Domestic & Family Violence Assistance Program

How we can help

If you're a CommBank customer experiencing a domestic or family violence situation, you can speak to our specialist Community Wellbeing team about your banking needs. This includes situations of financial abuse (PDF).

You can call a Community Wellbeing specialist on 1800 222 387 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday (Sydney/Melbourne time – excluding public holidays).
Impact of coronavirus and domestic and family violence.

Instances of domestic and family violence often increase in times of disaster. The coronavirus pandemic is proving to be no exception globally, with financial abuse also likely to increase. Financial abuse is a serious form of domestic and family violence where someone uses money as a means to gain power over or control their partner.

To support our staff and customers we have produced a four-page guide about the impact of the coronavirus and domestic and family violence; with helpful information about financial abuse, pathways to support and useful suggestions about staying safe and staying connected.

- You'll have access to a Community Wellbeing Specialist who will assess your needs and help you safely manage your finances
- If you have any lending products with CBA and are experiencing financial hardship as a result of your situation, you may be referred for ongoing specialised support
- You may be referred to other services, if appropriate

It takes courage to talk openly about your situation – our specialist team members understand that and are ready to support you in any way they can.

Our Community Wellbeing specialists aren’t trauma counsellors – they’re bank staff specifically trained to support customers experiencing domestic and family violence and financial abuse situations. They’ll start by asking you a couple of questions, before letting you know which types of support we may be able to offer you.

If you’re in danger, please call the police on 000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing financial abuse, there are free services you can access.

For confidential information, counselling and support, we recommend calling 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. This is a free and confidential service that isn’t part of Commonwealth Bank. If you need an interpreter or translator, you can ask for one and the counsellor will make the arrangements.
Alternatively, you can call the telephone Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450, let them know your preferred language, and ask them to contact 1800RESPECT on your behalf on 1800 737 732. TIS National is available free of charge.

At CommBank, our purpose is to improve the financial wellbeing of our customers and communities. This includes those who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances.

Over the past few years, we’ve invested in initiatives to support Australians affected by domestic and family violence. And we’re now working with expert partners to expand our work on financial abuse.
What is financial abuse in a domestic and family violence situation?

Financial abuse is a serious form of domestic and family violence that occurs when an abuser uses money as a means to gain power and to control their partner or family member. It occurs in many different forms and can affect anyone.
Why it matters

Financial abuse is one of the most powerful ways an abuser can keep their partner or family member trapped in an abusive relationship, and may also impact on that person’s ability to stay safe once they leave the relationship.