Financial Counselling Australia launches Community ID Cards pilot with NAB Foundation funding
Financial Counselling Australia (FCA), with funding from NAB Foundation, has launched an 18-month pilot to issue Community ID Cards. The project will develop a national framework and practical guide to help more First Nations organisations become Community ID Card issuers. Jigalong Aboriginal Corporation in Western Australia will partner in the…
ASIC’s cash settlement review
ASIC review confirms what financial counsellors see every day: cash settlements can short-change disaster survivors. Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) says findings released today by ASIC confirm what financial counsellors have long seen on the ground: cash settlements can leave homeowners recovering from disasters worse off, not better off. An ASIC…
Surge in calls to Small Business Debt Helpline
New end-of-financial-year data from the Small Business Debt Helpline (SBDH) shows a record 7,237 small businesses sought help with managing debts and financial hardship in 2025–26. This is up 22 per cent on the previous year and a more than thirty-fold increase since the service began taking calls in 2020. …
FCA Board announces resignation of CEO, Dr Domenique Meyrick
The Board of Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has accepted the resignation of its CEO, Dr Domenique Meyrick, effective from 18th September 2026. Dr Meyrick has worked at FCA since 2017 and became its CEO in February 2024. After careful consideration, she has decided that now is the right time for a new direction. Throughout her time at the…
Rank the Banks 2026 Report: Big Four lead the pack, but hardship support is still failing many Australians
Financial counsellors have ranked the Big Four banks ahead of other lenders and debt collectors on hardship support in a new report. While financial counsellors described some good hardship practices, the report reveals large parts of the credit industry are failing in proactive outreach, harm prevention, and support for people in vulnerable circumstances. Rank…
FCA welcomes National Anti-Scam Centre taskforce to tackle ‘scambling’
Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has welcomed the launch of a dedicated fusion cell by the National Anti-Scam Centre to target "scambling"- fake online gambling and casino platforms designed to deceive and exploit consumers. The taskforce, announced today by the ACCC, brings together law enforcement, government agencies, regulators, digital platforms, banks, telecommunications providers, frontline community services along…
EOFY NATIONAL DEBT HELPLINE MEDIA RELEASE
Demand for support via the National Debt Helpline hits all time high More than 183,000 people reached out for support via the National Debt Helpline (NDH) during the 2025-26 financial year, making it the free service’s biggest year ever. This represents an increase of 9% on the previous financial year…