Our First Nations Reach program aims to:

    • Improve access to banking services in remote communities
    • Increase awareness of our Indigenous Customer Assistance Line (ICAL)
    • Build confidence among First Nations customers in using digital banking


    Every 3 months, our CommBank representatives spend 1 to 3 business days in remote First Nations communities to provide banking assistance. This includes:

    • Opening business and personal accounts
    • Restoring access to banking services
    • Resolving identification issues
    • Lodging fraud enquiries
    • Supporting customers with deceased estates related enquiries while respecting Sorry Business traditions
    • Providing banking education

    Please note cash services and credit products aren’t available during community visits.  

Where we go

  • We go where the majority of our First Nations customers are. Initially, we’ve identified 4 regions to introduce our program between 2024 and 2028. Once we start servicing a community we usually visit on a quarterly1 basis.

    During community visits, we work from a central location and - where possible - arrange free transport to bring residents to us from nearby communities.

    1 Please note that due to seasonal patterns our schedule may vary in some communities.

Communities covered in 2025

Australia map showing numbered locations

1. Palm Island
2. Doomadgee
3. Gununa
4. Kowanyama
5. Pormpurraw
6. Wurrumiyanga 
7. Ardyaloon1
8. Beagle Bay
9. Bidyadanga

10. Fitzroy Crossing2 
11. Halls Creek 
12. Warmun
13. Ampilatwatja 
14. Alparra3
15. Hermannsburg 
16. Santa Teresa
17. Indulkana 
18. Mimili

1 with free transport from Lombadina and Djarindjin
2 with free transport from Yakanarra, Wangkatjungka, Yungngora, Bayulu, Muludja and Yiyili
3 with free transport from Northern, Southern and Central Homelands

Scheduled visits

Queensland

Location
Visit dates
Operating hours
Premises
Palm Island
10 - 12  Mar
16 - 18 Jun
8 - 10 Sep
1 - 3 Dec
Mon-Tue: 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
Wed: 9am-1pm 
(QLD time)
Youth Office, Bwgcolman House
Gununa 
25 - 26 Mar
10 - 11 Jun
16 - 17 Sep
9 - 10 Dec
Tue: 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
Wed: 9am-12 & 1-2.30pm
(QLD time)
54 Reasons Children and Family Centre
Doomadgee
27 - 28 Mar
12 - 13 Jun
18 - 19 Sep
11 - 12 Dec
Thu: 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
Fri: 9am-12pm & 12.30-3pm
(NT time)
54 Reasons Office
Kowanyama
27 - 29 May
5 - 7 Aug
28 - 30 Oct
Tues: 12pm - 4pm
Wed - 9am-12pm & 1pm - 4pm
Thur: 9am-12 & 1-3pm 
(QLD time)
Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council Multi Purpose Centre (MPC)
Pormpurraaw
20 - 22 May
8 - 10 July
14 - 16 Oct
Tue & Wed: 9am to 12pm & 1pm to 5pm 
Thu: 9am - 2pm
(QLD time)
Pormpuraaw Council Office

Western Australia

Location
Visit dates
Operating hours
Premises
Fitzroy Crossing
1 - 3 Apr
15 - 17 Jul
16 - 18 Sep
11 - 13 Nov
Tue-Wed: 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm
Thu: 9-12pm
(WA time)
Karrayili Centre
Halls Creek 
8-10 Apr
24-26 Jun
19-21 Aug
21-23 Oct
Tue-Thu: 9-12pm & 1-4pm
(WA time)
Halls Creek Community Resource Centre
Warmun
28 Apr & 2 May
23 & 27 Jun
18 & 22 Aug
24 & 28 Nov
Mon & Fri: 10am – 2pm
(WA time)
Warmun Council Office
Bidyadanga
15 Apr
28 Jul
23 Sep
4-Nov
Thu: 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm
(WA time)
Community Resource Centre
Ardyaloon
16 Apr
29 Jul
24 Sep
5 Nov
Tue: 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm
(WA time)
Community Resource Centre
Beagle Bay
17 Apr
30 Jul
25 Sep
6 Nov
Wed: 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm
(WA time)
KRCIC Office

South Australia

Location
Visit dates
Operating hours
Premises
Indulkana
27 Feb
19-20 May
1-2 Sep
10-11 Nov
Mon-Tue: 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
(SA time)
PY-Ku Indulkana Office
Mimili
24-26 Feb
21-22 May
3-4 Sep
12-13 Nov
Wed-Thu: 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
(SA time)
PY-Ku Mimili Office

Northern Territory

Location
Visit dates
Operating hours
Premises
Ampilatwatja
17 - 18 Mar
5 - 6 May
21 - 22 Jul
13 - 14 Oct
Tue: 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
(NT time)
Barkly Council Office
Arlparra
19 - 20 Mar
7 - 8 May 
23 - 24 Jul
15 - 16 Oct
Wed-Thu: 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
(NT time)
Urapuntja Aboriginal Corporation Office
Santa Teresa
4 Mar
27 May
5 Aug
28 Oct
Tues: 9am-4pm
(NT time)
MacDonnell Council meeting room, Lot 150
Hermannsburg
5 Mar
28 May
6 Aug
29 Oct
Wed: 9am-4pm
(NT time)
MacDonnell Council meeting room, Lot 58a
Wurrumiyanga
24 - 27 Feb
Further visits TBC
Mon-Wed: 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm
Thu: 9am-12pm
(NT time)
Wurrumiyanga Board Room

These dates may change if there are severe weather conditions or other unforeseen events, so follow your community boards and digital community platforms for the most up-to-date information.

