We understand that at times, our customers may experience financial difficulty and require financial assistance.

If you're experiencing financial difficulty, and can’t meet your regular repayments or other financial obligations, please get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can work together to find the right solution for you.

There are many reasons you may require financial assistance including:

  • unemployment or reduction in income
  • serious illness or injury
  • family and domestic violence
  • loss of a family member
  • rising cost of living or other unexpected expenses
  • natural disasters (e.g. bushfire or floods)
  • a relationship breakdown
  • business downturn.

We understand everyone’s situation is different and that’s why we have a range of support options that can be tailored to meet your needs. This may include:

  • payment arrangements, including deferring or reducing your repayments for a certain period
  • assistance with missed repayments and flexible options to help you make your repayments

How to apply

Prepare to apply

To apply for financial assistance please review our supporting guide (below), so you know what to expect and what information is required to complete your application.

If you’re a business banking customer, please contact your relationship manager who will work with you to find a tailored solution for you.

If you’re an authorised third-party acting on behalf of a customer or business, please call us on the numbers listed below.

Complete the application form

The online form takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. Give yourself enough time to complete the form in a single session, as you won’t be able to save progress and return later.

The information you provide on the form will help us to understand your situation and develop a tailored solution to meet your needs. Make sure you complete the form with all required and relevant details as incorrect completion of the form may result in delays.

What happens next

Our team will assess your application and will contact you within 21 calendar days to advise the outcome of your application or to request additional information.

If we need any additional information from you, you’ll need to provide this within 21 calendar days of the request. If this information isn’t provided within this timeframe, your application will be declined because you haven’t provided the documents required for us to assess your request.

What information is required to complete the application form?

We’ll need information about your financial position, including your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. You’ll also need to provide the reason for your application and how you plan to get back on track with your repayments.

What supporting documents are required when applying for assistance?

Depending on your circumstances and your financial position, supporting documents will be required to assess your application. These may include:

Reason for financial difficultySupporting document required:
Reduced income or increased cost of living
  • computer generated payslips showing reduced income or
  • a letter from your employer or accountant explaining the reduction in income or
  • most recent financial year’s ‘Tax Ready’ ATO Income statement or
  • centrelink statement

For self-employed income:

  • Year-to-date Business Activity Statements OR
  • Year-to-date management accounts including your Profit and Loss
Unemployment
  • a separation certificate, letter of termination from your employer, or Centrelink statements 
Serious illness or injury
  • a letter from your doctor or specialist outlining your illness and recovery time
  • if injured, a letter from your insurer, compensation documents or work cover documents
Loss of a family member
  • an agent will contact you for any supporting documents required 
Assistance required while you sell your property
  • if the property is sold – the front page of the contract of sale and any special conditions
  • if not yet sold – a copy of the agency agreement and marketing campaign
Unexpected expenses
  • satisfactory evidence of your unexpected expenses or liability
Other reasons
  • an agent will contact you for any supporting documents required

What to expect in the application process?

Once you’ve submitted your application, our team will review the completed statement of financial position and supporting documents. We’ll contact you within 21 calendar days of your application to let you know the outcome or to request additional information to support your application (if required).

While your application for financial assistance is being assessed, collections activity will cease. Where your application is approved, further collection action will cease for the assistance period we provide you.

You can elect to pause your direct debits while we assess your application by selecting ‘yes’ to this question on the application form. 

If your application is approved, we’ll first need to contact you via phone to discuss the proposed arrangement and get your verbal agreement before the arrangement commences. If we can’t reach you within the required timeframes, we will need to decline the application.

If your application is declined, we’ll notify you of the outcome of your application, outlining the reasons for this decision and what next options may be available to you.

What happens to my credit reporting if I apply for financial assistance?

The credit reporting system includes financial hardship information. Your credit report includes your repayment history for credit accounts like credit cards, home loans, personal loans and car loans.

When a financial hardship arrangement relating to any of these accounts is agreed, your credit report may show financial hardship information alongside repayment history information, indicating that a financial hardship arrangement has been entered into and, if applicable, is in place for each month that the arrangement is in place. If your application is approved, we’ll contact you before the arrangement commences to discuss potential impacts to your credit report.

For more information about Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR) and what a financial hardship arrangemen means for your credit report visit https://www.macquarie.com.au/comprehensive-credit-reporting.html or visit the Credit Smart website.

What if I have a joint account and I’m experiencing financial difficulty?

If you have a joint account and you’re experiencing financial difficulty, we can assist you. If you ask us to, we can do so without involving the other joint account holders initially.

