Your safety is our priority. If you’re not feeling safe, please call 000.

Worried about your finances because of domestic violence or coercive control?

The Next Chapter Team can provide you with free and confidential support by connecting you to the right specialist services to help rebuild your financial independence. This support is available to people of all genders and sexualities.

These services can include:

  1. Crisis support services
  2. Services to help you get back on your feet, such as Fitted For Work
  3. Services to help develop your skills and confidence around your financial goals, such as the Good Shepherd Financial Independence Hub

Reach out to the Next Chapter Team

Call 1800 222 387

Contact the Next Chapter Team on 1800 222 387, Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm (Sydney/Melbourne time), excluding public holidays. An interpreter can be arranged to assist you. 

If it’s difficult to chat over the phone, CommBank customers can contact the Next Chapter Team through online chat (Ceba) in the CommBank app.

The Good Shepherd Financial Independence Hub

Once out of immediate crisis, regaining confidence and independence with your money may often seem overwhelming. That’s why we’ve partnered with Good Shepherd to deliver the Financial Independence Hub.

This service provides free specialist one-on-one conversations about money. Working alongside a financial coach, this service can help you with:

  • Sorting through bills and debt
  • Building savings to help plan for your future
  • Getting referrals to additional support services

You can contact the Financial Independence Hub directly on 1300 050 150, Monday to Friday, 7am-7pm (Sydney/Melbourne time), excluding public holidays. If you’re unsure, reach out to the Next Chapter Team who can help find the right specialist services for you.

For further information about eligibility, visit the Good Shepherd Financial Independence Hub online.

Identifying the signs of financial abuse

Financial abuse is one of the most common forms of domestic and family violence. It is often difficult to recognise.

Financial abuse occurs when someone uses money or resources to control their partner. It often begins in small and subtle ways and worsens over time.

Some of the many signs of financial abuse may include:

  • Being denied money for basic expenses
  • Being forced into taking out debts
  • Being asked to show receipts and justify all spending
  • Being refused access to a personal or joint bank account
  • Not being allowed to work or having working hours controlled by a partner

More about financial abuse (PDF)

Understanding technology facilitated abuse

  • Technology facilitated abuse is a form of domestic and family violence that can have serious impacts on the safety and wellbeing of victim-survivors. It includes a range of tactics used to control, frighten, harass or humiliate someone using technology.

    Some examples of technology facilitated abuse include monitoring a person’s online activity, using tracking devices, sending abusive texts or social media messages to stalk, impersonate, threaten or humiliate a person. Being constantly harassed and monitored can, like any other form of abuse, leave you feeling powerless and justifiably fearful for your safety.

    Technology Facilitated Abuse (PDF)

Taking action on abuse in transaction descriptions  

  • CommBank has taken a stand to ensure our technology isn’t being used to perpetrate technology-facilitated abuse.

    One form this abuse can take is people misusing banking transaction fields to send abusive messages via low-value transaction descriptions, with the sole purpose of causing distress/harm to the recipient. Sending abusive messages via our Commonwealth Bank digital platforms is a breach of the Electronic Banking Terms and Conditions, and action may be taken against the sender.

    If you’re receiving abusive messages through your banking platform, we can help. You can contact the CommBank Next Chapter team on 1800 222 387 8am-6pm, Monday – Friday, AEST, excluding public holidays. If you need an interpreter, you can ask for one and the CommBank Next Chapter team will make the arrangements. If it’s difficult to chat, CommBank customers can contact the Next Chapter team through online messaging in the CommBank app – simply go to the Help section in the app, and tap ‘Message us’. 

    Abusive transaction descriptions (PDF)

FAQs

It takes courage to talk openly about your situation.

Our specialists in the Next Chapter Team understand that and are ready to support you, having been specifically trained to support customers experiencing domestic and family violence and financial abuse situations.

They’ll start by asking you a couple of questions about yourself and your requirements, before letting you know which types of support we may be able to offer you.

This is a free and confidential service.

At CommBank, our purpose is to create a brighter future for all.

Domestic and family violence is a widespread issue in Australia that has long-term impacts on individuals, families and the community. Alongside our partners, we believe that we can and should make a substantial contribution to addressing it.

So, in 2020, we launched CommBank Next Chapter, our commitment to ensuring anyone who is financially controlled, tracked or abused can access the support they need – no matter who they bank with.  

Anyone in Australia can contact the Next Chapter Team if they have experienced any kind of financial abuse.

If you’re an overseas customer looking to secure your banking, please call +612 9999 3283. When calling from overseas using your mobile, standard roaming charges may apply. To avoid roaming charges, call the international operator in the country you’re in from a land line and provide them our reverse charges number +61 2 9999 3283.

Financial abuse can often be difficult to identify, but if any of the signs mentioned above resonate with you, contact the Next Chapter Team on 1800 222 387, Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm, (Sydney/Melbourne time), excluding public holidays within Australia.

If you are a CommBank customer, you can contact the Next Chapter Team via Ceba in the CommBank app. 

If you are an overseas customer looking to secure your banking please call +612 9999 3283. When calling from overseas using your mobile, standard roaming charges may apply. To avoid roaming charges, call the international operator in the country you’re in from a land line and provide them our reverse charges number +61 2 9999 3283.

A specialist from the Next Chapter Team can provide free and confidential support for your journey to financial recovery.

Our Partners

Call the Next Chapter Team on 1800 222 387 to learn more and get connected to these services.

Good Shepherd Financial Independence Hub
Thriving Communities Partnership | one stop one story hub
fitted for work

Learn more about Next Chapter

Resources for service providers

Alongside community experts, such as UNSW and WESNET, we’ve developed learning resources about financial abuse. 

Our commitment

At CommBank, we believe in a brighter future for all. That’s why we have CommBank Next Chapter – a bank-wide commitment to help end financial abuse. 

Our role and responsibility

CommBank has taken action to address domestic and family violence for our employees, our customers and community. 

Your safety is our priority

  • In an emergency, or if you’re not feeling safe, always call 000

    For confidential information, counselling and support, we recommend calling 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or texting 0458 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 arrangements. 

    If you’re worried about your own behaviour, there is free and confidential support available. Call Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or chat online at the No to Violence website.