Professional Development
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Continuing professional development is the reinforcement or acquisition of skills or knowledge relevant to the workplace.
All financial counsellors are required to participate in CPD activities in order to remain eligible for membership with their state or territory association, and to ensure that their employer is compliant with the conditions of the relevant regulations (such as the ASIC Licencing Exemption). The National Standards requirement for CPD is 20 points per annum.
Eligible CPD activities may include training, research, reflection or innovation that develops or improves the financial counsellor’s expertise and competence. View the CPD Factsheet for more information.
FCAN delivers a CPD program that covers a broad variety of topics to help members maintain their skills and uphold professional standards. The CPD program aligns to the National Standards.
Our professional development courses include updates on consumer and credit issues, counselling and emerging issues identified in the financial counselling sector. We also provide Supervision Courses and Supervision Updates for our Professional Supervisors.
The FCAN networks located throughout NSW and online also deliver CPD topics for members. Network meetings are advertised in the FCAN member weekly newsletter,
There are three categories of CPD:
Technical – e.g. content knowledge relevant to legal issues, banking, fines, EDR/IDR, superannuation, hardship, insurance, completion of Statements of Financial Position
Skills – e.g. counselling, mental health, communication (written, verbal), interviewing, cultural awareness, suicide prevention/training and negotiation
Ethics – e.g. conflict of interest, boundaries, counselling relationships, cultural awareness, options- client choices; appropriate referral to other services
Our continuing professional development courses are advertised in the FCAN member weekly newsletter.
CPD Requirements for Financial Counsellors
Accredited and Associate members are required each year to complete a minimum of 20 CPD points.
Student Financial Counsellors are encouraged to undertake CPD to supplement their learning during their studies.
CPD points can be claimed for a variety of learning activities, including live webinars, e-learning, face-to-face workshops, conferences, preparation of education sessions, and contribution to research projects. Allocation of points is explained in the National Standards for Membership and Accreditation.
CPD requirements are the same for all financial counsellors, regardless of working hours. There is no pro-rata application.
Members need to maintain a record of their CPD points for membership renewal each year.