Sometimes the strongest pathways into financial counselling work come from lived experience. That’s exactly what sits at the heart of Manasi’s story, a journey shaped by challenge, resilience, and a deep commitment to helping others find their footing.
Finding Her Way in Unfamiliar Territory
When Manasi first arrived in Australia from India, life took an unexpected turn. Facing health challenges, financial hardship, and single parenthood, she was forced to learn how to navigate a maze of unfamiliar systems. With no prior experience of welfare support and no understanding of how services worked, there was no clear roadmap to follow.
It was a turning point when Manasi first met with a financial counsellor. The support mattered, but what stayed with her was the respect she was shown. “It wasn’t about shame,” said Manasi. “It was the dignity that was given back to me.” That moment planted a lasting seed.
A Seed That Kept Growing
As life moved forward, that early experience stuck with her. Years later, during COVID, she decided to shift into social work, but the pull toward financial counselling never really left.
With a background in economics and business, she could clearly see the gap: how do you talk about wellbeing when someone is just trying to survive day to day? Determined to build a future while advocating for others, Manasi took the next step and decided to study financial counselling.
After applying for a scholarship through ICAN Learn, she received the life‑changing news that she’d been successful in an unexpected place: a hospital emergency department!
“I jumped for joy,” she said. “Everyone turned around in the emergency department, wondering who this happy person was. I was just so grateful to be accepted.”
Fast forward to today, and Manasi is now a qualified financial counsellor and continuing her studies in financial wellbeing, stepping fully into the work that once helped her.
Seeing the Bigger Picture
Through her learning journey, Manasi gained a deeper understanding of just how fragile financial stability can be. One of the biggest takeaways? “We are all just a few missed paychecks away from homelessness,” said Manasi.
It’s a powerful reminder that financial hardship isn’t about poor choices; it’s often about circumstances. Rising costs, housing pressures, health issues, family breakdown, these are realities many people are navigating right now. And increasingly, it’s happening to people you wouldn’t expect.
It’s Not Just About Helping, It’s About Empowering
One of the strongest themes in Manasi’s story is the difference between helping someone and truly empowering them. Helping might solve a problem in the moment, but financial counselling goes further.
It builds confidence, deepens knowledge, and gives people the tools to advocate for themselves. As Manasi explains, “If you teach someone and give them knowledge, you’re building their toolkit for the future.” This is where the real impact begins.
Why This Work Matters
For people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, this support can be life-changing.
Many are navigating entirely new systems while carrying past experiences of instability or trauma. Financial counselling offers more than just practical support; it builds understanding, confidence, and a sense of control.
Simple tools like budgeting, understanding the difference between needs and wants, or knowing your rights as a consumer can shift someone from crisis to stability. These essential skills don’t stop with one person, they flow through families and into the wider community where the ripple effect takes hold.”
Learning That Feels Real
Manasi describes her experience with ICAN Learn as something truly different.
“Being taught by practising financial counsellors meant the learning wasn’t just theoretical, it was shaped by real stories, real clients, and real outcomes. Just as importantly, the approach was deeply human,” she said.
Even while facing her own challenges, she experienced flexibility, empathy, and genuine care from ICAN Learn trainers and staff, something she says made all the difference.
Full Circle—and Paying It Forward
Completing the Diploma created new opportunities – new networks, practical experience, and career pathways. Yet for Manasi, the real significance was deeply personal: her journey had come full circle, from being supported to supporting others.
As Manasi explains, “financial counselling is about more than money — it’s about paying it forward.”
Manasi’s studies with ICAN Learn include:
- Diploma of Financial Counselling CHC51122
- Apply Basic Concepts of Small Business to Financial Counselling CHCFIN010
- Financial Literacy Education CHCSS00077
For more information about how ICAN Learn can help with your training needs:
Visit our website to find out about our current courses and scholarships.
Or contact us at administration@icanlearn.edu.au
