We're here to support you
It's a difficult, uncertain time for not-for-profits and clubs.
Here you will find the support we can offer you.
To talk about your situation, contact our not-for-profit specialists on 1300 272 265 or your local branch.
This page is updated regularly so keep visiting. View our latest updates for other important information.
Bendigo Bank assistance packages
Small Business Relief Package
The Small Business Relief Package is now available to not-for-profit customers. This package includes loan relief for up to six months.
Contact your Community Sector Banking business manager or call 1300 272 265 for more information and to check your eligibility.
Financial assistance package
We continue to offer our normal financial assistance package to not-for-profit customers on a case-by-case basis. This includes:
- For Home and Business Loans, deferred principal and interest repayments for six months^ or term extensions
- Fees waived to restructure or consolidate loans
- Other fees waived or deferred
- Waive merchant terminal rental fee for three months
- No interest rate reduction for early withdrawals on term deposits
Business loan interest rate cut
From 10 April, business loan variable reference rates reduced by 1.00% p.a. for residentially secured business loans and 0.75% p.a. for non-residential and unsecured.
Small business fixed rates were also cut by up to 0.82% p.a. depending on the term and security of the loan. This cut was effective from 3 April 2020.
Contact your Community Sector Banking business manager or call 1300 272 265 for more information and to check your eligibility.
Bendigo Bank Business policies issued by IAG (CGU and WFI) policies
SME Insurance Policy Holders - Community Focus
We want to make sure not-for-profit customers are looked after in this unprecedented time and have put the following provisions in place for our CGU and WFI SME policy holders:
- Deferred premium payments for up to six months for not-for-profit organisations experiencing financial hardship.
- Refunds on the unused proportion of premiums for not-for-profits who cancel their insurance. No administration or cancellation fees will apply.
- Not-for-profit organisations will maintain full insurance cover with no change to premiums for closing premises due to the impact of COVID-19.
If you have any questions, please contact the Bendigo Insurance Team on 1300 132 983
Federal government assistance
The Federal Government is helping not-for-profits with a range of measures.
The government’s stimulus will assist around 30,000 not-for-profits manage cashflow challenges and help organisations retain their employees. This is joined by various state-based payroll tax relief initiatives.
In addition, the government has announced support of $74 million to boost mental health services, and $150 million to fund domestic abuse support.
Business Stimulus Package
The Federal Government is helping with a stimulus package for businesses. Please visit the Australian Government’s Treasury website to find out the latest information or speak with your accountant to find out if you qualify.
JobKeeper payment
Announced Monday 30 March, businesses impacted by COVID-19 will receive a fortnightly wage subsidy of $1,500 per employee as part of a Federal Government bid to prevent millions of people from losing their jobs to the coronavirus pandemic.
Register your interest for the subsidy via the ATO website.
For a detailed fact sheet including eligibility criteria, visit the Australian Government's Treasury website.
Some not-for-profit customers may also be eligible for credit, for example, an extension to their overdraft, which can offer cashflow to pay staff, while they wait for the JobKeeper program to make the first payments. Each customer will be assessed on a case by case basis to determine the assistance that may be appropriate to their circumstances.
Contact your Community Sector Banking business manager or call 1300 272 265 for more information and to check your eligibility.
Loan repayments & tax liabilities
Managing cash flow during this pandemic is critical.
Bendigo Bank is part of an industry-wide effort to help businesses by offering a Small Business Relief Package. This includes support for not-for-profits and community organisations.
If you’re experiencing or anticipating cash flow issues, act now. Contact your Community Sector Banking business manager, phone 1300 272 265 or visit your local branch.
SME Guarantee Scheme
The Government has established the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This includes not-for-profit organisations.
For further details on the scheme visit the Australian Government's Treasury website.
In response, we have developed the Business Support Loan.
Register your interest by contacting your Community Sector Banking business manager or our team on 1300 272 265.
More support information from the Australian Government
Visit Business.gov.au or call their support line 13 28 26.
Visit the FairWork website for information on how ways of working are changing.
Visit the Australian Government's Treasury website and the Australian Government website for more information on the Government's response to Coronavirus. This includes individual State and Territory Government information.
Visit Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) for advice on charities affected by COVID-19.
^ Applicable to community and not-for-profit organisations, from 30 March any not-for-profit customer with facilities up to $10 million can defer principal and interest repayments for six months. Please note if customers choose to defer repayments, interest will be capitalised, meaning interest and fees will be added to your loan balance with either the term of the loan extended, or payments increased after the deferral period.
To qualify, customers must confirm their organisation has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and be no more than 90 days in arrears at the date of the application. The package is also available to commercial property landlords who have provided assurance to the bank they will not take any action against their tenants for the repayment relief period.
For not-for-profit customers with facilities above $10 million, relief will continue to be considered on a case by case basis
