Financial Counselling Victoria has made a submission in support of AUSTRAC’s proposed Rule 5-17, which would enable the use of alternative identification documents for vulnerable individuals, particularly those exiting correctional facilities. Based on the experience of financial counsellors working within the prison system, FCVic strongly endorses this practical reform to reduce barriers to reintegration and financial inclusion.

To ensure successful implementation, FCVic recommends embedding anti-discrimination training into compliance obligations, introducing independent audits to monitor fair application, and increasing public awareness—particularly through partnerships with Corrections and reintegration services. The submission also supports extending the rule’s applicability to sectors beyond traditional financial services, recognising that access to housing, legal, and professional support is essential for a stable and dignified re-entry into society.

Financial Counselling Victoria has made a submission to the Essential Services Commission (ESC) in response to its Regulatory Impact Statement on proposed energy consumer reforms. Informed by frontline experiences, FCVic supports reforms that prioritise fairness, accessibility, and proactive support for people in financial hardship—particularly through automatic best offer switching, improved concession access, fair pricing for legacy contracts, and clear consumer communications.

The submission also highlights the importance of culturally safe support for First Nations consumers and opposes the use of punitive disconnection threats as a default engagement tool. FCVic calls for principles-based regulation, greater enforcement, and a commitment to equity and fairness in essential service provision—particularly for those most at risk of falling through the cracks.

Financial Counselling Victoria (FCVic) has made a submission to the Fair Work Commission’s review of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry (SCHADS) Award, raising serious concerns about the gender-based undervaluation of financial counselling work. FCVic argues that the proposed reclassification structure fails to recognise the specialist expertise, complexity, and professional obligations of financial counsellors, and could result in significant pay cuts—up to $27,000 per annum for some roles.

The submission warns that enforcing this structure would harm workforce sustainability and exacerbate gender inequality in a sector where over 70% of workers are women. FCVic calls for a delay to the proposed implementation, urging the Commission to co-design a more suitable classification model that maintains pay equity and supports workforce growth.

Financial Counselling Victoria (FCVic) has provided a formal submission in response to Melbourne Water’s Draft Price Submission 2026, drawing on insights from financial counsellors who support clients experiencing payment difficulty. The submission raises significant concerns about affordability, transparency, and the equity of proposed price increases—particularly during a cost-of-living crisis. FCVic argues that even small increases to essential services like water can disproportionately impact low-income households and calls for stronger justification of price rises above inflation.

The submission recommends key reforms, including greater transparency around infrastructure investment, a fully funded water efficiency retrofit program targeting low-income housing, and strengthened protections for customers in hardship. FCVic also urges the inclusion of consumer advocates and financial counsellors in ongoing consultations, to ensure vulnerable communities are not left behind.

FCVic, with input from financial counsellors and the FCVic Insurance Working Group, led a joint submission to the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice Review. The submission highlights systemic issues identified through disaster recovery casework and offers 15 practical recommendations to strengthen broker accountability, improve transparency, and better support vulnerable clients. It calls for stronger obligations on brokers to act in clients’ best interests, provide written advice, respond to claims within defined timeframes, and respect the authority of third-party advocates such as financial counsellors.

The submission was developed in collaboration with the Financial Counsellors’ Association of Western Australia (FCAWA).