More Queensland families will receive a helping hand to reduce their debt and ease cost of living pressures, thanks to a $195,000 Palaszczuk Government grant.
Minister for Communities Coralee O'Rourke today announced the funding would be provided to the Financial Counsellors Association of Queensland (FCAQ).
"We know that some individuals and families are financially disadvantaged and are at a greater risk of financial vulnerability and exclusion from mainstream financial services," Mrs O'Rourke said.
"This can include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those who use the Queensland Community Support Scheme (QCSS) for in-home support services to live independently in their own homes.
"This funding will help build capacity and linkages between QCSS service providers and funded financial counselling and resilience services and improve support to these clients.
"For example, this support can include financial counselling, budgeting tools and advocacy for individuals and families to help them not only get through tough times but become more resilient and better able to cope in the future.
"FCAQ will also work closely with current QCSS service providers who support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote, rural and regional communities.
"This means we can link families in need of community care support to broader assistance – including help to solve any financial and budget-related problems they might be facing.
"This will strengthen the ability of service providers to offer culturally-appropriate services that focus on helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to thrive by meeting both their financial well-being and health needs."
The FCAQ is the peak professional body for financial counsellors, with more than 100 members across the state.
Mrs O'Rourke said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to helping families and individuals reach or maintain financial security.
"We know that cost of living pressures can also be an ongoing challenge for many Queenslanders – and this includes seniors, people living in rural, regional and remote communities and women affected by domestic and family violence," she said.
"That's why we are continuing to work with our non-government partners to ensure financial resilience workers and counsellors can provide assistance to people in financial distress so they can make ends meet.
"We've invested $31.5 million for 27 financial counsellor and financial resilience workers in 26 locations across the state, Emergency Relief responses and two Good Money Stores in Cairns and on the Gold Coast."
