Introducing CommBank’s 2025 Next Chapter Innovation partners
This year’s partners were nominated by members of CommBank’s First Nations Employee Network and have been selected for their innovative, community-based approaches to supporting recovery in First Nations communities.
- Mudgin-gal Aboriginal Corporation (NSW) – Mudgin-gal – meaning “Women’s Place”, has stood at the heart of Redfern as a sanctuary for Aboriginal women and families. Entirely led by Aboriginal women, the organisation has become a beacon of community strength, cultural healing, and early intervention in the fight against family violence. Mudgin-gal Aboriginal Corporation will deliver Sacred Circles – trauma-informed, healing-led sessions that blend cultural practice with practical financial education, supporting women’s recovery and financial empowerment.
- Mookai Rosie-Bi-Bayan (QLD) – With more than 35 years of experience providing healthcare and accommodation services to women and children of Queensland’s Cape York, NPA, and Torres Strait regions, Mookai Rosie-Bi-Bayan is continuing the legacy of their Aunties by establishing the ‘Building Futures, Building Communities’ program. The initiative will create a social enterprise that supports victim-survivor recovery and generates income by harnessing traditional knowledge of plants, to make medicinal healing products, empowering women with both cultural and economic strength.
CommBank will also continue to work with its 2024 Next Chapter Innovation partners, Strong Women Talking and the Council of Aboriginal Services Western Australia (CASWA).
Mitchell Heritage, CommBank Executive Manager looking after First Nations business banking and a member of CommBank’s Indigenous Leadership Team said: “CommBank’s Next Chapter Innovation program was established to help break the cycle of financial abuse and empower people to rebuild long-term financial independence. This year, we are pleased to support First Nations communities through the program by investing in innovative, culturally informed programs. We are proud to back community-led organisations that are delivering real change on the ground.”
For further details on CommBank’s Next Chapter support, visit: commbank.com.au/nextchapter
CommBank launches FY26-28 Elevate RAP
This announcement aligns with the delivery of the Bank’s eighth Reconciliation Action Plan. Through the FY26-28 RAP, CommBank has reaffirmed its commitment to deliver 12 reconciliation priorities that will strengthen the Bank’s engagement with First Nations people across four key areas – reconciliation and community, education and careers, business success and growth, and financial inclusion.
In endorsing the Bank’s latest RAP, Karen Mundine, CEO of Reconciliation Australia said: “Commonwealth Bank’s FY26-28 Elevate RAP sets out their priorities in further strengthening their engagement with First Nations peoples. It builds on the Bank’s previous reconciliation commitments; through listening to the voices and expertise of First Nations people and using that knowledge to continually expand their strategies, the Bank demonstrates a sustainable approach to their reconciliation program, now and into the future.”
For further details on CommBank’s FY26-28 Elevate RAP, including the Bank’s FY26-28 RAP priorities, visit: commbank.com.au/reconciliation.
Anyone worried about their finances because of domestic or family violence or coercive control can contact the Next Chapter Team on 1800 222 387 for support – no matter who they bank with.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au or 13 YARN (13 92 76 or www.13yarn.org.au).
In an emergency or if you’re not feeling safe, always call 000.
Further information: demonstrated impact of the Next Chapter Innovation program through independent evaluation
An independent evaluation of CommBank’s Next Chapter Innovation program conducted by UNSW found that the first cohort of partners delivered significant outcomes, with broad reach across communities and the sector.
Key program results:
- Engagement with nearly 600 clients and service users.
- Collaboration with more than 150 stakeholders through workshops and consultations.
- The development of two new practice models and guidelines to strengthen responses to financial abuse.
Unique achievements of the individual partners include:
- Afghan Women on the Move worked with 500 Afghan and multicultural women to build financial skills, improve digital literacy, recognise financial abuse and explore employment and small business opportunities
- YFS Ltd enhanced sector-wide knowledge of technology facilitated abuse, engaging 90 victims-survivors and 133 sector workers to improve safety, wellbeing and response capability.
- EACH engaged 35 national stakeholders to co-design a service model addressing financial abuse in small business, intended for future implementation through a National Centre for Financial Abuse in Small Business.
- Indian (Sub-Cont) Crisis Support Agency developed a framework for communities and practitioners to better identify and respond to dowry abuse in South Asian communities.
