As the peak body for financial counsellors in Victoria, FCRC has had considerable feedback from its members raising concerns about how councils respond to vulnerable people in the community experiencing hardship resulting from rate charges and rate arrears. These issues are essential to address if Victoria’s rating system is to be fair and equitable for everyone in the community.

In its submission to the Rating System Review, FCRC has recommended that the State Government, in consultation with peak bodies and consumer organisations develop and introduce mandated hardship and related processes for Councils to adopt and implement.