--- title: Outcomes and Feedback - 2025 Innovation Grants description: Recipents and feedback image: https://www.fcif.org.au/hubfs/bulb%20-%20edit%202.jpg --- [![logo](https://www.fcif.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/logo.png?width=215&height=90&name=logo.png "logo")](https://fcif.org.au?hsLang=en-au) - [Home](https://www.fcif.org.au) - About us - [About FCIF](https://www.fcif.org.au/aboutfcif) - [2025-2028 Grants Strategy](https://www.fcif.org.au/funding-strategy) - [Equity and Transparency](https://www.fcif.org.au/equity-transparency) - [Help videos (using Blackbaud](https://www.fcif.org.au/videohelp) - [Measuring Unmet Demand](https://www.fcif.org.au/measuring-unmet-demand-working-group) - [Feedback](https://www.fcif.org.au/contact-0) - [Share your story](https://www.fcif.org.au/share) - [Subscribe](https://www.fcif.org.au/subscribe) - [Contact us](https://www.fcif.org.au/contact) - Expansion - [Expansion Grants](https://www.fcif.org.au/expansion) - [External Reviewers](https://www.fcif.org.au/expansion-reviewers) - [2025 Applications](https://www.fcif.org.au/2025-expansion-grant-applications) - [2025 Outcomes and Feedback](https://www.fcif.org.au/outcomes-and-feedback-2025-expansion-grants) - Innovation - [Innovation Grants](https://www.fcif.org.au/innovation) - [2025 Innovation Grants](https://www.fcif.org.au/outcomes-2025innovationgrants) - [2026 Outcomes and Feedback](https://www.fcif.org.au/2026-innovation-outcomes) - [Innovation Advisory Panel](https://www.fcif.org.au/panel) - Workforce Capability - [Workforce Capability Grants](https://www.fcif.org.au/workforce-capability-round) - [Workforce Capability Advisory Panel](https://www.fcif.org.au/workforce-capability-advisory-panel) - Funding partners - [Funding partners](https://www.fcif.org.au/funding-partners) - [Become a contributor](https://www.fcif.org.au/becomeacontributor) - [Home](https://www.fcif.org.au) - About us - [About FCIF](https://www.fcif.org.au/aboutfcif) - [2025-2028 Grants Strategy](https://www.fcif.org.au/funding-strategy) - [Equity and Transparency](https://www.fcif.org.au/equity-transparency) - [Help videos (using Blackbaud](https://www.fcif.org.au/videohelp) - [Measuring Unmet Demand](https://www.fcif.org.au/measuring-unmet-demand-working-group) - [Feedback](https://www.fcif.org.au/contact-0) - [Share your story](https://www.fcif.org.au/share) - [Subscribe](https://www.fcif.org.au/subscribe) - [Contact us](https://www.fcif.org.au/contact) - Expansion - [Expansion Grants](https://www.fcif.org.au/expansion) - [External Reviewers](https://www.fcif.org.au/expansion-reviewers) - [2025 Applications](https://www.fcif.org.au/2025-expansion-grant-applications) - [2025 Outcomes and Feedback](https://www.fcif.org.au/outcomes-and-feedback-2025-expansion-grants) - Innovation - [Innovation Grants](https://www.fcif.org.au/innovation) - [2025 Innovation Grants](https://www.fcif.org.au/outcomes-2025innovationgrants) - [2026 Outcomes and Feedback](https://www.fcif.org.au/2026-innovation-outcomes) - [Innovation Advisory Panel](https://www.fcif.org.au/panel) - Workforce Capability - [Workforce Capability Grants](https://www.fcif.org.au/workforce-capability-round) - [Workforce Capability Advisory Panel](https://www.fcif.org.au/workforce-capability-advisory-panel) - Funding partners - [Funding partners](https://www.fcif.org.au/funding-partners) - [Become a contributor](https://www.fcif.org.au/becomeacontributor) Search Search - [SUBSCRIBE](https://www.fcif.org.au/subscribe) - [NEED HELP?](https://www.fcif.org.au/about-fc) - - - [SUBSCRIBE](https://www.fcif.org.au/subscribe) - [NEED HELP?](https://www.fcif.org.au/about-fc) - - Search Search # 2025 Innovation Grants     ## 2025 Innovation Grants Most of the **2025 Innovation Seed Grants** have now concluded, and nine projects have submitted their final project reports. These reports detailed the learnings and projected sector-wide benefits of each project. [Download the reports](https://www.fcif.org.au/hubfs/2025%20Innovation%20Grant%20Projects%20Outcomes%20and%20Learnings.pdf?hsLang=en-au)   ## Grant recipients   ### Streamlining Remote and Rural access to Financial Counselling utilising AI ($30,000) CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Project will develop an AI-powered chatbot and phone intake system to streamline access to financial counselling for rural and remote clients. The system will enable 24/7 triage, reduce wait times, improve client readiness and support future sector-wide adoption.  ### Financial Counselling Open Banking Platform Prototype ($75,000) Financial Counselling Australia Ltd (FCA)  FCA will prototype a digital platform using Open Banking to automate bank data retrieval and streamline Statement of Financial Position (SoFP) preparation. Building on a successful pilot, the platform will reduce admin time, improve accuracy and strengthen sector-wide service capacity through centralised access.    ### Vanguard Technical Financial Counselling Support ($75,000) Financial Counselling Queensland  FCQ will develop a technical casework support service for financial counsellors, combining expert advice with an AI-powered chatbot to streamline case notes and improve service efficiency. The project aims to reduce admin burden, support professional development and enhance capacity, particularly for new, regional and remote workers, with potential for national rollout.  ### Financial Counselling Digital Transformation Roadmap: Data, Systems & Ethical AI ($74,400) Financial Counselling Victoria FCVic will partner with FCAN and Infoxchange to deliver a digital transformation roadmap including a review of client management systems, development of an ethical AI framework and access to an AI-readiness assessment tool. The project aims to reduce admin burden, improve interoperability and support values-aligned innovation across Victoria and NSW.   ### Multilingual services to improve CALD communities' access to financial counselling ($75,000) Financial Counsellors Association NSW FCAN will test AI-powered interpreter platforms to improve access for CALD clients. By trialling these tools in real-world settings, the project aims to reduce reliance on third-party interpreters, cut wait times, lower costs and enhance engagement. A best practice blueprint will be developed to support broader sector adoption.     *This project was discontinued in February 2026 at the Grantee’s request. FCAN explored using off-the-shelf AI products to deliver the project but ultimately determined that it was not viable at this point in time. The project has delivered learnings about service innovation that the grantee will share in their report.*  ### Efficiency Optimisation in Financial Counselling Leveraging Agentic AI ($75,000) Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand  Good Shepherd will develop an AI-assisted triage and referral tool to improve access, prioritisation and efficiency across Good Shepherd’s financial counselling services. The tool will use natural language processing to assess client needs and streamline intake and data entry with potential for sector-wide use. ### Reinvention of the Statement of Financial Position (SoFP) ($75,000) Central Coast Region Financial Counselling Service Central Coast Region Financial Counselling Service is enhancing the Statement of Financial Position (SoFP) by turning it into a smart digital worksheet. This upgrade will cut admin, speed up client support, and deliver more consistent outcomes. It will integrate with forms (like authority letters), tracks client finances over time, and assist with drafting letters to creditors using AI - all in a scalable and agency-agnostic way. ### Financial Counselling Co-Pilot ($75,000) Redgum Justice The Centre will explore how AI can support financial counselling case management. The project will evaluate tools for booking, transcription and drafting and develop a legal and ethical guide for the sector. Findings will be shared to support safe and consistent AI use.  ### BILLY - Bills Information, Loans & Language for You ($74,000) South East Community Links  SECL will develop and pilot BILLY, an AI-powered multilingual tool to support high-volume Bring Your Bills events for CALD and First Nations clients. The tool aims to digitise intake, provide chatbot-based navigation and improve triage and accessibility. It aims to save up to 20 minutes per client and produce a model for broader use.   ### Tools for Faster, Fairer Financial Counselling ($75,000) South East Community Links  SECL will develop and test AI tools that automate key admin tasks such as debt summaries, financial statements and case notes. The project will be co-designed with sector input and delivered in partnership with AI consultancy Alyve.   ### Live-chat and after-hours Financial Counselling services for Victorian Renters ($75,000) Tenants Victoria  Tenants Victoria will pilot live-chat and AI-assisted financial counselling including after-hours access for renters in financial stress. An AI virtual assistant will provide immediate triage and basic support easing pressure on phone lines and improving accessibility.   *This project was discontinued in February 2026 at the Grantee’s request. Tenants Victoria explored using the Genesys Cloud system to deliver the project but determined that it was not viable through this technology given the resources and time required. The project has delivered learnings about service innovation that the grantee will share.*   [![EAP](https://www.fcif.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/EAP.jpeg?width=2000&height=714&name=EAP.jpeg "EAP")](https://www.fcif.org.au/panel?hsLang=en-au) *The [Innovation Advisory Panel](https://www.fcif.org.au/panel?hsLang=en-au) discusses applications during our [assessment process](https://www.fcif.org.au/2025innovationgrants?hsLang=en-au)* ---    ---    [![acnc-logo](https://www.fcif.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/acnc-logo.png?width=200&height=201&name=acnc-logo.png "acnc-logo")](https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/f586a361-01fe-ee11-9f8a-00224893b0ed/profile) *We live and work on the lands of the Darkinjung people, and the Gadigal, Wangal and Gayamaygal people of the Eora Nation. We recognise them and other Traditional Custodians of this unceded land. We pay our respects to elders past and present. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.* © Financial Counselling Industry Fund. All rights reserved | [Privacy Policy](https://www.fcif.org.au/hubfs/Privacy%20Policy.pdf?hsLang=en-au)  ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "WebSite", "name" : "Financial Counselling Industry Fund", "url" : "https://www.fcif.org.au/" } ```