Community Enterprise Queensland

Grocery97% confidence

Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) is a not-for-profit Queensland Government statutory body that operates supermarkets and retail stores providing groceries, fresh food, fuel, and essential goods and services to remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including Palm Island.

Cairns, Queensland, Australia
ceqld.org.au

About Community Enterprise Queensland

Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) is a not‑for‑profit Queensland Government statutory body that operates supermarkets, convenience stores, fuel outlets, and other retail services in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including Palm Island and communities across the Torres Strait and Cape York. Trading under brands such as IBIS, ABIS, and other community store names, CEQ focuses on providing reliable access to groceries, fresh food, household essentials, and fuel where large supermarket chains are not present. Their head office is in Cairns, Queensland, and any profits are reinvested to support community services, store upgrades, and improved food security.

A CEQ-related charge may appear on your bank or card statement after you shop at one of their community supermarkets, convenience stores, or fuel stations, or when placing an order that is organised through a community store or freight arrangement. Transactions might show under names such as “COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE QLD,” “CEQ,” “IBIS,” “ABIS,” or a specific store name followed by a community location (for example, “IBIS – [COMMUNITY]” or “PALM ISLAND STORE”). These are typically one‑time purchases for groceries or fuel, but you may also see charges for layby payments, store account payments, or larger consolidated transactions when multiple purchases are processed together. Some card issuers may briefly show a separate “pending” amount for fuel purchases or card-verification checks.

To verify a CEQ charge, first match the transaction date and amount with your grocery or fuel receipts from any recent visit to a CEQ, IBIS, ABIS, or other community store. Check whether anyone else in your household used your card in a remote community, and review your mobile or online banking for the exact merchant description. If something doesn’t look right, contact the specific store directly (using the phone details printed on your receipt) or use the contact form and phone numbers at ceqld.org.au to reach CEQ head office in Cairns. They can confirm which store processed the payment, explain pending fuel pre-authorisations, and assist with refunds, corrections for duplicated or incorrect charges, or guidance on disputing a transaction with your bank if necessary.

Bank Statement Variations

1 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Community Enterprise Queensland.

  1. COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE Q PALM ISLAND AU

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my statement show a charge from CEQ, IBIS, or ABIS when I only remember shopping at the community store?

Community Enterprise Queensland operates many local stores under trading names such as IBIS, ABIS, and other community store names. Depending on your bank, the transaction may appear as “COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE QLD,” “CEQ,” “IBIS,” “ABIS,” or the specific store name plus the community location. If you shopped at a community supermarket, mini‑mart, or fuel station in a remote Queensland community, this is the likely source of the charge. Compare the date and amount with your last in‑store receipt or any fuel purchase from that location.

Does Community Enterprise Queensland offer subscriptions or recurring payments?

CEQ does not run subscription services like streaming or membership plans; most charges are for single in‑store purchases of groceries, fuel, or household items. In some communities, customers may have store accounts or structured payment arrangements that are paid periodically (for example, via Centrepay or regular bank transfers). If you have set up such an arrangement, you may see regular payments to CEQ or a specific store name on your statement. If you are unsure whether you have an active arrangement, contact the store or CEQ head office via the details on ceqld.org.au.

Why do I see two CEQ or IBIS charges for the same day and a similar amount?

Two similar CEQ or IBIS charges on the same day are often explained by separate visits to the store (for example, groceries in the morning and fuel later) or a combination of a pending authorisation and the final posted transaction. Some banks show a temporary “pending” amount first and then the final amount once it is settled. Check the exact times and amounts in your online banking, and compare them with your receipts. If you have only one receipt but two posted charges (not one pending and one posted), contact CEQ or the store to investigate a possible duplicate payment.

Can CEQ place a temporary fuel hold or card authorisation on my account?

At some fuel outlets or EFTPOS terminals, your bank may place a temporary pre‑authorisation (a pending hold) to confirm funds are available before the final transaction amount is processed. This can appear as a separate pending CEQ, IBIS, or store-name amount that is higher than your actual fuel purchase. The hold is controlled by your bank and usually drops off within a few business days, leaving only the actual purchase amount. If a hold seems to remain for too long, contact your bank; CEQ can confirm the final purchase amount if needed.

How do I get a receipt or proof of purchase for a CEQ or IBIS transaction I see on my statement?

If you need a copy of a receipt, first note the date, time (if available), amount, and merchant description from your bank statement. Contact the specific store where you believe the purchase occurred; store contact details are usually printed on previous receipts or can be requested via CEQ’s contact page at ceqld.org.au. Provide as much information as possible so staff can search their point‑of‑sale records. In some cases, they can issue a reprinted receipt or a transaction summary confirming the purchase details.

What is CEQ’s policy on refunds, overcharges, or incorrect transactions?

Community Enterprise Queensland follows Australian Consumer Law, which means you are entitled to a remedy (refund, repair, or replacement) if there has been an error or a problem with goods or services. If you believe you were overcharged, charged twice, or billed for items you did not receive, contact the store where the purchase occurred as soon as possible with your receipt or transaction details. The store can usually correct scanning errors, reverse duplicated transactions, or arrange a refund where appropriate. If you cannot reach the store or the issue remains unresolved, escalate the matter through CEQ head office using the contact information on ceqld.org.au and, if necessary, follow up with your bank’s dispute process.

How can I query or dispute a CEQ charge if I don’t recognise it?

Start by confirming whether you or a family member recently travelled to or lives in a community where CEQ, IBIS, or ABIS stores operate, and check your receipts or any shared card use. If you still do not recognise the transaction, write down the amount, date, and merchant description from your statement, then contact CEQ via the phone number or enquiry form listed at ceqld.org.au so they can trace which store processed the payment. They can tell you what type of transaction it was (grocery, fuel, or other) and the store location. If the transaction appears fraudulent, immediately notify your bank or card issuer to block your card and start a formal dispute.

Can I cancel a regular payment or Centrepay arrangement linked to a CEQ store?

If you have set up a regular payment to a CEQ-operated store (for example, via Centrepay or scheduled bank transfer for a store account), you will need to cancel or change it through the same channel used to set it up. For Centrepay, this is usually done via Services Australia (Centrelink) or through the community store that arranged it. For recurring bank transfers, you can pause or cancel them in your internet banking or by speaking with your bank. After you cancel, it is a good idea to confirm with the CEQ store that no further purchases will be charged against that arrangement.

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