We believe all Australians should have access to affordable and stable housing. We are taking action to help achieve this through our commitment to financial inclusion, reconciliation and partnering with like-minded community housing organisations.
Supporting affordable and stable housing
- We provided $2 million in long-term financing to not-for-profit housing provider National Affordable Housing (NAH). The financing will support more Victorian households to buy a home via the BuyAssist shared equity program, without needing to save for a deposit.
Building financial inclusion
- We launched our second Financial Inclusion Action Plan (FIAP) in June 2023, with more than 40 practical actions to improve the financial wellbeing of customers, team members and communities.
- We extended our CareRing pilot, enabling customers experiencing financial vulnerability to access free, year-round wrap-around support including financial counselling. 128 customers were referred in FY23, taking the total to 401 referrals since the pilot began in 2021.
Walking the path towards reconciliation
- We completed all actions from our inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) including: Introducing cultural awareness training, with 582 team members completing training with Evolve Communities. Installing Acknowledgement of Country plaques in all our branches to recognise the Traditional Owners. Partnering with Clontarf Foundation and Stars Foundation to support the education of First Nations students.
- We provided funding to help support the Business Council of Cooperatives and Mutuals (BCCM) to develop a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for BCCM and the wider co-op and mutual sector.
- We have partnered with Queensland Cricket (the Brisbane Heat BBL/WBBL teams) and Carlton Football Club to share knowledge and experiences around reconciliation, diversity and inclusion.
Case study: Investing in energy efficiency upgrades for community housing
Great Southern Bank has teamed up with Mission Australia in a new community partnership aimed at cutting utility bills for hundreds of Australians living in community housing.
Over the next three years, we will invest $1 million to fund energy and water efficiency upgrades across hundreds of properties managed by Mission Australian along the easter seaboard.
“Rising utility bills put immense pressure on everyone on a fixed or low to medium income. Through Great Southern Bank’s generosity, hundreds of our tenants will now be able to access technology such as solar panels, insultation, water, and energy meters, potentially saving hundreds of dollars annually,” said Mission Australia CEO, Sharon Callister.
The new partnership is the centrepiece of our second Financial Inclusion Action Plan (FIAP) and reinforces our commitment to climate action.