Financial Counselling Services Program (FCSP)

This program allocates funding to not-for-profit organisations for the provision of various financial counselling services in New South Wales, such as:
- Free-of-charge accredited financial counselling/consumer legal casework services.
- Training of persons in financial counselling or community education in personal finance, debt and credit management.
- Central support services for financial counselling services (such as helpline services).

Its objectives are to ensure:
- Consumers receive assistance in relation to credit and debt issues.
- Consumers gain the ability, skills and knowledge to successfully manage their financial affairs.
- The impact of credit over-commitment of consumers in NSW is alleviated.
- Public education on matters relating to the management of personal finances is advanced.

The program currently provides funding to:
- Financial counselling services operating in specific Local Government Areas (LGAs).
- A state-wide Credit and Debt Hotline.
- Financial Counsellors Association of NSW (FCAN).

Approximately $7.02 million per annum is available for the 2015-19 funding period. Funding under the program is fully allocated until 30 June 2019.

Eligible applicants include:
- Non-profit incorporated or registered organisations which seek to provide or conduct a service or project in NSW.
- Financial counselling services.
- Non-profit organisations actively working towards incorporation and wishing to provide or conduct a service or project in NSW.
- Individuals with the appropriate skills, experience and knowledge who wish to provide training for financial counsellors or community education related to the management of personal finances in NSW.

Eligible activities include those that will:
- Support the delivery of a free-of-charge accredited financial counselling service.
- Support consumer legal casework.
- Train people in financial counselling.
- Educate the public of NSW in all matters related to the management of personal finances, debt and credit problems.

Please review the Guidelines for the complete list of eligible activities.

The following are ineligible for funding:
- Commercially operated (for-profit) organisations.
- Organisations or individuals wishing to provide services or conduct services in a State or Territory other than NSW.