Member-owned wellbeing company Australian Unity has announced a range of measures to assist its employees, members, customers and communities affected by the country’s devastating bushfires.

The package includes a $100,000 donation to Australian Red Cross to assist relief and recovery efforts.

The company will also match dollar-for-dollar any contributions its 7000-plus employees make to Red Cross and a number of organisations supporting wildlife and the environment.

Australian Unity CEO Independent & Assisted Living, Kevin McCoy said that the fires were directly affecting many of the company’s customers, employees and their families.

“It has been particularly challenging in NSW, where the company provides home care services to thousands of elderly people in regional areas.

“We thank all those emergency service workers and volunteers for everything they are doing to keep these people safe and to protect their property,” Mr McCoy said.

As well as its donation to Red Cross, Australian Unity has introduced measures to support members, customers and employees affected by the fires, including:

• Premium relief and prioritisation of claim payments for eligible health insurance customers.
• A financial relief package for eligible banking customers that includes the option to pause repayments on loans and credit cards for up to three months, as well as temporary loan interest rate relief for customers experiencing extreme financial distress.
• Wellbeing checks on home care and disability customers in regions affected by the fires.
• Distribution of care packages to displaced Aboriginal Home Care customers containing essential personal care items and/or vouchers.
• Emergency relief packages for Australian Unity employees affected by the fires.
• Special leave arrangements for employees who are emergency volunteers or Defence reservists.

Mr McCoy said that Australian Unity would closely monitor the fires and their impact on its employees, members, customers and the broader community and where needed, introduce further support measures.

“For 180 years our company has been committed to the wellbeing of its members, customers, employees and the communities in which they live and work.

“We will do whatever we can to help them get through this crisis and rebuild their lives,” Mr McCoy said.