Financial Counsellor

ActionHRM, Pty; Ballarat; On-site; AUD 106,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Professional development

Supervision support

Collaborative culture

Child safety focus

Meaningful impact

3 days Christmas Leave

Job summary

Cafs is inviting applications for a Financial Counsellor based in Ballarat, VIC. This full-time fixed-term role (to 30 September 2027) provides financial counselling to help clients regain control and achieve sustainable outcomes.

Salary $105,736 to $110,518 (CDW 5) plus superannuation, with salary packaging up to $15,900 and meals/entertainment benefits. Includes above-award entitlements such as 3 days paid Christmas Leave.

Qualifications

• Diploma of Financial Counselling or working towards completion within two years.
• Eligible for FCVic membership.
• Non-judgemental, client-focused approach with strong advocacy skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with clients, creditors and community services.

Responsibilities

• Deliver financial counselling services in accordance with program guidelines.
• Assess clients' concerns and financial position; help them set achievable goals.
• Provide information and options; support informed decision-making.
• Advocate and negotiate with creditors on behalf of clients.
• Provide financial and paralegal interventions related to credit laws and bankruptcy.
• Maintain accurate case notes and data; meet funded performance requirements.
• Assess and manage family violence risk using the MARAM framework.
• Support people experiencing gambling harm with non-judgemental guidance.
• Contribute to systemic advocacy and educate professionals and agencies.
• Participate in CPD to maintain FCVic membership.

Skills

Advocacy skills

Client-focused approach

Relationship building

Negotiation with creditors

Systemic advocacy

Education

Diploma of Financial Counselling

Tools

Client management system

Job description

Support people experiencing financial hardship to understand their options, regain control and achieve meaningful, sustainable outcomes.

Employment type: Full Time, fixed term to 30 September 2027.

Salary: $105,736 to $110,518 (CDW 5) + superannuation

Salary packaging options: Up to $15,900 plus meals and entertainment benefits Location: Ballarat, VIC

Above award entitlements: Including 3 days paid Christmas Leave annually

Our Values

At Cafs, our work is guided by the values of:

Respect | Integrity | Collaboration | Kindness | Innovation

About the Program

The Cafs Financial Counselling Program supports people experiencing financial difficulty, with a focus on financially disadvantaged and vulnerable Victorians. The program provides information, referral, financial counselling casework and related services, including specialist Family Violence Financial Counselling, Gamblers Help and Financial Counselling.

About the Role

As a Financial Counsellor, you will assess the factors contributing to financial hardship and provide information, options, support, referral and advocacy. You will work alongside individuals and families to help them make informed decisions, manage financial issues and work towards sustainable outcomes.

You will provide sessional and extended casework across multiple specialisms, including support for people who have experienced family violence and gambling harm. This role requires a non-judgemental, client-focused approach, strong advocacy skills and the ability to build positive relationships with clients, creditors, community services and other stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver financial counselling services in accordance with program and operational guidelines.
• Assess clients’ presenting concerns and financial position and work collaboratively with them to establish achievable goals.
• Provide clear information and options to help clients manage or resolve financial issues and actively participate in decision-making.
• Advocate and negotiate with creditors on behalf of clients when required.
• Provide financial and paralegal interventions relating to credit laws, bankruptcy, Ombudsman schemes and financial hardship best practice.
• Maintain accurate case notes, client management system records and statistical data, and deliver services in line with funded performance requirements.
• Assess and manage family violence risk using the MARAM framework.
• Provide non-judgemental support and advocacy to people experiencing gambling harm.
• Contribute to systemic advocacy and educate professionals, programs and agencies about financial literacy and referral pathways.
• Undertake continuous professional development to maintain FC Vic membership and accreditation requirements.

Why Join Cafs?

At Cafs, you'll join a supportive and inclusive organisation where your contribution genuinely matters.

• Salary packaging benefits
• Professional development and career progression opportunities
• Regular supervision and leadership support
• A supportive, collaborative and values-based culture
• An organisation committed to child safety, inclusion, diversity and eliminating family violence
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference for individuals and families experiencing financial hardship
• Above-award benefits, including 3 days paid Christmas Leave annually

If you are a compassionate and skilled practitioner who is committed to empowering people experiencing financial hardship, we'd love to hear from you. You will hold a Diploma of Financial Counselling, or be working towards completion within two years, and be eligible for membership of FCVic.

To find out more about this opportunity, please refer to the attached position description when applying. For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Rosie Mullany, Team Leader Financial Counselling and Gamblers Help, at [e-mail] or on 03 5337 3333. Applications close 27 October 2026. Please note that applications may be reviewed as they are received, and applicants may be contacted for interview prior to the closing date. All applicants must be eligible to work in Australia, and employment will be subject to satisfactory Police and Victorian Working with Children Checks. A current Victorian Driver Licence is also required.

Our Commitment

Inclusion and diversity are at the heart of everything we do at Cafs. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, members of the LGBTIQA+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

To work with people to enable healing, hope and meaningful impact across all generations.