For further clarification of any of the following questions, please refer to the Commonwealth Financial Counselling and/or Financial Management Resource Support Unit Application Guidelines
Q. In relation to Commonwealth Financial Counsellors, why are other areas not being covered? Can an organisation negotiate with FaHCSIA for other areas?
No Areas of high need were identified on the basis of disadvantage and likely need. Additional areas are not within the scope of this funding round.
Q. Does an application need to cover the whole area identified?
An application may cover all or part of the area identified. Coverage of the proposed service should be made clear in the application.
Q. Can an organisation or service provider based in one place apply to deliver services in another state or territory or place?
Yes. The application should include information on what local supervisory arrangement would be put in place.
Q. Is the funding only until 30 June 2009?
Funding for Commonwealth Financial Counselling positions is ongoing. The Financial Management Resource Support Units will be trialled in the 2008-09 budget year with funding to 30 June 2009. Any subsequent funding is subject to further consideration by the Government.
Q. What communities in East and West Arnhem Land in the NT are covered?
For Commonwealth Financial Counselling the identified communities are at Attachment A of the Application Guidelines and for the Financial Management Resource Support Units, see Attachment B of the same Guidelines.
Q. Can organisations which are not Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) apply to provide only part of the required services?
Yes, although applicants would be required to have in place a contract for the services of an RTO - as the provision of accredited training is a requirement for Resource Support Unit providers.
Q. Can a provider of Emergency Relief and No Interest Loan Scheme apply to provide Commonwealth Financial Counselling services?
Yes.
Q. Could the Commonwealth Financial Counselling service being provided on a part-time basis?
Yes. We expect that a position would be funded for between 3 and 5 days per week, however, all applications will be considered.
Q. For Commonwealth Financial Counselling services, is there a client quota?
No, while performance is monitored through reporting, the number of clients assisted will depend on a range of factors, including the complexity of cases and time spent travelling.
Q. Can an organisation not yet registered as not-for-profit apply for a Commonwealth Financial Counselling position?
To be eligible for funding organisations must be non-profit community based organisations, incorporated under the relevant state or territory legislation or be a local government organisation. Applications from ineligible organisations will be considered non-compliant.
Specialist Position - telephone service for Western Australia
Q. What areas of WA are intended to be covered by the proposed telephone financial counselling position?
State wide coverage is intended and there is no preferred location for the provider.
New Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (31 Oct 2008)
Q. Where do I find the requirements for the Telephone Counselling positions?
Requirements for the telephone counselling positions have not been specified. The proposed service delivery arrangements must meet the Application Guidelines and the Commonwealth Financial Counselling (CFC) Program Guidelines.
Q. Where there is more than one existing service provider in an identified area, will preference be given to applications that propose consortium arrangements or will equal consideration be given to (i) applications that propose serving part of the identified area and (ii) separate complementary applications designed to deliver a comprehensive and cooperative financial counselling service delivery model for the identified area?
Applications will be assessed on merit. An application that is assessed as being able to deliver best coverage of the identified area is likely to be preferred where other factors are equal.
Q. In the Application Form, do we ignore Part 2a (Consortium Details) if we are not going to be part of a Consortium?
Yes.
Q. In the Application Form, when detailing recent funding applications (Question 14), do we include ongoing applications? Pending applications? Funding which we were offered and did not apply for? Ongoing funding of a long-term nature (such as Emergency Relief)?
Question 14 seeks information on recent funding applications made by your organisation in relation to FaHCSIA funding - regardless of whether or not you know the outcome.
Q. In the Application Form, Questions 14 and 15 don't seem to be accepting electronic data entry.
In Questions 14 and 15, the default font colour was unfortunately set to white (which meant that the entered text did not show up against a white background). A new version has been loaded on the website.
Specialist Position - People Affected by Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Q. Where is the specialist position for people affected by drug and alcohol addiction going to be located in Victoria?
