  • Identify and apply debt collection guidelines
  • Design strategies for making complaints and getting compensation for bad behaviours by debt collectors

The content and materials within this course are intended for the purpose of learning and development of individual FCVic members and are not for further use and distribution without specific prior consent from FCVic.

Access CPD

Supporting the specific needs of Rural Financial Counselling Casework

  • 2 hrs
  • 1 CPD points
  • Technical, Skills, Ethics
Read about this CPD

Rural financial counsellors often work in complex environments, travelling long distances, meeting clients in their homes, and navigating a unique mix of financial stress, isolation, and family dynamics.

This online session explores the distinct considerations involved in rural casework, including ethical decision-making, managing welfare and safety risks, and maintaining practitioner wellbeing while working in clients’ homes or remote properties. Through reflective discussion and shared experience, participants will strengthen their confidence and capability in delivering safe, ethical, and effective support to rural clients.

Upon completion of this session participants will be able to:

  • Identify the unique ethical considerations that arise in rural home-based financial counselling.
  • Consider potential welfare, environmental, and situational risks associated with visiting clients in rural or remote settings.
  • Manage your response to complex interpersonal relationships including indicators of family violence and other safety concerns.

Disclaimer
The content and materials within this course are intended for the purpose of learning and development of individual FCVic members and are not for further use and distribution without specific prior consent from FCVic.

Access CPD

From Complaints to Change: Systemic Advocacy Strategies for Financial Counsellors

  • 3 hrs
  • 1 CPD points
  • Technical, Skills
Read about this CPD

Engaging with regulators is a critical part of advocating for clients and driving systemic change. This session offers a practical guide to the regulators most relevant to Financial Counselling practice. You’ll discover when and why to escalate issues, how to lodge effective complaints, and what outcomes to anticipate. This session examines how strategic use of regulator complaints can influence broader reforms and strengthen everyday advocacy.

Upon completion of this session participants will be able to:

  • Identify which regulators are most effective for client advocacy across various practice areas
  • Develop and apply strategies for making impactful complaints to the regulators covered
  • Integrate regulator engagement into routine practice to support systemic reform

Disclaimer
The content and materials within this course are intended for the purpose of learning and development of individual FCVic members and are not for further use and distribution without specific prior consent from FCVic.

Access CPD

Understanding Energy Consumer Reforms: What you need to know

  • 2.5 hrs
  • 1 CPD points
  • Technical, Skills
Read about this CPD

With rising living costs, many callers to the National Debt Helpline report sacrificing essential expenses just to keep up with electricity and gas bills. Upcoming energy reforms aim to address long-standing issues and ensure Victorians have access to fair and affordable energy prices.

This session will give financial counsellors a clear and practical overview of the energy reforms coming into effect from February 2026 under the Victorian Energy Retail Code of Practice. it will unpack the key changes around access to support, better offers, and contract arrangements. Through interactive tools, discussion, and real-world examples, participants will explore what these reforms mean for client advocacy.

Upon completion of this session participants will be able to:

  • Understand the scope and impact of the new Energy Consumer reforms
  • Apply these protections and strategies to assist clients experiencing payment difficulties with their energy bills.

The content and materials in this course are intended for the purpose of learning and development of individual FCVic members and are not for further use or distribution without specific consent by FCVic.

 

Access CPD
[uael-template id="18442"]

Welcome back

Please enter your login details below.

Not a member? Click here to learn more about FCVic membership.