By Sonia Isaacs
BEERWAH’S dwindling access to face-to-face banking is under scrutiny as new figures show the Sunshine Coast leading the nation for capital-to-regional migration, despite the town being left with just one full-service bank branch.
The March Quarter 2026 Regional Movers Index, released in June by Commonwealth Bank and the Regional Australia Institute, identified the Sunshine Coast as the country’s top hotspot for people moving from capital cities to regional areas.
But as Beerwah and surrounding Glasshouse Country communities continue to grow, local business leaders are questioning whether access to essential banking services is keeping pace.
Glasshouse Country Chamber of Commerce president Naomi Pearce said digital banking had transformed how people managed their finances, but had not removed the need for branches.
“While online banking has undoubtedly changed the way many of us manage our finances, there is still an important role for face-to-face banking,” she said.
“That’s particularly true for local businesses and residents who may not feel confident navigating increasingly complex digital systems, especially at a time when scams, cyber threats and AI are creating even greater caution online.
“For a region growing as quickly as Glasshouse Country, access to essential services like banking should be growing with us, not disappearing.”
The Sunshine Coast has lost at least 35 bank branches since 2017, while Beerwah has been reduced to one full-service branch – BOQ Beerwah.
Maleny also has a BOQ and Queensland Country Bank branches.
Commonwealth Bank closed its Beerwah branch in September 2022, following ANZ’s departure in February 2021.
A CBA spokesperson said customers continued to have access to branches elsewhere on the Sunshine Coast and Bank@Post services at Beerwah Post Office.
“We remain committed to maintaining Australia’s largest branch network and regularly review our network to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our customers and communities,” the spokesperson said.
CBA pointed to a recent $2 million upgrade of its Caloundra branch as evidence of its continued investment in face-to-face banking on the Sunshine Coast.
ANZ also defended its service availability, saying Beerwah customers had been able to access deposits and withdrawals through Bank@Post since December 2025. “We understand the importance of accessible banking services to the Beerwah community,” an ANZ spokesperson said.
But Regional Banking Investment Alliance spokesperson and Queensland Country Bank chief executive Aaron Newman said Bank@Post was not equivalent to a full-service branch.
“When people are dealing with scams, fraud, lending, hardship or major financial decisions, they need access to experienced banking professionals who can provide face-to-face support,” he said.
“Bank@Post should complement bank branches, not replace them.”
Mr Newman said growing communities such as Beerwah should see banking services expand alongside their populations.
The RBIA is calling for a legislated community service obligation requiring banks to either provide face-to-face services in regional communities or contribute towards their provision.
The issue is set to become increasingly significant ahead of the expiry of the Big Four banks’ regional branch closure moratorium in 2027.