Indigenous Australia

NAB’s fourth Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was launched on 1 March 2012. Our long-term commitment to address disadvantage and deepen our relationship with Indigenous Australia remains as strong today, as when we launched our first RAP in 2008. We are beginning to see progress as our workforce reflects greater numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. More Indigenous communities are building their financial literacy as they access our not-for-profit microfinance products and receive assistance from our network of Indigenous Money Mentors. Our employees are directly engaged and it is becoming part of the way we do things at NAB.

Our aim is to support social and economic development by working in partnership with Indigenous communities. Our strategy continues to focus on:

  • Providing greater access to financial products and services to promote financial inclusion.
  • Building access to real jobs that are long lasting and are delivered in a sustainable way.
  • Supporting greater organisational understanding of and respect for Indigenous Australians, their culture and aspirations.
  • Building business partnerships to support Indigenous business and work together with traditional owners to take advantage of emerging native title opportunities.

To learn more about our progress and future plans, please read our RAPs:


Indigenous Advisory Group

NAB has brought together Indigenous leaders and senior NAB executives to advise on NAB’s engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the Reconciliation Action Plan.

The members of the NAB Indigenous Advisory Group are:

  • Dr Chris Sarra (Co-Chair) Executive Director, Stronger Smarter Institute
  • Danny Gilbert (Co-Chair) Managing Partner Gilbert + Tobin Lawyers, NAB Director
  • Fred Chaney, Chair of Desert Knowledge Australia, Board Member, Reconciliation Australia
  • Terri Janke, Solicitor Director, Terri Janke and Company
  • NAB - Paula Benson, General Manager, Corporate Responsibility

The IAG meets half yearly and first met in June 2009. An honorarium is paid to members of the group, excluding the NAB representatives.


Financial inclusion

NAB’s working to help build financial inclusion by creating access to safe, affordable microfinance and providing face-to-face support:

Indigenous Money Mentors

NAB established the Indigenous Money Mentor (“IMM”) network as we believe many Indigenous people on low incomes are often financially marginalised as a result of specific cultural and geographic challenges. As a result of such challenges, it is often difficult for Indigenous people to access culturally appropriate financial literacy information and assistance with money management issues.

Indigenous Money Mentors offer face-to-face support by:

  • providing ongoing financial literacy education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities using culturally appropriate materials and education techniques.
  • engaging in casework with clients to improve the clients’ financial wellbeing (including assistance when in financial crisis and supporting the client to adopt preventative strategies).
  • providing a supported referral service to help clients obtain assistance from other service providers to address broader issues which may be impacting on a clients’ financial wellbeing (eg. consumer protection agencies, health, housing, employment and education services).
  • providing access to NAB’s microfinance products (No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS®), StepUP Loans and AddsUP Savings Program) in circumstances where the client identifies that such products will improve their financial wellbeing.

Safe and affordable microfinance

Since 2003, NAB has been developing microfinance programs and financial capability building initiatives to help disadvantaged people. NAB’s commitment, which is in excess of $130 million provides safe, affordable products and services helping people avoid exploitation and build their financial capability.

This support is provided in partnership with community organisations on a non-discriminatory basis. Uptake in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is being facilitated by actively growing programs in high Indigenous population locations and through NAB’s Indigenous Money Mentors.

NAB and the Traditional Credit Union

NAB’s partnership with the Traditional Credit Union (TCU) has developed over many years. We have provided the TCU with interest free loans to enable them to open branches in remote locations in the Northern Territory, providing access to financial services for more Indigenous customers. In addition, NAB has created a grant, to the value of $200,000 for TCU to fund activities as branches are opened.

NAB provides governance support with a senior executive on the TCU Board and our employees also have the opportunity to work with the TCU through secondments.

Indigenous Entrepreneurs – Microenterprise Loans

In partnership with Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), NAB has developed an Indigenous Business Entrepreneurs program based on the award-winning Microenterprise Loan.

NAB provides the capital and IBA helps each client with their business plan and advice through their Australia wide network of business consultants. NAB is also working in partnership with the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) to make Microenterprise Loans available in the Torres Strait and has formed partnerships with Kinaway, the Victorian Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce, Murdi Paaki Regional Enterprise Corporation and the South East Queensland Indigenous Chamber of Commerce to help Indigenous entrepreneurs connect with the program.

View some Indigenous business success stories:


Sustainable Indigenous employment

NAB aims to build access to real jobs that are long lasting and are delivered in a sustainable way. Our Indigenous Employment program provides the following opportunities:

School-based traineeships

NAB offers school-based traineeships for students in Years 10 – 12. These trainees study Business Administration Certificate II and receive on-the-job experience and mentoring from NAB employees and external partners. Indigenous school-based trainees work across our personal banking network at NAB branches around the country.

Full-time traineeships

NAB offers full-time traineeships across the organisation, including but not limited to personal and business banking. Generally we look for candidates who have successfully completed Year 12 and are interested in a career in the financial services industry. Trainees have strong customer service skills and receive on-the-job experience and mentoring from NAB employees and external partners.

Internships

NAB has partnered with CareerTrackers to offer internships to university students seeking a career in the financial services sector. Internships are open to students of most disciplines including business, human resources and IT. Our internship program aims to build confidence, skills and abilities in the workforce while candidates complete their tertiary studies. Our aim is to secure successful candidates a permanent position upon completion of their studies.

General Recruitment

NAB is supporting Indigenous Australians develop their career. We seek experienced candidates interested in joining the financial services sector. If you are interested in joining NAB please email us at Indigenous@nab.com.au or search through current career opportunities.

Longitudinal Study

NAB is committed to following the progress of its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees over a number of years. This independent research was undertaken by the University of Canberra and provides insights into the experience of employees, managers, and educators involved in the Indigenous employment program. These results were shared in seminars co-hosted with industry partners.


Creating understanding and awareness

NAB is building its understanding and awareness by appreciating Indigenous cultures and supporting aspirations. Working alongside Indigenous communities builds our learning while we lend a hand.

Welcome to Country Protocol

NAB has developed a protocol to guide employees in how to organise a welcome to country and acknowledge traditional owners and custodians of the land.

NAB’s Indigenous Affairs Master Class

The Master Class is an on-line series of interviews providing leader’s insights into key topics and issues at the forefront of Indigenous Affairs in Australia.

Secondments in the East Kimberleys

Since 2010, we have partnered with Jawun in the East Kimberley region of WA to provide skilled volunteers to assist Indigenous organisations with economic and social development projects. NAB employees are based in Kununurra, Warmun and Halls Creek on 5 week secondments working on a range of local projects. The program encourages participation and inclusion and provides real two-way learning experiences of value to the community. Watch a Video on the work our 2010 secondees have undertaken.

Cultural Awareness Training

NAB employees working in regions of high Indigenous population undertake cultural awareness training as part of their involvement in the Indigenous employment program. The training is provided by an Aboriginal facilitator and provides opportunities for our employees to gain a greater understanding of the local Indigenous communities in which they work.

Leadership Development Cultural Experiences

As part of NAB's Accelerate program - a 12 month program for its senior leaders, NAB has partnered with Tangentyere Council in Alice Springs. As part of the program, leaders spend a day in the life of a Tangentyere manager, getting an insight into their world assisting Aboriginal people living in and around Alice Springs.

Since 2009, a senior group of NAB executives has attended the Garma Festival in East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory gaining insight into Yolgnu culture and issues of importance to Indigenous leaders at the key forum.

Many of these senior leaders are now directly involved and providing on going support to NAB’s Indigenous programs.