Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has welcomed the Federal Government’s new measures to reduce gambling harm and expand financial counselling support but warns the reforms do not go far enough to address the scale and drivers of harm. FCA CEO Dr Domenique Meyrick said the package reflects what financial counsellors see every day:…
Financial counsellors have welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of more than two million dollars in funding to support financial wellbeing and financial counselling services in disaster areas. The Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek, has announced $2.24M towards Financial Wellbeing Hubs in the NT, Queensland and WA and financial counselling…
Today’s interest rate rise will add further pressure to Australians already struggling with housing costs and rising living expenses, with financial counsellors warning that more households may be pushed into financial distress. Demand for help is rising. In February there were 15,857 calls and online chats to the National Debt Helpline…
Media release February 11, 2026 Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement that funding for the Small Business Debt Helpline (SBDH) will be extended for a further 12 months, providing vital support for small business owners under increasing financial pressure. FCA CEO, Dr Domenique Meyrick, said the…
Case numbers For the 12 months ended 31 December 2025, the SBDH has provided 6,205 cases of assistance through phone and chat services. This is a 21% increase on the prior year. Since the service began in 2020 it has provided 18,533 cases of assistance to 16,254 unique businesses. …
Demand for the Small Business Debt Helpline (SBDH) continues to rise sharply, highlighting the growing financial and personal strain facing small business owners across Australia. For the 12 months to 31 December 2025, the Helpline provided more than 6,000 cases of assistance, representing a 21% increase on the previous year.…
Financial counsellors expect today’s interest rate rise, coupled with high living costs, to create even more distress for many of their clients struggling financially. “People are really doing it tough and having to make difficult decisions to cover every day living costs and pay their rent or mortgage,” said Dr…
Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has called on the Australian Government to strengthen access to financial counselling services to deal with rising demand, longer wait times and a growing complexity of cases. FCA has lodged a detailed submission seeking $19.85 million per year in targeted and sustainable Commonwealth investment. The increase in…
Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) is warning communities across South East Queensland to be on high alert for so-called “disaster chasers”. Insurers have told FCA there is an increase in reports of disaster chasers in recent months following the November storm. Disaster chasers are often dodgy, opportunistic operators who appear after…