What other support is available for managing my loan and repayments?

Visit our Help Centre and select your product for comprehensive guides on managing your loan, including managing repayments and interest rate changes.

If you’ve missed a repayment and wish to speak to our specialist team about entering into a payment arrangement or if you require support while you sell your property or car, you can speak with a collections representative on the numbers listed at the bottom of this page. 

We’ve also provided some information on external support services below. 

What if I’m not happy with the outcome of the assessment?

Providing you with the best customer experience is our priority and your feedback is important to us. If you’re not happy with any part of the financial assistance process, including the decision, please contact us on the numbers below. 

For more information about our feedback and complaints process, please visit our feedback and complaints page.

If you’re still not happy with this outcome, you can lodge a complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). AFCA is an independent external dispute resolution scheme that is free for you to use. You can visit the AFCA website to learn more.

Government assistance

If you’ve been affected by the recent floods, you may also be eligible for government assistance. For more on this, you can visit the below websites:

Financial assistance

If you're in need of extra support, we have compiled a list of government and community services that you can contact below.

Australian Banking Association - Financial Assistance Hub

A guide designed to help you understand the options that may be available if you’re struggling financially.

ASIC Moneysmart

Provides tools, support and educational resources to improve financial capabilities and health. See the below links for specific help:

National Debt Helpline

Helps people who are experiencing financial difficulty. It’s available nationally and it’s a free, independent and confidential service.

Centrelink - Services Australia

Provides payments, social work counselling and third-party referrals and crisis payments.

Salvation Army - Moneycare

Provides assistance with financial coaching, financial counselling and no-interest loans.

Beyond Blue - Financial and Mental Wellbeing

Provides information and support for financial wellbeing and mental health.

Ask Izzy

Provides a directory of services for financial, legal and wellbeing support specific to the user’s location.

Services Australia - Crisis Payment

Provides access to a one-off payment if you have experienced an extreme circumstance and are in severe financial hardship.

ASIC Moneysmart - Manage the cost of living

Provides access to information on practical ways to manage cots and stay on top of bills.

Department of Social Services - Grants Service Directory

Provides access to support for immediate financial crisis situations.

Relationships, family and domestic violence support

Outlined below are some organisations that you might like to reach out to for additional support.

Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline

Victims Services has a dedicated contact line for Aboriginal victims of crime who would like information on victims rights, how to access counselling and financial assistance. 

1800 RESPECT

A family violence and sexual assault counselling line.

Relationships Australia

Provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities.

Services Australia - family and domestic violence

Provides information, resources and referrals to those affected by family and domestic violence.

MensLine

Provides online and over the phone counselling services the men with emotional health and relationship concerns.

Mens' Referral Service

Provides counselling, information and referrals for men impacted by family violence. Also, a central point for contact for men who want to talk about their use of violence and gain support to stop it. Counsellors have specialist training in responding to the needs for the LGBTIQ community.

The Lookout

Provides information, evidence-based resources and services to help professionals respond to family violence.

Tech Safety

Provides resources and support on technology, privacy and safety in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and violence against women.

Griefline

Provides free counselling services and support to anyone experiencing grief, loss and/or trauma Australia wide.

Mental health support and suicide prevention

Outlined below are some organisations that you might like to reach out to for additional support.

If life is in danger call 000 immediately.

Carers Australia + Phone 1800 422 737

Carers Australia offers counselling, peer support and respite services for carers and their families.

Lifeline

A national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Beyond Blue + Phone 1300 22 4636

Over the phone, web and email support to people experiencing anxiety and depression.

Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service

Provides online and over the phone counselling services for children and young adults.

 

Addiction

Outlined below are some organisations that you might like to reach out to for additional support.

Counselling Online - drugs and alcohol support

Provides free online counselling for individuals affected by alcohol or drugs or anyone concerned with use by a family member or friend.

Gambling Help Online

Provides free online counselling and assessment tools for individuals affected by gambling.

Mental health

Beyond Blue

Over the phone, web and email support to people experiencing anxiety and depression.

Black Dog Institute

Provides information on mental health services, education and research.

Butterfly Foundation

Support for eating disorders and body image issues.

Cost of living

We know Australians are experiencing significant rises in the cost of living - we have compiled a list of resources for further information.

Beyond Blue - Financial Wellbeing

Provides information around financial wellbeing and how it affects mental health and wellbeing.

ASIC Moneysmart – Manage the cost of living

Help Australians take control of their money with free tools, tips and guidance.

