What is business financial hardship?

Business financial hardship is when you or your business are having trouble making your regular repayments such as business loans or credit cards. 

Needing to reach out for financial assistance can happen to anyone or any business. Whether you’re dealing with job loss, illness, unexpected expenses or any other of life challenges, we’re to help.

Reaching out is free and confidential, won’t affect your credit score and is the best first step towards getting the help you need.

Watch our video to learn more.

Reach out for support early

No one knows your business better than you. If you're starting to feel the pressure, don't wait. Get in touch with us early so we can work together on the right support for your situation.

We’re committed to supporting you and your business and keeping an eye out for signs of financial hardship, like missed payments or accounts operating outside their limits. If we notice something, we may reach out to check-in.

Financial assistance for your business

Every business is different and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to managing financial hardship. 
That’s why we’ll work with you to explore financial assistance options to suit your business and circumstances. Options may include:

Extra time to raise funds

If your business can’t currently meet some or all of its financial commitments to NAB, we may be able to give you extra time. Ways to raise funds might include selling an asset, refinancing or securing equity in another way. We’ll take the time to understand your situation to determine if this option may be suitable for you.

Restructuring your loans

If you have multiple loans or credit products with NAB, we can talk about options to help make your repayments more manageable. This might include restructuring your debt or changing your loan terms. We’ll take the time to understand your situation to determine if this option may be suitable for you.

Building a sustainable business

If your business is facing long-term financial challenges, we can help you explore ways to adjust and build a more sustainable future. This might include changes to how you operate or how your finances are structured. We’ll take the time to understand your situation to determine if this option may be suitable for you.

Flexible payment arrangement

This option allows you to make partial repayments for a limited time on your accounts, usually starting with one or two months. We’ll talk through what this means for your circumstances and help you understand the implications. We’ll take the time to understand your situation to determine if this option may be suitable for you.

Payment break

If you're unable to make repayments for a few months, we may be able to offer a temporary payment break. This is typically available for up to three months. Interest will continue to be charged as usual. At the end of the payment break, you will need to repay the total amount that was not paid during that time. When you contact us, we will ask about your circumstances and explain what this option could mean for you. We will take the time to understand your situation and assess whether this support is suitable.

Considering all options for your business

Selling property or assets, or closing your business, is always a last resort. However, in some cases, it may be the most appropriate option to reduce debt, especially if your business’s financial position has permanently changed and recovery is unlikely, even with adjusted loan terms. If this becomes necessary, we’ll have open, honest and compassionate conversations with you to explore the best way forward.

How to get support

If you’re concerned about your business finances, starting a conversation with us is the best first step. Whether you need short term or long-term assistance, your banker and our business banking teams are ready to speak with you and provide tailored support. 

Speak to your business banker

If you are experiencing financial hardship, your business banker is your first point of contact and can help you understand your options for further support.

If you don't have a business banker, our Business Customer Care team is here to help.


Call the Business Customer Care team on 1300 961 577
International number +6138 6419 142
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm (AEST/AEDT)

Financial hardship assistance

Our Business Customer Care team is here to discuss options for tailored financial assistance if your circumstances have changed and are affecting your ability to keep up with your business accounts.


Call the Business Customer Care team on 1300 961 577

International number +6138 6419 142
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm (AEST/AEDT)

Need to call us back? If you’ve missed a call from the Business Solutions team, you can get back in touch by calling them directly. Call the Business Solutions team on 1300 392 545 Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm (AEST/AEDT)

Tools and resources

Wherever you are in business, find the tools and resources that make managing your money easier.

Free, independent and confidential financial counselling

Financial counsellors offer free, independent and confidential advice to help you better manage your money and get you back on track. 

A financial counsellor may be able to speak directly with NAB and other lenders on your behalf, so you don’t have to manage conversations with multiple banks or service providers yourself.

Frequently asked questions

  • A financial hardship arrangement is a temporary or permanent change to your loan or credit repayments when you are experiencing financial difficulty. This may include deferring repayments, making reduced or partial payments or restructuring your loan terms. If eligible NAB will tailor an arrangement to suit your situation.

  • Yes. Interest continues to be charged while you are in a hardship arrangement.

  • Entering into a hardship arrangement does not affect your credit score. Your credit report will show you have had hardship on your account. This is something called a Financial Hardship Indicator and is on your credit report for 12 months. It will not include the reason for the arrangement. 

    If you miss repayments and do not enter an arrangement your credit score may be negatively affected.

    Understanding your credit report.

  • We may assess your income, assets, debt levels and ability to resume full repayments after the support period ends. If a hardship arrangement is not suitable, we may still help by offering an alternative payment plan. 

    Free support is also available from financial counselling services.

Extra support when you need it

We understand that life can be challenging sometimes. That’s why we offer support for a range of situations.

Accessible help for everyone

We offer a range of accessible services to help you access the right support, in the way that works best for you.

External support

Access support from our specialised external partners for tailored advice and additional assistance.

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