The FPA said it is in the process of establishing a pro bono program where members can volunteer their time to help Australians impacted by the bushfires.
It said the process for applying for pro bono support from FPA members is currently being finalised and will be announced in the coming weeks.
In addition, the FPA noted that its Wellbeing service is available for members who have been directly impacted by the bushfires and want free and confidential support.
The FPA said it understands that individuals and families are struggling during this difficult time as emergency services continue to battle the bushfires throughout several states.
Further, it said that once the bushfires have been extinguished, many Australians will need to rebuild their lives and for many, this will include significant financial pressures.
“The FPA community supported those who suffered in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and we want to offer our support again,” said FPA chief executive Dante De Gori.
“Our members have lifelong relationships with some of the people impacted by the bushfires. We will be offering whatever aid we can to help rebuild and recover.”
Similarly, the AFA said it is looking at ways to assist through targeted donations from the AFA Foundation and working with the ProBono Financial Network.
It has also made a Critical Incident Resource Kit available to members, their families and staff members through its AFA Care partnership with Benestar.
AFA chief executive Philip Kewin said the association’s thoughts are with the many thousands of people who have suffered as a result of the devastating bushfires that have burned across our country, and to the thousands of people who are on the ground fighting the fires, defending their homes and assisting their communities.
“AFA advisers are already working with affected clients to help them understand how to access the various levels of financial support that have been made available,” Mr Kewin said.
“We also know that there are AFA members who have themselves been impacted and are defending or evacuating their homes. Others are working as RFS and other volunteers to help their communities.
“We understand it is an extremely confronting event for all and members can access AFA Care if they are having difficulties coping.”
I don’t want a fee waiver I just want them to do what they are meant to do which is represent my interests as a member to the government?
Pity it takes a terrible disaster for these once relevant organisations to do something that may actually help…
Why don’t the FPA and AFA offer to waive their membership fees for any affected members for the next 12mths and provide real meaningful financial support – rather then suggesting how the rest of the FP community can do so. Many FPs are already lending a hand, now it is the AFA and FPA’s turn to do something rather then tell us what to do.
Agree, a fee waiver would be a great idea. With payments from product manufacturers and members fees built up from doing nothing some circa $12 million in cash (blood money) on the balance sheet, earning less than term deposit rates a small donation could be an option. They have no obvious intentions of using it.