BOQ: Respect Carers, Support Neurodivergent & Disabled Customers, and Adopt the Sunflower Program

 

Carers, neurodivergent people, and people with disabilities across Australia are calling for immediate change at the Bank of Queensland (BOQ).

 

For years—often decades—carers and their loved ones have received little to no recognition for the essential work we do. This lack of awareness and respect must end.

 

Carers are the backbone of our community. We provide full-time, unpaid support to people with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals, helping with everyday tasks, medical appointments, transport, communication needs, and essential expenses. Our work is demanding, emotional, and absolutely critical — yet often invisible.

 

Why we are raising this petition

 

Too many carers experience disrespect, dismissal, and a lack of understanding when trying to access banking services at BOQ. Instead of making accessibility easier, BOQ’s current approach creates barriers for the very people who most need flexibility and patience.

 

* BOQ has not adopted the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, a globally recognised tool that helps customers signal they may need extra time or accommodations.

* Carers regularly report disrespectful interactions, with staff not recognising our role or the essential tasks we perform on behalf of our loved ones.

* Restrictions placed on accounts belonging to disabled or neurodivergent people have resulted in delayed medical payments, out-of-pocket expenses for carers, and unnecessary stress during already difficult times.

* The basic understanding that carers support people with everyday tasks — including banking — is missing.

 

What we are asking BOQ to change

 

We call on BOQ to take immediate action and commit to the following:

 

1. Recognise carers as essential community workers who play a vital role in supporting disabled and neurodivergent customers.

2. Adopt the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program in all branches to ensure accessibility and understanding.

3. Treat carers with basic respect, patience, and dignity when we attend the bank on behalf of loved ones.

4. Provide disability-inclusion and neurodiversity training for all staff.

5. Remove harmful banking barriers that interfere with medical care, disability supports, or essential daily needs.

 

Why this matters

 

Carers dedicate countless hours to supporting the people who depend on us — often with little recognition and no pay. Neurodivergent people and people with disabilities deserve inclusive, respectful access to banking services.

 

BOQ must do better.

Carers deserve respect.

Disabled and neurodivergent customers deserve accessibility.

And our community deserves a banking system that understands real-world needs, not one that makes life harder.

 

We are calling for change — now.

 

We want recognition.

We want respect.

We want Sunflowers in BOQ branches.

And we want to ensure no carer or disabled person is ever dismissed, ignored, or harmed by inaccessible banking practices again.

 

Please sign and share this petition. Together, we can push BOQ to make the changes our community urgently needs.