CPD Library
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Understanding AFCA’s Approaches to Family violence and Financial abuse of older people
- 2 hrs
- 1 CPD points
- Technical, Skills
AFCA has released two important new Approach documents focused on Family violence and Financial abuse of older people. These updates have significant implications for how financial counsellors, community lawyers, and other advocates identify issues, support clients, and engage with financial firms during disputes.
To support your practice, this specialised training session delivered by AFCA Senior Ombudsman Matthew Martin, and Ombudsman Chris Siemers, walks you through the key changes and themes in these new documents.
Upon completion of this session participants will be able to:
- Understand AFCA’s updated Approach to family violence, including key principles, definitions, and decision-making considerations.
- Understand AFCA’s new Approach to financial abuse of older people, and how vulnerability and capacity are assessed within this framework.
- Identify indicators of family violence and financial abuse of older people in client matters that may be relevant to AFCA disputes.
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.
- Published:
- Resource Type: CPD, Learning Materials, Session Recording
- Topics: Family Violence
Navigating cash settlements after disasters
- 2 hrs
- 1 CPD points
- Technical
After severe weather events like fires, floods or storms, insurers may offer a lump‑sum cash payment instead of organising and paying for repairs. This is called a cash settlement, and in most situations, the insurer decides whether to offer it. Cash settlements can be common after disasters due to delays, workforce shortages and difficulties sourcing materials. While they can give people faster access to funds and more control over their repairs, a key risk is that the amount offered may not cover the full cost of fixing or rebuilding the home. This session will help you understand the options and rights available.
Upon completion of this session participants will be able to:
- Understand what a cash settlement is and when it may be offered.
- Identify the risks and benefits of accepting a cash settlement.
- Understand insured people’s rights in the claims process.
- Know what support is available for you and the people you work with.
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.
- Published:
- Resource Type: CPD, Learning Materials, Session Recording
- Topics: Disaster Recovery
Intermediate Social Security Law Workshop
- 2.30 hrs
- 1 CPD points
- Technical
This session focuses on Centrelink overpayments and rights of review, facilitated through case study analysis and practical group work. It is designed to provide participants with the practical skills and tools necessary to assist clients who have had debts raised against them due to misreporting of income and assets, receipt of compensation, and change in circumstances such as percentage of care of children.
The session provides strategies for financial counsellors helping clients to respond to Centrelink debts, including how to assess initial merit of seeking a changed decision through internal or external review.
The session will also cover recent amendments to social security law such as the changes to debt waiver provisions, as well as updates on the compensation scheme for income apportionment, and the second Robodebt Class Action settlement.
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.
- Published:
- Resource Type: CPD, Learning Materials, Session Recording
- Topics: Social Security and Centrelink
Understanding Financial Trauma: The Hidden Wound Behind Money Distress
- 2-3 hrs
- 1 CPD points
- Technical, Skills
Financial Counsellors were on the front line of money distress — from clients navigating poverty, debt, redundancy, and family breakdown, to those living with the long shadow of financial trauma.
In this session, Financial Therapist and researcher Jane Monica-Jones explored how trauma not only shaped our emotional and behavioural relationship with money, but also our financial capacity, decision-making, and sense of safety.
Participants unpacked the distinction between financial trauma — trauma originating from financial events — and the impact of trauma on finances — the way non-financial trauma influenced financial behaviours. Through case studies and discussion, examples were explored including intergenerational poverty, financial coercion and abuse, catastrophic financial loss, and systemic exclusion.
The session offered practical frameworks for recognising trauma-affected financial behaviours and introduced trauma-informed recovery strategies that supported safety, dignity, and financial stability. It was an essential conversation for counsellors seeking to respond with greater empathy, capacity awareness, and ethical sensitivity.
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.
- Published:
- Resource Type: CPD, Learning Materials, Session Recording
- Topics: Casework Skills
Understanding compensation for victim survivors of sexual violence: A guide for financial counsellors
- 2-3 hrs
- 1 CPD points
- Technical, Skills
Sexual Assault Services Victoria (SASVic) led the Civil Justice and Recovery Project, which aimed to empower victim survivors of sexual violence to maximise the benefits of compensation. Financial counsellors played a key role in supporting victim survivors who were contemplating or receiving compensation payments for sexual assault. During this session participants learned how financial counsellors could support victim survivors to maximise the benefits of compensation, protect existing benefits, and access financial advice.
- Published:
- Resource Type: CPD, Learning Materials, Session Recording
- Topics: Family Law
TPD, Centrelink and Financial Planning Advice – Deep Dive for Financial Counsellors
- 2 hrs
- 1 CPD points
- Technical
This 2-hour online session built on the previous workshop on Financial Planning Advice and Centrelink, offering a deeper exploration of Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claims, Centrelink implications, and how lump-sum payments interacted with income support. Andrew Reynolds from EFS Advice unpacked the complexities of Centrelink rules, TPD processes, and when referral to a licensed financial planner was appropriate.
Through case studies and practical examples, participants strengthened their understanding of how TPD payouts, superannuation access, and Centrelink assessments intersected, and how to support clients navigating significant life changes, disability, and lump-sum decision-making.
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.
- Published:
- Resource Type: CPD, Learning Materials, Session Recording
- Topics: Casework Skills
Under the Hood: Tackling Car Finance Issues in Financial Counselling
- 3 hrs
- 1 CPD points
- Technical, Skills
The session explored common issues related to car loans, using real-life case studies and insights from Consumer Action’s extensive frontline experience. Through engaging discussions and input from expert speakers, participants gained valuable tools and strategies to better support clients navigating car-related debt and disputes.
- Published:
- Resource Type: CPD, Learning Materials, Session Recording
- Topics: Credit Law
Understanding Visas, Residency and Centrelink Access for Clients
- 2 hrs
- 1 CPD points
- Technical, Skills
The Understanding Visas, Residency and Centrelink Access for Clients sessions was delivered by experts from SSRV and ASRC, helped financial counsellors build confidence in supporting clients whose visa or residency status affected their access to Centrelink payments. Participants learned how to identify a client’s visa type, understood how visa and residency rules interacted with Centrelink eligibility, and applied key exceptions to waiting period requirements. The session also covered steps for appealing Centrelink decisions and explored referral pathways for clients who were ineligible for payments.
- Published:
- Resource Type: CPD, Learning Materials, Session Recording
- Topics: Social Security and Centrelink
Debt, Directors and Dilemmas: An Insolvency Deep Dive for FCs
- 2-3 hrs
- 1 CPD points
- Technical, Skills
This Small Business in-depth session has provided a refresher on company insolvency for small business financial counsellors. The presenters have covered the various pathways to insolvency and included updates on changes to the insolvency regime, including Small Business Restructuring in the post-Covid era.
It also addressed key issues of concern faced by SBFCs when assisting small business company owners/directors, such as when company debts became personal debts; director liability when directorship resulted from coercion or economic abuse; how best to assist small business owners when they couldn’t afford liquidation; and a guide to closing down a business.
- Published:
- Resource Type: CPD, Learning Materials, Session Recording
- Topics: Small Business
Ethical practice and dilemmas in casework
- 2-2.5 hrs
- 1 CPD points
- Ethics
In this session we looked at ethical dilemmas that financial counsellors face in their roles. We analysed what is required of us by our code of ethics and how to apply ethical principles in real life scenarios.
- Published:
- Resource Type: CPD, Learning Materials, Session Recording
- Topics: Ethics