Media Releases

Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has welcomed an ASIC report calling on Australia’s insurers to improve their complaints handling processes.   “We are disappointed but not surprised. The findings from ASIC’s review of insurance complaints handling mirrors the experience of many financial counsellors supporting their clients through the claims process,” said Vicki Staff,…

Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) welcomes the introduction of the Strata Schemes Amendment Bill 2024 to NSW State Parliament today. We see it as a positive step forward in addressing financial hardship faced by strata property owners. However, the Bill does not go far enough to safeguard homeowners from unnecessary legal action and…

Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has welcomed the Federal Government announcement of the next round of grants for Financial Wellbeing and Capability programs.    Applications are now open for the following grant programs:  Emergency Relief  Food Relief (and Material Aid)  Commonwealth Financial Counselling and Financial Capability  Financial Counselling for Gambling  Financial Wellbeing…

Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has welcomed the release of a Parliamentary report into Insurer’s responses to the 2022 Major Floods.  “The good news is, if these recommendations are adopted and enforced, consumers will be treated better and more likely to receive fairer outcomes from their insurers after weather disasters,” said…

Mandatory code of practice, subsidies for food transportation and increased income support needed. A coalition of consumer and indigenous groups is calling on the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) to better protect vulnerable residents in remote areas. The organisations have welcomed the proposed National Strategy for Food Security in Remote…

Financial Counselling Australia welcomes the sanctioning of Westpac for breaching the Banking Code of Practice when it closed its branch in Tennant Creek. The branch was suddenly shut in September 2022 leaving some customers with no access to money. “It was a complete mess and done with no consultation. Some…

Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has welcomed Federal Government budget measures which will mean the sector is better equipped to help people in financial hardship. While FCA is still to receive the detailed breakdown, the Government has announced several measures directly impacting the sector including: $4.7 million over three years from…

More Australians will now have access to support from financial counsellors with the launch of the Financial Counselling Industry Fund (FCIF). The FCIF is the result of a collaboration between the financial counselling sector and a number of industries and companies - Australian Banking Association member banks, Australian Energy Council,…

Australians struggling with debt and cost-of-living pressures are turning to free and independent debt helplines in their thousands. Calls and chats to the National Debt Helpline (NDH) and the Small Business Debt Helpline (SBDH) have soared over the past 12 months. Both services are coordinated by Financial Counselling Australia. “In…