The location is not specified. Applications should propose arrangement to address the target audience - people affected by drug and alcohol addiction. The location will be determined on the merit of applications.
Q. What is the rationale for the specialist position for people affected by drug and alcohol addiction in Victoria?
The specialist position is in response to feedback received during consultations on priorities for the additional positions. Drug and alcohol addiction can have a serious financial impact on individuals and families. Financial counselling can both provide a crisis response and contribute to good longer term outcomes for people affected by drug and alcohol addiction.
Q. Are there special requirements for the specialist position for people affected by drug and alcohol addiction in Victoria?
The requirements are set out in the selection criteria. Commonwealth Financial Counselling organisations provide free financial counselling to people who are experiencing personal financial difficulties. This position is expected to provide these services to people affected by drug and alcohol addiction and the service delivery model should be outlined in any funding application.
Q. For the specialist position for people affected by drug and alcohol addiction, are connections needed to alcohol and drug services?
Applicants should include information on how they would deliver the required services to the target group, including how they would work collaboratively within local community service networks.
New Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (6 Nov 2008)
Q. Are referee reports or letters of support required for the current Commonwealth Financial Counselling funding process?
No, although applicants may choose to include the contact details of referees in support of claims made in an application.
Q. Are there any page or word limits when addressing Part 6 (Selection Criteria) of the Application Form?
No, however, applicants should try to keep responses to Questions 17-19 as clear and concise as possible.
Q. Where can I find the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) July 2008?
The ASGC is available on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
Q. If an applicant is successful, will this have any impact on the level of funding that they currently receive from the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs under any program?
No.
Q. Will preference be given to one organisation delivering all three Financial Management Resource Support Units?
No. Each application will be assessed against the selection criteria.
Q. In relation to the Western Australian Financial Management Resource Support Unit, will preference be given to an organisation located in the Kimberley region?
No. Each application will be assessed against the selection criteria.
Q. How much funding is available for each Financial Management Resource Support Unit?
Funding for each Financial Management Resource Support Unit should include (but not limited to) the costs of provided accredited training, mentoring and capacity building, access to accredited financial counselling, and associated costs. Actual funding for each site will be negotiated with successful applicants.
Q. For the Northern Territory, could a Financial Management Resource Support Unit be based in Katherine?
Yes. The application should include information on how the region specified will be serviced from Katherine.
New Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (10 Nov 2008)
Q. Is it possible to get a general briefing about the Financial Management Resource Support Unit funding?
Information sessions on service delivery requirements for the Financial Management Resource Support Units are being held in Darwin (Wed 12 Nov 2008), Alice Springs (Thurs 13 Nov 2008), Perth (Thurs 13 Nov 2008) and Broome (Fri 14 Nov 2008). Details, including how to register, are available on the FaHCSIA website.
Q. When will successful applicants be notified?
It is expected that successful applicants will be notified in January 2009.
Q. If we apply for funding for more than one Commonwealth Financial Counselling position, how would we present this information in Part 6 (Selection Criteria) of the Application Form? For example, would we provide general organisation information under each selection criteria, then specific information for each position?
Responses to Questions 17, 18 and 19 should be as clear and concise as possible. Accordingly, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of information, an applicant who is applying for funding for more than one position might choose to provide both general organisation information and position specific information for each question.
Q. In New South Wales, what is the relevant association of which financial counsellors are expected to a member or eligible for membership and what is considered to be appropriate training for a financial counsellor?
In New South Wales, the relevant association is the Financial Counsellors' Association of NSW Inc (FCAN). FCAN provides training for, and accreditation of, financial counsellors in New South Wales.
Q. For the Commonwealth Financial Counselling positions for Whyalla/Pirie/Port Lincoln/Tumby Bay/Ceduna/Streaky Bay/Port Augusta in South Australia, can an applicant apply for less than the total 1.6 (full-time equivalent) positions?
Yes.
Q. For the Commonwealth Financial Counselling positions, should applications be based on funding of $90,000 (excluding GST) per full-time position per annum?
