How to Open an Australian Bank Account from Overseas In 5 Steps

Opening a bank account in Australia from abroad is much easier than you would think. Online application forms for Australian banks are the easiest to use. You can open an Australian bank account from overseas or outside of Australia using the online application forms if you are a non-resident.

Australia’s Largest Banks

In Australia, there are basically four big, important banks. They consist of Westpac, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, and the National Australia Bank (NAB) (ANZ Bank). These Australian banks enable foreign non-residents to open a bank account online even before they travel to Australia.

Australian Bank Accounts That Are Available

Non-residents may open checking or current accounts as well as savings accounts with the majority of Australian banks. But generally speaking, we advise customers to create an everyday transaction account before switching to a savings account once they’ve landed in Australia.

The following services are available to you through the daily transaction accounts:

• Banking online
• payment of bills
• the use of ATMs withdrawals
• Account transfers
• ACH transfers
• Bank cards
• Recurring payments
• Other payments

Document specifications and further eligibility

When requesting to open an Australian bank account from overseas online, you must provide specific documentation to back up your identification and authorization to work and earn in Australia.
Consequently, these documents are needed:

• your ID card
• You’re visa
• evidence of address
• Tax data, such as a TFN (Tax File Number)
• Employer information and salary
• If you listed a foreign address on your online application, a residential address in Australia.
• A National Identity Card or Medicare card issued in Australia (or other forms of ID e.g. birth certificate)

How to Open an Australian Bank Account From Overseas

The following details are crucial if you want to open an Australian bank account from overseas online. If you’re already, here is the quickest and easiest approach to open an Australian bank account from overseas online:

• Visit the bank’s website where you plan to open an account. You can enter the information they require there.
• Your arrival date must be stated. Make sure you are aware of your precise arrival date in Australia. You might be required to give the bank this information if you apply for an account.
• Possess a local Australian address. When you submit your application, banks want proof of residency, and not all will accept one from outside the country.
• Include your passport and visa in the list of papers you must scan and upload.
• When your online application is accepted and you are in Australia, go to the nearest branch to finish your application and have your documents verified.

Visit the bank’s website that you’ve chosen. From there, you can add the information they require. Most banks will have phone numbers if you’d rather do it that way. Make sure to call during Australian business hours only.

If you haven’t already arrived in Australia, be sure to know the precise date. In some circumstances, you’ll have to give the bank this information when you apply for an account.

possess a local Australian address. When you submit your application, banks want proof of residency, and not all will accept one from outside the country.

Scan and submit every document required. Include your passport and visa in the list of papers you must scan and upload.

When your online application is accepted and you are in Australia, go to the nearest branch to finish your application and have your documents verified.

Opening an Account with Commonwealth Bank Through Overseas

Residents of other countries are able to open accounts with CommBank from outside of Australia. CommaBank accounts can be opened even up to three months before travel to Australia. After you arrive, activate your account by going to any CommBank location. This enables you to utilize all of the bank’s standard account features.

You can speak with CommBank’s international team or register an account online. Before applying to open an Australian bank account from overseas online, CommBank asks that you be at least 14 years old.

You must open a personal CommBank account. You only need to fill out a brief application, visit a branch when you go to Australia, and present your passport and tax details. Read more details from CommBank here:

Opening an ANZ Account Outside of Australia

You can register for an account online with Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) if you live outside of Australia. When you first open an account, the services you can access are restricted until you visit an ANZ branch and completely activate your account.

An ANZ account application is available online. However, ANS provides two different account kinds. Online Saver and ANZ Access Advantage (an daily account) (a savings account)

After you submit your application and provide the necessary documentation, ANZ will send you within two days with account information. For internet banking setup, ANZ will call you. After visiting a branch to activate your account, you’ll receive a debit card and complete access to all account features.

Opening a NAB Account Outside of Australia

It is simple for immigrants to open an Australian bank account from overseas online or from outside of Australia. Thanks to the National Australia Bank (NAB), however, you must be at least 18 years old to open an Australian bank account from overseas online, and you can do so up to a year in advance of your arrival.

A NAB account can be opened online. You can open a NAB iSaver account for savings and a NAB Classic Banking account for regular transactions. It may take up to three business days to open a bank account with NAB.

You also require the following details to open a NAB account:

• Your passport number and expiration date
• Your email address
• Your arrival date
• The city you are arriving in

Opening a bank account with NAB could take up to three working days. Once your account is open, you can use NAB Internet Banking to make deposits and check your balance. Visit a NAB branch when you arrive in Australia to activate your account and obtain a debit card.

How to Open a Westpac Account Outside of Australia

Even though Westpac provides less information about creating an account than the other banks do, customers outside of Australia are nevertheless permitted to open an Australian bank account from overseas online.

You will need to follow information below:

• You can open a Westpac account by applying online.
• Up to 12 months before to your arrival in Australia, you can open a Westpac account.
• Once it is open, you can deposit money into it. When you arrive in Australia, after passing an identification check, you can withdraw money from your account.