Three decades of financial information

This month marks the 30th anniversary of the Department of Human Services’ Financial Information Service (FIS), which has helped millions of Australians over the past three decades.

FIS is a free information service which educates Australians on financial matters such as understanding shares and superannuation, and planning for retirement.

General Manager Hank Jongen has congratulated the Financial Information Service and its officers on delivering 30 years of trusted information to Australians.

“Since it began in 1989, the service has recorded more than 8.3 million interactions with Australians, held 1.9 million information seminars and interviews, and taken more than 4.4 million calls,” Mr Jongen said.

“The specialist officers also operate an outreach service which supports retrenched workers and vulnerable communities by explaining the interaction between government payments and personal finances.”

Earlier this year, FIS Officers worked closely with the Queensland Government’s Department of Employment to tailor information seminars specifically for workers affected by the Sibelco mine closure in south eastern Queensland.

Throughout August, they conducted redundancy information sessions for over 200 staff affected by the mining operation closures at Pinkenba and Stradbroke Island.

They also assisted farmers around Glen Innes in northern New South Wales to understand the services and payments available to them while battling one of their worst droughts on record.

The service is independent and confidential. It is available to everyone, not just people receiving government payment and services. FIS supports Australians through free seminars, over the phone, and via personal appointments.

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