Financial Counselling Victoria strongly supports the development of a National Prevention Investment Framework and advocates for financial counselling as a high-value, evidence-based prevention service. The submission highlights the escalating cost-of-living crisis and the growing demand for financial counselling, citing a 179% increase in calls to the National Debt Helpline in Victoria. FCVic presents financial counselling as a cost-effective intervention that delivers significant economic and social returns, and urges the Commission to engage with upcoming research funded by Consumer Affairs Victoria. The submission calls for financial counselling to be embedded in prevention planning and for governance structures that ensure transparent return-on-investment assessments.

This submission to the Fair Work Commission’s Gender-Based Undervaluation – Priority Awards Review outlines the financial counselling sector’s urgent concerns regarding proposed changes to the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS Award). Representing financial counselling peak bodies across Australia, the submission argues that the Commission’s provisional classification framework, particularly the use of the Caring Skills Benchmark, fundamentally misrepresents the professional, technical, and regulatory nature of financial counselling work.

Drawing on data, sector analysis, and the voices of 344 financial counsellors, the submission warns that the proposed changes could result in drastic pay cuts for nearly all financial counsellors, threatening workforce sustainability and undermining access to free, independent support for over 200,000 vulnerable Australians each year. It calls for the Commission to reject the Caring Skills Benchmark, retain current SCHADS pay levels, and adopt a revised classification model that reflects the sector’s unique expertise, mandatory professional development, and critical role in addressing financial hardship and systemic disadvantage.

This joint submission is made on behalf of FCVic, Financial Counselling Australia (FCA), Financial Counselling Queensland (FCQ), Financial Counsellors’ Association of NSW (FCAN), Financial Counsellors’ Association of Western Australia (FCAWA), Financial Counsellors Australian Capital Territory (FC-ACT), and the South Australian Financial Counsellors Association (SAFCA, including the Northern Territory).

This submission calls for urgent reforms to the Owners Corporation Act to protect Lot Owners experiencing financial hardship. It highlights systemic issues including aggressive debt recovery practices, lack of access to dispute resolution, and inflated fees driven by conflicted service contracts. The submission recommends introducing a legislated right to hardship assistance, banning legal action during hardship negotiations, improving manager conduct, and establishing a dedicated regulator. Drawing on extensive casework and data, the submission argues that current practices are contributing to housing insecurity and calls for reforms aligned with recent changes in New South Wales.

This submission is jointly authored by Financial Counselling Australia, Financial Counselling Victoria, and Mortgage Stress Victoria, with thanks to Consumer Action Law Centre for the use of data and case studies.

FCVic has made a submission to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) in response to its consultation on the Draft Approach to General Insurance Claims Handling. Drawing on insights from financial counsellors—particularly those supporting communities affected by natural disasters—the submission calls for clearer standards, stronger consumer protections, and trauma-informed practices in insurance claims handling.

FCVic’s submission highlights key areas for reform, including the need for transparent cash settlement processes, fair treatment of vulnerable complainants, and improved access to independent expert assessments. It also recommends clearer expectations around insurer conduct, especially in relation to delays, subcontractor accountability, and the handling of temporary accommodation costs. The submission urges AFCA to embed principles of fairness, equity, and consumer empowerment in its final Approach, ensuring that people experiencing hardship are not further disadvantaged by opaque or inconsistent claims processes.

Financial Counselling Victoria has supported a joint sector submission led by Financial Counselling Australia to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) in response to its draft Vulnerability Framework, aimed at improving support for people experiencing hardship. The sector welcomed the ATO’s efforts and emphasised the need for a principles-based framework, with trauma-informed practices, and stronger collaboration with the financial counselling sector.

Financial Counselling Victoria has made a supplementary submission to the joint sector submission, focusing on key opportunities for operational reform which have long been pain-points for financial counsellors – specifically on the proof of record ownership process.