Yes.
Q. If we apply for funding for a Commonwealth Financial Counselling position, do we submit a budget for the remainder of 2008-09 or do we submit a budget for a full financial year and expect a pro-rata payment for 2008-09 based on the number of months left in the funding period?
Providing a full financial year budget would be preferred, given it is expected that the positions would be funded in the subsequent years. Funding for 2008-09 would be provided on a pro-rata basis.
Q. For the Commonwealth Financial Counselling positions, can we seek start up costs (in addition to seeking funding on the basis of the $90,000 (excluding GST) per full-time position per annum)?
Yes - start up costs are available.
Q. For the Commonwealth Financial Counselling positions, for what period will successful applications be offered funding?
It is expected that successful applicants will be offered funding until 30 June 2010.
Q. Can an organisation seek Commonwealth Financial Counselling funding to deliver a service that is focussed on one or more particularly disadvantaged group within an Identified Area?
Yes, although an application that is assessed as being able to deliver best coverage of the identified area is likely to be preferred where other factors are equal.
Q. What are the identified areas for the new Commonwealth Financial Counselling positions?
The identified areas for the new Commonwealth Financial Counselling services are:
NSW/ACT (4 positions):
- Western Sydney
- Mid-North Coast
- Richmond-Tweed
- Specialist Position - Telephone Financial Counselling - Housing Debt Stress
Victoria (4 positions):
- North West Melbourne
- Greater Dandenong
- Greater Geelong
- Specialist Position - People Affected by Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Queensland (3 positions):
- Logan City
- Gold Coast
- Toowoomba/Ipswich/Upper West Moreton/Lower West Moreton/Scenic Rim
South Australia (3 positions):
- North/West Adelaide
- Whyalla/Pirie/Port Lincoln/Tumby Bay/Ceduna/Streaky Bay/Port Augusta (2 positions)
Northern Territory (2 positions):
- North West Top End
- East/West Arnhem
Western Australia (2 positions):
- Telephone Financial Counselling (state-wide)
Tasmania (1 position)
The identified areas, and the Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) covered by each area, are listed near the end of Section 5 of the Application Guidelines.
New Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (13 Nov 2008)
Q. For the Commonwealth Financial Counselling positions, what will happen after 30 June 2010?
Decisions around funding post 30 June are subject to further consideration by the Government.
Q. In the Application Form, what is meant by 'supporting positions' in Question 18 c)?
Supporting positions might include administrative/clerical/bookkeeping/supervisory staff who, as a small part of their duties, support a Commonwealth Financial Counselling position or a Financial Management Resource Support Unit.
Q. In the Application Form, what is meant by 'data reporting arrangements' in Question 19 d)?
Data reporting arrangements include collection, storage, collation, quality assurance and security of client data.
Q. Could you clarify what organisations are eligible for Commonwealth Financial Counselling funding and what organisations are eligible for the Financial Management Resource Support Unit funding?
As specified in Section 2.1 of the online Application Guidelines:
- Commonwealth Financial Counselling organisations must be non profit community-based organisations incorporated under the relevant State or Territory legislation (or established under other legislation) or Local Government organisations
- For the Financial Management Resource Support Units, an eligible organisation must be an incorporated association, incorporated cooperative, organisation established through specific Commonwealth or State/Territory legislation (e.g. church, public benevolent institution), Aboriginal Corporation, local government, company (incorporated under Corporations Act 2001) or a trustee on behalf of a trust. These organisations may be for profit.
Q. For Commonwealth Financial Counselling, I understand that applications should be based on $90,000 (excluding GST) per full-time position per annum. Does this mean we must apply for exactly $90,000?
No, although your application should be based on $90,000 per full-time position per annum.
Q. For Commonwealth Financial Counselling, where the Application Guidelines specify one or less FTE position for an identified area, can we share the position between more than one financial counsellor?
