Helping Australians in times of need

Our disaster relief package is available for those affected by the recent bushfires and going through financial hardship as a result.

If you’re affected, call us – we can spend time understanding your circumstances and discuss options for how we can help.

• For banking or home loans: call 13 30 30
• For super, insurance and pensions: call 131 267

We’re also offering financial advice at no cost, to those who are significantly affected. Find out more

Financial hardship refers to a lack of income or money to pay for your needs and ongoing living costs – in this case, as a result of the Australian bushfire crisis. It includes things like:

• Loss of property
• Inability to earn a living (eg if you or your partner’s workplace or capacity to earn money is affected)
• Lack of access to cash to pay bills and living expenses
• Inability to meet loan repayments
• Inability to meet insurance payments

If you’re affected by the bushfires and finding it hard to cope financially, we’re here to help.

Our help isn’t a one size fits all approach. We can tailor how to help you, depending on your circumstances. Some ways may include:

• Waiving certain fees for customers requiring urgent access to their funds (eg money in a term deposit)
• Reviewing your home loan and agreeing to interest only, or a postponement of loan repayments for a while
• Three-month waiver of insurance premiums
• Providing you with access to financial advice

Yes. Each state has assistance packages for those affected by the bushfires.

The link below provides information about each package and what you can do to apply for support.

Find out more

Financial, physical and emotional support to help with recovery is also available from:

• The Australian Red Cross
• The Salvation Army
• St Vincent de Paul
• Country Fire Authority (VIC)
• Assistance for bushfire affected communities (NSW)
• Disaster recovery assistance (SA)

If you’ve been affected by the bushfires, the most important thing to do is stay safe. Register your safety with the Red Cross (and/or find loved ones)

Then, depending on your circumstances, let the following people (outside of family and friends) know what’s going on:

• Your insurers
• Your banks and lenders
• Your employer
• Utility companies such as phone, gas and electricity
• Your children’s schools
• Post office (to hold your mail if required)
• Services Australia (Centrelink) on 180 22 66 (if you’re currently receiving government benefits or want to apply for support).
• Your financial adviser, if you have one.

They should have a plan for times like these and may be able to help you.

The department of the Prime Minister has also advised that mobile service centres will head into affected regions when it’s safe to do so. They will assist with all government payment services, including disaster payments. Find out more

Financial hardship from the bushfires isn’t restricted to losing property. It also includes a capacity to earn an income and/or pay bills. Or, perhaps you’re supporting a loved one who is affected by the bushfires, which has caused further financial burden on you.

Whatever your situation, help is available. If you’re affected, call us – we will spend time understanding your circumstances and discuss options for how we can help.

• For banking or home loans: call 13 30 30
• For super, insurance and pensions: call 131 267

We understand that, due to the fires, you may have lost or not have access to important documents. Our service teams are on hand to work through this situation with you.

• For banking or home loans: call 13 30 30
• For super, insurance and pensions: call 131 267

Being physically safe is only the beginning. Trauma caused by bushfires can have a lasting impact on your emotional health, so it’s important to get help.

If you, or any of your loved ones are struggling emotionally, please get help from your local GP, or call one of the numbers below.

National support networks include:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
• Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
• Kids Help Line: 1800 551 800
• Mensline Australia: 1300 78 99 78
• GriefLine: 1300 845 745

State support networks include:

• NSW: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Pages/bushfire-mental-health-support.aspx
• Victoria: https://www.vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal
• Queensland: http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/11/14/emotional-support-available-for-people-affected-by-bushfires
• South Australia: https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/protecting+public+health/bushfires
• Western Australia: https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/safetyinformation/fire/bushfire/BushfireManualsandGuides/DFES-Bushfire-After-the-fire-bushfire.pdf

Call us on 13 30 30. We’ll spend time understanding your circumstances and discuss how best we can help you access your funds.

There are some specific circumstances where the law allows you to draw on your super early, such as on compassionate grounds. Find out more.

If you have an AMP adviser, but can’t get in touch with them, call us on 13 30 30 and we can put you in touch.

If you don’t have an adviser, but need financial advice, we can help you find one near you.