Financial Counselling Australia launches new Reconciliation Action Plan

Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has launched its new Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for 2026 to 2028, reaffirming its commitment to advancing reconciliation and improving financial outcomes for First Nations peoples. 

The RAP was officially launched at the FCA national conference in Cairns last week. It sets out a clear pathway for strengthening relationships, building cultural understanding, and creating opportunities across the financial counselling sector. 

FCA CEO Dr Domenique Meyrick said the RAP represents a deepened commitment to embedding reconciliation into every aspect of the organisation’s work. 

“This Reconciliation Action Plan is more than a plan, it’s a public expression of our deep commitment to reconciliation and a reflection of the values that underpin everything we do,” Dr Meyrick said. 

The RAP focuses on elevating First Nations voices, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring the sector supports culturally informed and community-led solutions to financial hardship. 

Director of First Nations Policy Lynda Edwards said the new RAP marks an important step forward for both FCA and the broader sector. 

“This RAP represents our commitment to walking alongside First Nations peoples and communities, ensuring their voices shape the systems that impact their financial wellbeing,” Ms Edwards said. 

“It will drive a more culturally safe, responsive and accountable financial counselling sector by embedding First Nations knowledge, leadership and lived experience into policy, advocacy and service delivery.” 

Ms Edwards said the plan will strengthen the capability of the sector to address systemic disadvantage and improve financial inclusion. 

“Going forward, this RAP will help us build a stronger national network of First Nations financial counsellors and capability workers, and ensure their expertise leads meaningful change across financial services in Australia.” 

The Innovate RAP builds on FCA’s long-standing focus on financial inclusion, stopping exploitation through predatory lending and addressing systemic barriers faced by First Nations peoples, while supporting a growing and diverse workforce across the sector. 

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