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Banking / Indigenous banking / First Nations Reach Program

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 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 Sorry Business related enquiries
    • 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, and we’ll be visiting communities in these regions between 2024 and 2026.

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

Communities covered in 2024

  1. Palm Island
  2. Gununa  
  3. Doomadgee
  4. Fitzroy Crossing1 
  5. Halls Creek
  6. Warmun
  7. Ardyaloon2 
  8. Beagle Bay
  9. Bidyadanga
  10. Indulkana
  11. Mimili
  12. Ampilatwatja
  13. Arlparra3
  14. Kowanyama

(1) with free buses from Yakanarra, Wangkatjungka, Yungngora, Bayulu, Joy Springs and Muludja (2) with free buses from Lombadina and Djarindjin (3) with free buses from Northern, Southern and Central Homelands

Map of Australia

Scheduled visits

Location
Visit dates
Operating hours
Premises
Palm Island
11-13 Mar
17-19 Jun
9-11 Sep
25-27 Nov
Mon-Tue: 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
Wed: 9am-1pm 
(QLD time)
Youth Office, Bwgcolman House
Fitzroy Crossing
16-18 Apr 
2-4 Jul
3-5 Sep
12-14 Nov
Tue-Wed: 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm
Thu: 9-12pm
(WA time)
Karrayili Centre
Gununa 
30 Apr-1 May 
11-12 Jun 
17-18 Sep
3-4 Dec
Tue: 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
Wed: 9am-12 & 1-2.30pm
(QLD time)
54 Reasons Children and Family Centre
Doomadgee
2 May
13-14 Jun
19-20 Sep
5-6 Dec
Thu: 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
Fri: 9am-12pm & 12.30-3pm
(NT time)
54 Reasons Office
Mimili
22-23 Apr
22-23 Jul
30 Sep – 1 Oct
Mon-Tue: 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
(QLD time)
PY-Ku Mimili Office
Indulkana
24-25 Apr
24-25 Jul
2-3 Oct
Wed-Thu: 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
(NT time)
PY-Ku Indulkana Office
Halls Creek
28-30 May 
20-22 Aug
19-21 Nov 
Tue-Thu: 9-12pm & 1-4pm
(WA time)
Halls Creek Community Resource Centre
Warmun
19 Aug
18 & 22 Nov 
Mon & Fri: 10am – 2pm
(WA time)
Warmun Council Office
Ampilatwatja
24-25 Jun
21-22 Oct
Tue: 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
(NT time)
Barkly Council Office
Arlparra
26-27 Jun
23-24 Oct
Wed-Thu: 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
(NT time)
Urapuntja Aboriginal Corporation Office
Ardyaloon
16 Jul
15 Oct
Tue: 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm
(WA time)
Community Resource Centre
Beagle Bay
17 Jul
16 Oct
Wed: 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm
(WA time)
KRCIC Office
Bidyadanga
18 Jul
17 Oct
Thu: 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm
(WA time)
Community Resource Centre
Kowanyama
8-10 Oct
10-12 Dec
Tues: 12pm - 4pm
Wed - 9am-12pm & 1pm - 4pm
Thur: 9am-12 & 1-3pm 
(QLD time)
Kowanyama Community Hall

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.

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Things you should know

  • The First Nations Reach Program is funded until June 2026 and will be reviewed at that time.

    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.