Rising costs or changes in your personal circumstances may mean you find it hard to keep up with your repayments. We’re here to support you and can help manage your credit card or loan repayments with a tailored solution.
4 minute read
Log in
Financial hardship
What is financial hardship?
Financial hardship describes a situation in which you find it difficult to manage your debts and make repayments when they’re due. There are many reasons you might find yourself in this situation, including:
- Rising cost of living
- Unemployment or changes in income
- Serious illness or injury (PDF)
- The loss of a loved one
- Family and domestic violence
- Natural disasters
- Business downturns.
How do I apply for hardship assistance?
Our team is here to help. We’ve also got a bunch of other helpful resources below.
Financial Assist team
If you’re unable to meet your minimum monthly repayments or require ongoing financial assistance, we’re here to help. We can chat to you about ways to manage your credit card or loan repayments.
You can message us in the app or online banking – just ask for a Customer Assist Officer. We’re available via chat or phone 6am - 6pm AWST Monday to Friday.
In the app: From the home screen, tap ‘Contact us’ > ‘Message us now’.
In online banking: Click ‘Message us now’ on the right of the screen.
Phone: 1300 769 173
?
If you’re overseas, call +61 8 9481 8115 and choose option 1. Calls made overseas from landlines or mobile phones will be subject to international call rates.
Email: financial.assist@bankwest.com.au
Fax: 1300 552 839
Post:
Financial Assist
Post Office Box E237
Perth WA 6841.
Otherwise nominate a representative to act on your behalf and fill out a Third Party Request (PDF).
Financial Assist Represented team
If you’re a financial counsellor or are being represented by a financial counsellor or authorised representative, get in touch with our specialist team.
Phone: 1300 572 961 (option 3)
We’re available: 6am - 6pm AWST Monday to Friday
Email: financial.assist.represented@bankwest.com.au
You can also nominate a representative to act on your behalf and fill out a Third Party Request (PDF).
What will happen when you contact us
Contacting us should be your first step if you’re struggling to make your repayments due to unforeseen circumstances. Getting support as early as possible could take the pressure off and help you to manage your finances.
Your circumstances are unique and we assess each situation individually. Our Financial Assist team are dedicated to guiding you on the best approach for your current financial position. We offer appropriate solutions, such as payment plans, where possible.
Our approach
Everyone is affected differently. We may be able to assist you by:
- customising payment arrangements e.g. providing the option to defer or reduce repayments
- pausing fees and charges
- interest rate concessions on eligible personal loans and home loans
- switching to interest only repayment on home loans for a period of time.
Once you've applied for hardship assistance, we'll contact you within three business days. Please have the following information ready:
- how your situation has changed
- what income you are currently receiving
- what your expenses are (bills, rent, mortgage, transport, food, insurance, etc)
- how much you can currently afford to pay
- how and when you expect your situation to change.
Specialised assistance and support services
Employee assistance
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a work-based intervention that aims to improve the wellbeing of employees of a participating employer. Such programs provide preventative and proactive actions to identify and resolve issues that can impact on an employee, including financial hardship. Contact your employer to see if an EAP is available to you.
Early superannuation access
You may be eligible to access part of your superannuation early to cover specific expenses if:
- You're experiencing severe financial hardship
- You need to access your super on compassionate grounds
- You're unable to work due to a medical condition
- Your super is less than $200
- You're saving for your first home and meet eligibility criteria.
Hallmark Insurance
If you have insurance issued by Hallmark Insurance on your products, you might be covered if you find yourself in a situation where you’re unable to keep up with your bills.
More information
Contact Hallmark Insurance to help with your exiting policy.
Hallmark Insurance is part of the St Andrew’s Insurance Group.
Guidance for your debts
- National Debt Helpline – have simple guides on managing debt. You can also contact them directly or find a financial counsellor in your local area through their interactive map
- Doing It Tough? – has practical advice and guidance about managing your debts
- MoneySmart – tips and tools to help you make the most of your money.
Support around the clock
- beyondblue – a not-for-profit organisation that supports Australians suffering from depression, anxiety or other mental health issues
- Gambling Help Online – provides free support for anyone affected by gambling
- 1800RESPECT – a phone and online counselling service for people affected by sexual assault or domestic and family violence.
Overwhelmed but not in hardship just yet?
Our Early Customer Engagement team can help
If you’re behind on your repayments and are unable to make them up in one go, our Early Customer Engagement team can look into flexible options for your future payments. You can get in touch with us on 1300 787 144. ? If you’re overseas, call +61 8 9481 8115 and choose option 3. Calls made overseas from landlines or mobile phones will be subject to international call rates.
We’re available Monday to Friday, 6am - 6pm and Saturdays 8am - 2pm AWST.
About this article
We take care of all the BS (bank stuff) so you can access the knowledge you need to make informed decisions. When we write a guide or article, we take steps to make sure the information is relevant, accurate and most of all, helpful.
Keep reading
We’re here to help
Message us in the Bankwest App or online banking, or speak with someone from the team today.