FCVic has supported a joint submission led by Financial Counselling Australia to the Fair Work Commission as part of the Gender Undervaluation Priority Awards Review of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award. The submission welcomes the Commission’s recognition of systemic gender-based undervaluation in care and community sector work but raises serious concerns about how proposed classification changes may unintentionally disadvantage new financial counsellors entering the workforce.

With over 70% of financial counsellors being women and the majority currently employed at SCHADS Level 5, the submission highlights the risks of a two-tier workforce emerging—where experienced workers retain existing pay levels while new entrants may be placed on lower pay despite doing the same complex, skilled work. It calls for the Diploma of Financial Counselling to be recognised as the profession’s highest credential and urges the Commission to ensure that reforms safeguard the sustainability and fairness of this essential, predominantly female workforce.