Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) welcomes the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) new Vulnerability Framework as an important first step towards fairer treatment of people in financial difficulty but says the real test will be how it’s implemented. “The ATO’s Vulnerability Framework is an important step towards a fairer and more compassionate tax system.…
A new set of nationally endorsed Principles of Good Hardship Practice has been released, setting a best-practice guide for how organisations should support people experiencing financial difficulty. Developed by the financial counselling sector, the ten core principles focus on respectful communication, early intervention, and fair, compassionate support for people in…
These ten principles set out, what we believe is, best practise in the provision of hardship - clear communication, early help, and respectful, realistic solutions. They’re grounded in real-world experience and shaped through extensive consultation with banks, telcos, utilities, debt collectors, and people with lived experience. This work follows the…
Financial counsellors welcome today’s landmark decision by the Federal Court, which has endorsed a record $100 million penalty against Optus for unconscionable conduct. Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) says it sends a strong message to all telecommunications providers that mis-selling to vulnerable customers will no longer be tolerated. For some time, financial counsellors have been…
Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) welcomes the announcement that ANZ has admitted to widespread misconduct and has agreed to pay $240 million in penalties. ANZ has admitted to unconscionable conduct, overstating bond trading data by tens of billions, and widespread misconduct affecting nearly 65,000 customers. The matters will now be considered…
More than 168,000 people reached out for support via the National Debt Helpline (NDH) during the 2024-25 financial year, making it the free service’s biggest year since 2018-19. Coordinator of the NDH Vicki Staff said it shows just how hard cost-of-living pressures are hitting Australians. “Many of life’s essentials are…
The Board of Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has announced co-CEO, Peter Gartlan, is stepping down effective from 30th September 2025. Peter has worked at FCA since 2020 and became co-CEO in February 2024. “We thank Peter for his leadership, dedication, and the impact he has had on our organisation throughout his…
Consumer advocates have welcomed a commitment from Australian banks to refund more than $93 million to low-income customers after charging excessive fees, but significant gaps in support remain, with one of the big four falling short. ASIC’s second bank-fee report, released today, details banks’ responses to excessive fees charged on…
Consumer advocates have condemned repeated failings by insurance companies after the General Insurance Code Governance Committee (CGC) imposed sanctions on AIG Australia Limited (AIGAL) for serious breaches of the General Insurance Code of Practice. This is the third financial sanction in 12 months imposed by the CGC on an insurer.…
Financial Counselling Australia welcomes the $100 million record penalty against Optus for unconscionable conduct. The penalty sends a strong message to the telecommunications industry: mis-selling to vulnerable customers will not be tolerated. For some time, financial counsellors have been raising the alarm about the harm caused by Optus’ mis-selling products…