How do I challenge a Bendigo Bank fee dispute?
How to challenge a Bendigo Bank fee dispute using the Banking Code of Practice and AFCA complaint review rights.
Regulator
AFCA
Key legislation
Banking Code of Practice
Dispute path
Letter first, deadline tracked. If they go quiet, escalation to AFCA is prepped and ready.
Bendigo Bank fee disputes usually involve a charge that the customer says was not disclosed, was applied in error, or was not reasonably explained. The Banking Code of Practice is the main consumer framework used to assess whether the bank handled that dispute fairly.
Keep the fee notice, the account statement, your product terms, and any email or message that explains the charge. Ask Bendigo Bank to identify the fee, when it applied, and why it was not waived or reversed after you raised the issue.
If the internal complaint does not resolve the matter, AFCA can review the handling of the dispute. The complaint is strongest when the evidence shows the charge, the terms, and the bank’s response in one clear record.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first step?
Ask for the fee schedule, the charge date, and the reason the bank applied the fee.
Can I question a fee if it was listed?
Yes, if it was applied incorrectly, not explained clearly, or not handled reasonably.
Does the Code help?
Yes, because it sets out the expectations for bank complaints and fair treatment.
What documents matter?
Statements, fee notifications, account terms, and the bank’s written response.
Can I ask for a refund?
Yes. The complaint can ask for a fee reversal or a proper review of the charge.
Is AFCA the next step?
Often yes once the bank’s internal process has been used.
What if Bendigo Bank just ignores my letter?
Silence is not a dead end, it is a deadline breach. Bendigo Bank is expected to respond to a formal complaint within 30 days. Build your letter with us and we track that deadline for you: a countdown check-in two weeks in, and if they miss the deadline, your escalation to AFCA (the Australian Financial Complaints Authority) arrives pre-filled and ready to lodge. Escalating is free.
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Open the Bendigo Bank armoury →screwtheman.com is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The content on this page is for general information on consumer rights, legislation, and dispute pathways. For complex legal matters, consult a qualified lawyer or the relevant regulator.