The bushfires that took place earlier this year, impacted several regions across Australia, including many small businesses within these regions. To help support these businesses, Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has established a dedicated Small Business Bushfire Financial Counselling Support Line. Increasingly small business are also seeking assistance to manage the impacts of COVID. FCA is the peak body for financial counsellors in Australia.

The Small Business Bushfire Financial Counselling Support Line is based in Melbourne and has staff in several states. The team are currently working from home, during the COVID pandemic. The support line is staffed by skilled Specialist Small Business Financial Counsellors who provide high quality telephone financial counselling advice, support and information to small business owners experiencing financial hardship or seeking information about assistance packages available to them.

FCA is offering a fixed term contract period, which matches the length of the funding contract with the Government.

The role will involve:

• Understanding the financial situation of the small business, as well as any related personal debt issues, and explaining the options the client may have to address financial difficulty
• Using a trauma-informed counselling style that considers the wellbeing of the client
• Providing appropriate referrals and task assistance
• Collecting client data and maintain file records
• Contributing to the development of resource materials and providing peer support

To be successful in the role, you will meet all of the following criteria:

• Hold a Diploma of Community Services – Financial Counselling
• Knowledge of the legislation and frameworks concerning credit and debt issues affecting people experiencing financial stress
• Proven interpersonal and counselling skills
• Highly developed skills in advocacy and negotiation
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team, and to contribute to program development, implementation and evaluation
• Computer literacy, including database and/or file management software and MS Office
• Be a member of the relevant state Financial Counselling Association

Experience of telephone-based financial counselling would be desirable, but is not mandatory.

This is a newly created team and would suit candidates with financial counsellor experience, or small business experience, looking to broaden their skills and take on a challenging but very important role in supporting small businesses to get back on their feet following the bushfires and now COVID.

Whilst we appreciate the interest of all prospective candidates, please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.