Yes
New Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (17 Nov 2008)
Q. Can an organisation purchase assets like a vehicle with start-up funds?
An applicant can include motor vehicle costs when seeking start up funds, where it would be required to perform the service. The Department's policy is that motor vehicles be leased. Other options are only explored when leasing a vehicle is not possible.
Q. What restrictions will be put on the use of assets? What happens to the assets at the end of the funding period?
The Funding Agreement includes detailed information relating to assets, please see the Application Package for this document.
Q. If successful, as lead agency, our organisation intends to subcontract parts of regional service delivery to existing financial counselling providers. Is it sufficient that we indicate our intention by answering 'Yes' at Question 4. Our interpretation is that this does not mean a consortium. Is our assumption correct?
An organisation can propose subcontracting other organisations to deliver services, without forming a consortium. The Funding Agreement includes information relating to subcontracting. Details about the delivery model proposed, through either subcontracting or a consortium, should be provided.
Q. To what degree of detail does an application need to provide in regard to service delivery locations within a region. Must these be pre-determined and stated at the time of application or can applicants outline where they expect to provide services with exact details to be provided at a later date?
An application can include unconfirmed service delivery locations, although it would be expected that the confirmed service delivery locations will not be significantly different.
Q. Can someone please advise me on the best method of providing the information required by you on page 10 of the Application Form? I have tried to enter this information directly onto the form but am unable to do so.
If you are still having problems in entering the information, you can include the information as an attachment to the Application Form.
Q. If the Department isn't going to notify organisations of the receipt of applications until some time after the closing date, would it be okay for us to send an email to Financial Management (financial.management@fahcsia.gov.au) advising the Department that we have submitted as application?
Yes.
Q. In the context of Question 14, what does 'recently' mean?
There is no set time period for 'recently', but information should be provided on any applications made during 2008.
Q. What is the salary range for financial counsellors in South Australia?
The South Australian Financial Counsellors Association might be able to provide you with an overview of the salary range in South Australia.
Q. We have concerns about providing a 2008-09 income and expense budget (Application Form, Question 11), as this is a commercial-in-confidence document and management would require the approval of the Board of Directors for it to be made available to a third party. In addition, the funding that we propose seeking would represent an extremely small percentage of the organisation's annual operating income.
Part 4 of the Application Form (Questions 11-15) is designed to help us determine if your organisation is financially viable and has sound governance. As indicated in the Application Guidelines, the department will not release any personal or business information to any individual or organisation unless required by privacy law or you provide consent. If you are unable to supply the required financial documents, you must provide a written explanation with your application.
Q. Can an organisation submit a single application covering more than one Commonwealth Financial Counselling position?
Yes
Q. For the Commonwealth Financial Counselling positions, are there separate funds for interpreters or can we specify interpreter costs in the Budget section (Part 5) section of the Application Form?
Costs for interpreters, if required, should be specified in the Budget section of your application.
Questions from Financial Mangement Resource Support Unit Information Sessions (12-14 November 2008)
Q. Is the use of Financial Management Resource Support Units a trial?
Yes
Q. Are Financial Management Resource Support Unit providers expected to network with remote communities?
Financial Management Resource Support Unit providers will be required to network with Money Management service providers.
Q. Where are the two Northern Territory Financial Management Resource Support Units to be located?
No particular locations have been identified, however a possible scenario is one located in Darwin and one in Alice Springs.
Q. Would a Northern Financial Management Resource Support Unit site include Tennant Creek?
Specific service delivery regions for Financial Management Resource Support Units have not been determined to provide flexibility in delivery models.
Q. Is the Certificate III in Financial Services - Indigenous the only certificate which can be used for Money Management workers?
No, any Certificate III in financial services will meet this requirement.
Q. Would FaHCSIA approach organisations to suggest they form a partnership or consortium to deliver services, if there is not an adequate response to the Financial Management Resource Support Units selection process?
