Defence Bank
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    Defence Bank
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    Company Reviews

    Working at Defence Bank

    3.335 ratings in total
    5
    14
    4
    2
    3
    7
    2
    6
    1
    6
    71%
    Rate salary as high or average
    51%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends
    Work/Life balance
    3.6(35 ratings)
    Career development
    2.7(35 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    3.2(35 ratings)
    Management
    2.8(35 ratings)
    Working environment
    3.5(35 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    3.3(35 ratings)
    Ratings for Defence Bank are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

    Showing 35 reviews sorted by most recent
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    1.0
    Member Consultant
    Mar 2026
    Wagga Wagga NSW 26501 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    I do not recommend working here.
    The good thingsSome other front line staff members were a joy to work with.
    The challengesI find the morals and values of Defence Bank company extremely questionable. Do not expect any thorough training, guidance, or ongoing support from your manager. Back stabbing, gossip and targeted attacks are activities loved by the employees at Defence Bank. You will receive pay raises praising your work ethic but then be told you’re not doing enough. The amount of work you will do deserves a much higher pay rate. If you value your mental health, do not work here.
    3.0
    Member Consultant
    Nov 2025
    Melbourne VIC 30002 to 3 years in the role, current employee
    Defence Bank do better
    The good thingsThe other staff in branches are good however they can be back stabbing
    The challengesManagement, many managers don’t follow process and procedure and then expect you to do the same. Along with that managers will often gossip about staff in branches and can create negative feelings amongst the team. Managers are usually not supportive in individual growth unless they personally like you. Not a mature environment, very much like high school. Don’t expect career growth and development, unless they personally like you
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    P&C
    Aug 2025
    Melbourne VIC 30001 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Great experience, one of my favourite work places.
    The good thingsAmazing and relaxed culture. Phenominial office, good pay. Great flexibility.
    The challengesNot much but when I was there I was seeking more senior work which I didn't get as much as I would of liked.
    5.0
    Manager
    Jan 2025
    Melbourne VIC 30001 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    A bank where you actually mean something
    The good thingsThe people you meet here are life long friends. The members are the best customers you will ever get.
    The challengesUsually challenges in new roles but you learn fast
    5.0
    People and Capability
    Jul 2023
    Melbourne VIC 3000current employee
    An organisation with an important purpose and a great company culture.
    The good thingsFlexible working, supportive team, great training and development opportunities.
    The challengesThere are not many challenges that come to mind!
    5.0
    Branch Manager
    Jun 2023
    East Sale VIC 38521 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Great place to work!
    The good thingsThe People, Culture and Members were all brilliant to deal with.
    The challengesCan be quiet at times.
    5.0
    Marketing Role
    Feb 2023
    A great place for growth and work-life balance.
    The good thingsI couldn’t recommend Defence Bank highly enough. They treat you like an adult and trust you to do your job. The culture is highly inclusive, and as a parent, their flexible working environment has enabled me to have a much better work-life balance. A huge benefit to working at Defence Bank is its smaller size, as you have exposure and influence across the entire range of products and services and not just one particular area. The Head Office has also been completely refurbished, making it a pleasant place to work from.
    The challengesThere haven’t been any challenges so far.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    People & Capability
    Nov 2022
    Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    A great organisation that cares about its people & its members.
    The good thingsGreat people Opportunities to make a meaningful difference Organisational Leadership Flexibility & hybrid working Internal collaboration Member first approach
    The challengesVery few. Potentially size limits ‘title’ for employees who are driven by being upwardly mobile - but many opportunities for growth exist & are afforded within role.
    5.0
    communications
    Oct 2022
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    A modern mutual bank with great career opportunities.
    The good thingsAmazing work-life balance with flexible working across the bank. Good opportunities for development and the managment have a clear strategic direction.
    The challengesContinues to develop technology across the bank.
    5.0
    Information Technology Support Analyst
    Oct 2022
    3 to 4 years in the role, current employee
    An amazing place to work that has genuinely made me a better person.
    The good thingsDefence Bank has a great company culture. The bank has a meaningful purpose (to serve those who protect us), which is not just a slogan, this is something that means a lot to all that work for Defence Bank. Everyone that works at Defence Bank is honoured to serve the Australian Defence Force. The members are amazing individuals who aren't just customers, they are mentors and role models.
    The challengesI have nothing negative to say about Defence Bank. It's a great organisation that values its people and its members.
    1.0
    Member Consultant
    Oct 2022
    Waste of time employer, should have invested my time elsewhere
    The good thingsThere are some great people in areas of the company. Excellent members who appreciate the work you do
    The challengesNo career progression, lazy branch level management, far too high expectations for such low pay, consistently losing staff leading to higher pressures, poor management of HR issues, no consequences for poor staff performance
    2 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Head Office Employee
    May 2022
    Overworked, Burnout, Unappreciated
    The good thingsThe people make this place great but there are always good people wherever you work.
    The challengesSenior Management are not moving with the times and some people in charge should not be there due to their style. Most people are overloaded with work. Culture is also stuck in the past.
    1.0
    Bank Teller