“CommBank's First Nations Reach program is more than remote banking assistance.

It's an educational initiative that helps remote communities feel more confident using self-service options.”

Brooke Scott – Senior Manager Indigenous Affairs

Interested in participating in the First Nations Reach program?

  • Join our program

    If your community is in one of the 4 regions we’re visiting, and you’re interested in joining the program, please contact: firstnationsreach@cba.com.au.

    If your community is outside the CommBank First Nations Reach program areas, please email the Australian Banking Association to request service arrangements.

  • Have suggestions or feedback for us?

    If you have questions or would like to submit feedback, contact us at: firstnationsreach@cba.com.au.

Get support now

  • No matter how remote your location in Australia, our Indigenous Customer Assistance Line (ICAL) is available to help you on 1800 700 682, then press option 1 for ICAL Team.

    If you're a registered financial counsellor, a financial capability worker or a community service organisation acting on behalf of customers, press option 4 or email ical@cba.com.au.

    We’re open from Monday – Friday 9am – 8pm (Sydney/Melbourne time), and on Saturdays 8am – 2pm (Sydney/Melbourne time).

    If you’re experiencing financial difficulty:

    Discover how we can help if you're experiencing financial hardship

  • If you’re experiencing financial abuse (including from your family), or you’re a victim of domestic violence, help is available. Reach out to our Next Chapter team on 1800 222 387 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday (Sydney/Melbourne time), excluding public holidays. If it’s difficult for you to chat over the phone, CommBank customers can contact the Next Chapter Team through online messaging in the CommBank app.

Helpful resources

  • Basic banking guides

    1. Banking in Australia (PDF)
      This Easy English book is about banking in Australia.
    2. Basic guide to banking (PDF)
      This factsheet provides information on how to open a bank account and the different types of accounts available.
    3. Basics of investing factsheet (PDF)
      This My Money Dream factsheet covers the types of investments available, when to invest, and the risks associated with investing.
  • Banking from remote communities

    1. How to use NetBank (PDF)
      This Easy English book is about how to use NetBank. NetBank is a website to bank online.
    2. How to use the CommBank app (PDF)
      This Easy English book is about the CommBank app. The CommBank app lets you bank on your phone.
    3. Bank@Post services (PDF)
      This Easy English guide from the Australian Banking Association will help you understand what banking services are available from Bank@Post outlets. 
  • Financial wellbeing support

    1. Scams and fraud (PDF)
      This Easy English book is about scams and fraud. Scams and fraud are when someone tries to trick you to give away your money or personal details.
    2. Scams and fraud factsheet (PDF)
      This My Money Dream factsheet provides tips on how to spot scams and keep your money safe.
    3. Financial abuse (PDF)
      This Easy English book is about financial abuse. Financial abuse means someone uses your money when you do not want them to.
    4. Financial abuse factsheet (PDF)
      This My Money Dream factsheet outlines how to recognise the signs of financial abuse and seek help.
    5. Financial abuse – Shared bank accounts (PDF)
      This Easy English book is about shared bank accounts and financial abuse. Financial abuse means someone uses your money when you do not want them to.
    6. Elder Financial abuse (PDF)
      This Easy English book is about elder financial abuse. Elder financial abuse is financial abuse that happens to older people. Financial abuse means someone uses your money when you do not want them to.
    7. Support services (PDF)
      This Easy English book is about Commonwealth Bank support services.
    8. Financial difficulty (PDF)
      This Easy English book tells you where to get help for financial difficulty. Financial difficulty means money problems.
    9. Help from an interpreter (PDF)
      This Easy English book is about how to get help from an interpreter. An interpreter is a person who can speak your language and help you understand us.
    10. Customer complaint guide (PDF)
      This Easy English book is about what to do if you have a complaint. A complaint is when you are not happy about the bank’s products or the service you receive and tell us the reason why.

Keen to find out more? 

Find out more about how CommBank is supporting First Nations Australians.

Take me there

Things you should know

  • The First Nations Reach Program is an important part of CommBank’s ongoing support for Regional and Remote Australia.

    The target market for these products will be found within the product’s Target Market Determination, available here.

    This information has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should, before acting on the advice, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances. Terms and conditions for our products and services are available on our website or by contacting us and should be considered before making any decision. Fees and charges may apply. View our Financial Services Guide (PDF).

    CommBank welcomes everyone living in remote First Nations communities to this service.