Financial Counselling Victoria (FCVic) last week brought together financial counsellors, community organisations and decision-makers for our Small Sector, Big Impact showcase at Queens Hall, Parliament House. The week-long event highlighted the vital role financial counsellors play in supporting Victorians experiencing financial hardship and created valuable opportunities for direct engagement with Members of Parliament in the lead-up to the 2026 Victorian State Election.
For a full Parliamentary sitting week, Queens Hall was transformed into a vibrant showcase of the financial counselling sector. Around 20 financial counselling agencies from across Victoria participated, staffing exhibition booths, sharing client stories and demonstrating the breadth and impact of their work in communities across the state.
The event provided a unique opportunity for parliamentarians, ministerial advisers and policy makers to meet directly with frontline services and learn more about the challenges facing Victorians experiencing financial hardship. Throughout the week, agencies shared examples of how financial counsellors help people navigate debt, housing insecurity, family violence, gambling harm, energy hardship, disaster recovery, small business financial stress and many other complex issues that affect individuals, families and communities.
Agencies generously shared case studies, which we have compiled here for everyone to access and read about the excellent client outcomes achieved by financial counsellors.
Importantly, the showcase was not just about highlighting challenges. It was also an opportunity to demonstrate solutions.
Financial counsellors work every day to help people regain financial stability, exercise their rights, avoid homelessness, improve health and wellbeing outcomes, and rebuild their futures. The event highlighted the significant social and economic value delivered by financial counselling and the importance of ensuring these services remain accessible to Victorians who need them most.
One of the highlights of the week was the engagement with elected representatives and their staff. FCVic and participating agencies were able to speak directly with MPs and advisers from across the political spectrum, discussing both local community issues and broader sector priorities. As part of the event, many parliamentarians added their signatures to a “pledge wall” recognising the importance of financial counselling services and committing to support the sector into the future.
The week also provided an opportunity to engage with the Hon. Tim Richardson MP, Victoria’s new Minister for Consumer Affairs, who spent significant time visiting the exhibition and speaking directly with participating agencies about their work and the issues affecting Victorians experiencing financial hardship.
Feedback from participating agencies highlighted the value of being able to engage directly with decision-makers and to build stronger understanding of the sector’s work within Parliament. Agencies particularly appreciated the opportunity to connect with colleagues from across Victoria, share experiences and contribute collectively to a stronger voice for people experiencing financial hardship. Participants also noted that the event helped build understanding of the advocacy process and strengthened relationships across the sector.
Launching FCVic's State Budget Submission and Open Letter
A key milestone during the week was the launch of FCVic’s 2027-28 State Budget Submission and accompanying Open Letter.
The State Budget Submission calls for a four-year investment of $224 million to strengthen Victoria’s financial counselling system, expand service capacity, grow the workforce and enable an additional 119,000 Victorians to access support before financial difficulties escalate into crisis.
Alongside the submission, FCVic launched an Open Letter supported by community organisations across Victoria. The Open Letter highlights the essential role financial counselling plays as an early intervention service across housing, health, family violence, justice and community services, and calls for sustained investment to meet growing community demand.
The launch event reinforced the strong partnerships that underpin the financial counselling sector. Together, financial counsellors and community organisations are sending a clear message: timely access to financial counselling changes lives and delivers long-term benefits for individuals, communities and government alike.
Thank You to Our Partners
Events such as our Small Sector, Big Impact showcase are only possible because of the generosity, commitment and collaboration of many organisations and individuals.
FCVic extends its sincere thanks to all participating financial counselling agencies that contributed staff time, case studies, displays and materials throughout the week. Your passion, professionalism and commitment to your communities brought the showcase to life and ensured that the voices and experiences of Victorians experiencing financial hardship were heard within Parliament.
We also thank the many community organisations that supported the launch of the Open Letter and continue to partner with the financial counselling sector to improve outcomes for Victorians.
Finally, we thank the Members of Parliament, ministerial advisers and parliamentary staff who took the time to visit the showcase, meet with agencies and engage thoughtfully with the issues being raised. Meaningful policy change begins with genuine conversation, and we greatly valued the opportunity to share insights from the frontline with decision-makers.
Looking Ahead
As Victoria moves closer to the State Election, the conversations that began at Queens Hall will continue.
The financial counselling sector has a powerful story to tell. Every day, financial counsellors help people facing some of the most difficult circumstances of their lives. They support families to keep a roof over their heads, assist people navigating complex debt problems, advocate for fair treatment from creditors and service providers, and help individuals regain control of their financial futures.
The Small Sector, Big Impact showcase demonstrated that while the sector may be relatively small, its contribution to Victorian communities is enormous.
FCVic looks forward to building on the relationships strengthened during the week and continuing discussions with all parliamentarians and electoral candidates to ensure that access to financial counselling remains a priority for Victoria’s future. Together, we can create a stronger, fairer and more financially secure future for all Victorians.
Photo Gallery