    Mar 2020
    3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Dismal
    The good thingsNothing good to say
    The challengesA total lack of leadership
    3.0
    Bank staff
    Dec 2019
    Great local team in a changing environment with low pay but high job satisfaction
    The good thingsThe customers are always put first and the client base is predominantly defence community, so you feel like your helping people who really deserve the best you can give them. Close community ties make it a very \"family\" feel to work there
    The challengesWages far below industry average, not much career progression opportunity unless you live in Melbourne.
    2.0
    Head Office Administration Role
    Nov 2019
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Not a pleasant place to work.
    The good thingsCan’t think of anything good.
    The challengesAppalling treatment of staff. Very hierarchical.
    2.0
    Rather not say
    May 2019
    Average
    The good thingsPerks are ok, like discounted insurance
    The challengesAggressive culture, cowboy
    3.0
    Member Service Officer
    May 2019
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Great company, Senior Management Sucked
    The good thingsEnjoyed the diversity of work, everyday gave you something new
    The challengesKPI's were unachievable, senior management never acknowledged hard work unless you were in favour
    5.0
    Member Service Officer
    May 2019
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Fantastic working culture, would return if right opportunity presented itself.
    The good thingsOrganisational culture and support.
    The challengesOpportunity is limited in terms of career growth due to size of organisation.
    3.0
    Member Service Officer
    Feb 2018
    3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Culture shock.
    The good thingsThe Members and staff benefits. The staff trying to make a difference.
    The challengesThere is an issue with the culture and staff engagement. No encouragement or support and unapproachable management.
    5.0
    Retail
    Nov 2017
    Would definately work for defemce bank again, only reason i left was due to personal reasons
    The good thingsManagement was easily approachable, benefits were great. Small tight knit group.
    The challengesOnly positive challenges that one with good work ethics will enjoy
    2.0
    Branch Officer
    Oct 2017
    Co workers are excellent, making it a great environment. Overall company needs to work on supporting their employees.
    The good thingsImmediate staff in branch are great to work with.
    The challengesKPIs are impossible to achieve, which is extremely demotivating. Staff aren’t eligible for member promotions and no other employee benefits. Only incentive scheme is branch of the month... there are 37 branches so most branches get nothing, also demotivating. Policies are difficult to locate, and all training is on the job, hoping they don’t forget to tell you important details. Work stations are not OH&S compliant. Any suggestion of change is met with ‘this is how we’ve always done it’. Compliance courses are out of date. Branch staff are expected to make unrealistic amounts of outbound calls, especially when promotions are running. With no incentive, on top of serving customers and processing paperwork. No networking activities for branch staff to interact with other departments. No career development opportunities.
    1.0
    Call Centre Customer Service
    Oct 2017
    3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Don't do it
    The good thingsThe customers are great
    The challengesGood staff are overworked and undervalued. Management do not have enough knowledge and people skills to lead and develop staff effectively
    3.0
    Banking Officer
    Sep 2017
    Suits my needs and lifestyle.....for now.
    The good thingsWork life balance is there. If lucky you have a flexible manager. Some benefits with loans and credit cards (which all other banks would offer staff). I have the freedom to do my own thing. Good hours. Did have good work mates but quickly declining.
    The challengesDon't appreciate or see value in the right people, only the \"yes\" people. Being small no room for advancement. Recognition/reward is only given to front line staff. Promotions don't make sense. Retaining out dated staff, don't see what value they bring. Losing too many of the good people and the knowledge. High turn over rates. I don't understand managements decisions or direction.
    1.0
    Member Consultant
    Aug 2017
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Backwards Bank
    The good thingsSome good people that try and change outdated culture.
    The challengesManagement, culture, lack of understanding of change, profit before people at alll costs.
    2.0
    Customer Service Officer
    Aug 2017
    5 to 6 years in the role, former employee
    Very unfulfilling work experience where I was never challenged or respected.
    The good thingsIt was a part time job to help me through Uni, however it became more problematical as the years went by. I stayed there at least one year too many.
    The challengesVery poor management. Lack of respect.
    5.0
    Home Office Staff
    Aug 2017
    current employee
    Great company to work for
    The good thingsGreat working environment. Staff all get along within the team. Management are very approachable.
    The challengesDue to staff coming and going there are a few tasks only one person knows how to do, cross training needs to happen asap.
    2.0
    Credit Assessor
    Sep 2016
    Melbourne VIC 30041 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    I was hired for my extensive knowledge & expertise then not allowed to have a voice.
    The good thingsThe people I worked with were fantastic
    The challengesManagement do not allow their people to have a voice & do not trust their knowledge, expertise & ability to understand direction to deliver desired results.
    3.0
    Head office
    Sep 2016
    Melbourne VIC 30047 to 8 years in the role, current employee
    Just a job other Banks are better, no performance bonus or recognition for non sales staff
    The good thingsOkay working conditions, friendly Co-workers
    The challengesPoor inconsiderate management, non receptive to ideas particularly regarding work load and constantly micro managing staff
    5.0
    Branch Manager
    Feb 2016
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    A job with purpose
    The good thingsThe people and member you work with
    The challengesLocations can be difficult a to work in. Competition in the industry.
    5.0
    Home Loan consultant
    Oct 2015
    Every day brings new opportunities
    The good thingsStaff perks
    The challengesYou must be comfortable with a sales role.
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