In the event that a suitable provider is not identified through this open selection process it is expected that a direct selection process would be undertaken.
Q. Do applicants have to submit a risk analysis?
Refer to Part 6, Question 19b) of the Application Form regarding the need to demonstrate financial controls and risk management applications.
Q. Was the Financial Management Resource Support Unit application process advertised locally in Alice Springs, in the Central Advocate?
No. The advertisement appeared in the Northern Territory News and Weekend Australian in the NT and other newspapers nationally.
Q. Are the Financial Management Resource Support Units to be located in remote sites?
Specific service delivery regions for Financial Management Resource Support Units have not been determined to provide flexibility in delivery models.
Q. Why was it decided to establish Financial Management Resource Support Units for such a short timeframe (from February to June 2009)?
Establishment of Financial Management Resource Support Units is a new concept and is being trialled in 2008-09.
Q. Is it possible for both of the Northern Territory Financial Management Resource Support Units to be located in the same location?
Yes, however it would need to be clearly identified in the service delivery model how on the ground services would be delivered to meet the need of Money Management service providers.
Q. Can only not-for-profit organisations apply for Financial Management Resource Support Unit funding?
No, for profit organisations can also apply for Financial Management Resource Support Unit funding.
Q. Can Financial Management Resource Support Units charge a fee for service?
No, successful applicants will be funded to deliver services without charge as outlined in the Application Guidelines, paragraphs 2.4.2 and 2.6.2.
Q. Will there be a Financial Management Resource Support Unit in the Pilbara region of Western Australia?
Not at the present time.
Q. Will there be a Financial Management Resource Support Unit in the South West region of Western Australia?
Not at the present time.
Q. For the Financial Management Resource Support Units, where an applicant is NOT proposing an arrangement with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), does the applicant need to be a RTO at the time the funding application is submitted?
No, however the applicant would need to be a RTO at the time the funding agreement is signed.
Q. For the Financial Management Resource Support Units, where an applicant IS proposing an arrangement with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), does the applicant need to have a partnership agreement with the RTO in place at the time the funding application is submitted?
No, however the applicant would need to have a partnership agreement with a RTO in place at the time the funding agreement is signed.
Q. Should applications for Financial Management Resource Support Unit funding, like Commonwealth Financial Counselling applications, be based on $90,000 (excluding GST) per full-time position per annum?
There is no pre-determined amount for the Financial Management Resource Support Units.
Q. What is the role of the Financial Management Resource Support Unit? Is it primarily compliance monitoring of Money Management service providers?
The primary role of the Financial Management Resource Support Unit is to provide capacity building, training, ongoing support and access to financial counselling services for Money Management service providers. Compliance monitoring of Money Management and Financial Management Resource Unit service providers will be conducted by the Department.
Q. Have the Financial Management Resource Support Units been trialled in the Northern Territory previously?
No, it is a new concept based on a previous financial counselling support pilot for MoneyBusiness and Family Income Management service providers.
Q. How many Money Management Services are in place in Western Australia?
There are MoneyBusiness services in Geraldton and Kununurra. Three new Money Management services will be commencing shortly in Broome, Derby and Fitzroy Crossing. It is anticipated that an additional two services will commence in other locations in the Kimberley shortly.
Q. In preparing an application for Financial Management Resource Support Unit funding could interested parties contact Money Management service providers to help preparing the submission?
The Department has no arrangement in place to facilitate access to existing Money Management service providers. However, applicants could approach any organisation to assist with their application.
New Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (20 Nov 2008)
Q. How many Money Management Workers are located at each Money Management site?
The number of workers at each site is dependent on the area serviced by the Money Management service provider. Money Management positions could be full-time or part-time positions.
Q. Regarding Question 18b) of the Application Form, do we need to include detailed position descriptions for all supporting positions with our application or will we only have to provide them on request at a later date?
Although it is expected that applications will include position descriptions for key supporting positions, the level of detail does not have to be at a duty statement level.