COVID-19: banks are here to help.
14 October 2021
As essential services, Australia’s banks have focussed, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, on keeping their staff and customers safe.
Safety measures have included:
- Maintaining social distancing in branches and workplaces
- Installing protective screens and supplying PPE to staff
- Facilitating work from home where possible
ABA member banks also recognise that vaccination is a critical measure to protect against COVID-19 and are actively encouraging and supporting their staff to get vaccinated, including with the provision of paid leave for staff to access vaccinations and, in some locations, undertaking employer vaccination and testing programs.
After further industry discussions, individual banks have considered their next steps and will be undertaking appropriate consultation with their staff on an entity by entity basis.
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Media Releases
Banks welcome draft scams codes progress
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29 November 2025
The ABA welcomes today’s release of draft industry designations and framework for scams code obligations for banks, telecommunication companies and digital platforms – reinforcing the importance of an ecosystem approach in the fight against scammers. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said the draft materials were the next piece of the puzzle in ongoing efforts to drive… Read more »
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ABA CEO Simon Birmingham interview on ABC Pacific Beat
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28 November 2025
E&OE Radio Interview ABC Pacific Beat 28 November 2025 Topics: Loan scams impact seasonal workers; Scam protection tips Host: Welcome back to Pacific Beat. Seasonal and PALM scheme workers in Australia are being advised to stay vigilant and not share their personal details with anyone. It follows an alert issued by Commonwealth Bank warning about scams targeting seasonal workers…. Read more »
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ABA CEO Simon Birmingham interview on ABC Radio National Breakfast
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28 November 2025
E&OE Radio Interview ABC Radio National Breakfast28 November 2025 Topics: APRA’s debt-to-income ratio caps change; Lending practices; Refunds on low fee accounts Sally Sara (Host): Sally Sara with you for breakfast. The banking regulator APRA has fired warning shots at major lenders this week, following an uptick in riskier forms of lending as interest rates have fallen. From February… Read more »