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…
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…
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…
Financial Counselling Australia and the Financial Rights Legal Centre are calling on insurers to stop penalising people who cannot afford to pay their insurance premiums annually. It follows the release of a new report which finds some insurers are not telling customers that fortnightly or monthly options cost more overall.…
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…
Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has welcomed landmark system reforms, new investment in gambling harm support, and extension of critical services, while cautioning that many of the measures announced will take time to flow through to people who are struggling right now. FCA chief executive Dr Domenique Meyrick said the budget…
Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) says the latest interest rate rise will intensify financial pressure on households with mortgages who are already struggling, as demand for financial counselling services continues to climb sharply. New data from the National Debt Helpline (NDH) shows a significant increase in people seeking support, with online…
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…