* 7–9 October 2026 * Pullman Albert Park * Over 400 Delegates across three days                               * 45+ Exhibitors & Partners * Australia's leading voices in financial hardship, consumer advocacy, policy and systemic reform

Important Registration Information

Wednesday, 7 October is exclusively for Financial Counsellors, Financial Capability Workers and Financial Mentors, featuring a dedicated Professional Development Day and Disaster Recovery Workshop.

Thursday and Friday (8–9 October) are open to all conference delegates, including financial counsellors, customer advocates, community organisations, government, regulators, industry partners, financial institutions, utilities, sponsors, exhibitors and other stakeholders.

Please ensure you select the registration option that best reflects your eligibility.

Welcome to Victoria's Premier Financial Counselling Conference

From 7–9 October 2026, the Pullman Melbourne Albert Park will become the meeting place for financial counsellors, community organisations, government agencies, regulators, industry leaders, financial institutions, utilities, advocates, researchers, sponsors, exhibitors and service providers.

While Wednesday is reserved exclusively for practising financial counsellors, Thursday and Friday bring the broader sector together, united by one shared purpose: to learn from one another, strengthen relationships and pursue better outcomes for Victorians experiencing financial hardship.

This year's theme, In Pursuit, captures the determination that unites our sector and the organisations that work alongside it.

Together, we are in pursuit of:

1. Fairness. For the people and communities we serve.
2. Collaboration. Across community, government, regulators and industry.
3. Innovation. That strengthens practice, inspires new thinking and drives meaningful reform.
4. Knowledge. That equips us to respond to emerging challenges with confidence and compassion.
5. Change. That creates lasting impact for individuals, families and communities experiencing financial hardship.

Demand for financial counselling services has never been greater. Cost-of-living pressures, housing stress, gambling harm, family violence, scams, disasters and increasingly complex financial systems continue to place enormous pressure on individuals, families and communities across Victoria. At the same time, these challenges present an opportunity for all sectors to work differently—together.

The Financial Counselling Victoria Conference has long been recognised as Victoria's leading forum for collaboration, bringing together the people and organisations who influence financial hardship policy, service delivery and systemic change. It is where ideas are challenged, partnerships are formed and practical solutions emerge.

Across three inspiring days, delegates will hear from influential leaders, policy makers, regulators and practitioners who are shaping the future of financial hardship support. The program features thought-provoking keynote presentations, practical workshops, interactive panel discussions, lived experience, networking opportunities and conversations that extend well beyond the conference itself.

Highlights of the 2026 program include:

➤ In Pursuit of Fairness – The Victorian Ombudsman's preventative approach to systemic reform.

➤ The future of consumer protection and equitable essential services.

➤ The official launch of Financial Counselling Victoria's Digital Transformation Project.

➤ A deep dive into integrated practice and cross-sector collaboration.

➤ A powerful lived experience performance and discussion exploring gambling harm.

➤ Practical sessions addressing disaster recovery, debt, hardship, advocacy, policy, innovation and emerging challenges facing our sector.

Beyond the conference program, delegates will have unrivalled opportunities to build relationships with colleagues and organisations from across community services, government, regulators, financial institutions, utilities and industry. With up to 400 delegates and more than 50 exhibitors and partners, the conference provides an unparalleled environment to exchange ideas, discover new initiatives and strengthen the collaborations that ultimately improve outcomes for the people we collectively serve.

Whether you are attending as a financial counsellor, community organisation, government representative, regulator, industry partner, sponsor, exhibitor or service provider, your contribution is part of this shared pursuit.

Because lasting change is never achieved alone.

It is pursued together.

We look forward to welcoming you to Melbourne this October as we continue the pursuit of fairness, dignity and meaningful change.

Join us. Be inspired. Build connections. Challenge ideas.

Join us In Pursuit.