Scams

Outlined below are some organisations that you might like to reach out to for additional support.

Scamwatch

Provides information and assistance related to scams.

ID Care

Provides online support related to identity theft and cyber security.

Safe & Savvy - A guide to help older people avoid abuse, scams and fraud

Guide for avoiding abuse, scams and fraud for older or vulnerable clients.

WA Scamnet

Provides advice on scams and tips for securing personal information, as well as access to counselling services.

Bereavement

Griefline

Provides free counselling services and support to anyone experiencing grief, loss and/or trauma Australia wide.


Feel the Magic

Provides education and support services to assist children and families currently experiencing grief and/or loss.

Small business support

Outlined below are some organisations that you might like to reach out to for additional support.

Partners in Wellbeing

Free, confidential, one on one support to improve your financial, business and emotional wellbeing for Victorian small businesses.

Business.gov.au - support for business in Australia

Provides information, grants, services and support for small businesses.

Small business debt helpline

Free service for small business owners in financial difficulty.

Beyond Blue - NewAccess for Small Business Owners

Free mental health coaching program that offers flexible phone and video call support options for small business owners to help manage stress and improve their mental wellbeing.

Natural disasters

Outlined below are some organisations that you might like to reach out to for additional support.

Disaster Assist

Provides information on current disasters and support for those affected.

Australian Red Cross + Phone 1800 733 276

Provides a range of community services and emergency help.

Salvation Army

Provides a range of spiritual and social support services to those in need.

Ask Izzy

Provides a directory of services for financial and wellbeing support specific to the user’s location.

LGBTIQ support services

Emergency help

Lifeline + Phone 13 11 14

A national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service + Phone 1800 55 1800

Provides online and over the phone counselling services for children and young adults.

National services

QLife

Provides free telephone and web-based counselling, referrals and support groups for LGBTIQ+ people and their families.

Support for older clients

Compass

Provides resources and information for those experiencing or witnessing elder abuse.

Safe & Savvy

Guide for avoiding abuse, scams and fraud for older or clients experiencing vulnerability.

Elder Abuse Helpline + Phone 1800 353 374

Provides information and assistance with those affected by elder abuse.

Seniors Rights Service

A community legal centre that provides advocacy, legal advice and education for older people.

Dementia Australia | National Dementia Helpline

Provides over the phone and online information and support services to those affected by dementia.

Support for young people

Headspace

Provides free online support and counselling to young people aged 12-25 and their families and friends.

Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service + Phone 1800 55 1800

Provides online and over the phone counselling services for children and young adults aged 5-25.

Support for people living with a disability

Askizzy disability advocacy finder

Provides contact details and locations of disability advocacy agencies in your area.

Australian Guardianship and Administration Council

Provides support to individuals with disabilities that impair their capacity to make decisions.

Blue knot - National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma

Provides short-term phone counselling support and referrals for people living with a disability or experienced trauma.

Ask Izzy

Provides contact details and locations of disability advocacy agencies in your area.

Being alert and staying safe

With a rise in fraud attempts and scams across Australia, it’s more important than ever to remain vigilant around when, what and who you interact with online.

With more people spending more time online, this presents new opportunities for fraudsters to create email and phishing scams designed to capture personal information and ultimately steal people's money. Scammers may target individuals and businesses through email or SMS, trying to entice people to click harmful links or downloads.

If you receive an unexpected SMS or email, do not click on any links as they may redirect you to a fake site designed to capture your personal credentials. You can report anything unusual by emailing scams@macquarie.com.

Contact us

For new financial assistance requests, please apply online. If you need help, you can connect with us via live chat through Macquarie Online Banking and the Macquarie Mobile Banking app. Or you can call us on 02 8550 5686, (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Sydney time).

To discuss missed repayments or payment arrangements, please contact our collections team via live chat through Macquarie Online Banking and the Macquarie Mobile Banking app. Or you can call us on 02 8550 5686, (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Sydney time).

Additional information

This information is a general description of the Macquarie Group only. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of it having regard to your particular objectives, financial situation and needs and seek advice. No information set out above constitutes advice, an advertisement, an invitation, a confirmation, an offer or a solicitation, to buy or sell any security or other financial, credit or lending product or to engage in any investment activity, or an offer of any banking or financial service. Some products and/or services mentioned on this website may not be suitable for you and may not be available in all jurisdictions. All securities and financial products or instrument transactions involve risks. Past performance of any product described on this site is not a reliable indication of future performance.