Australian Bank ATM Fees and Charges
What you’ll pay when using your card to withdraw money from an ATM – and how to avoid these fees.
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If you're using an ATM that belongs to your bank, or one of your bank's partners, you will not be charged an ATM fee to withdraw cash. If you're not near an ATM in your bank's network, you can avoid ATM withdrawal fees at CommBank, ANZ, NAB or Westpac ATMs as long as you're using an Australian debit card.
Otherwise, you could be charged ATM fees. See the table below for a list of fees for the majority of Australian institutions.
Australian bank ATM fees and charges, partnerships and alliances
* Note: St.George ATMs operated by a third party are excluded (for example: St.George ATMs located inside BP service stations) unless they too, are in partnership with Westpac.
You can use this table to see whether or not your bank has any ATM partners that you can enjoy free ATM withdrawals from. To help you compare the costs, we’ve included into two key categories:
- ATM partners. These financial institutions are partnered together so customers can use any of their ATMs free of charge.
- Withdrawal fees. This charge may be applied when you use a non-partnered ATM in Australia, or for accounts that have a limit on free transactions.
The biggest ATM networks in Australia
Independently owned ATM machines
Except rediATM, which is owned by Cuscal, independent ATM networks can be owned by individuals or syndicates who have purchased a lease off an ATM operator. If you use an ATM from an independently owned operator such as Cash Card, the fees and charges are set on a contract-by-contract basis.
This means fees can vary between machines, even if they have the same branding. The fees for withdrawals and balance checks start from $2 but could be as high as $3 or $4.
Institution | ATM partners | Cost of ATM withdrawals (for non-ATM partner cards) |
---|---|---|
atmx by Armaguard | atmx has a big list of partners, including: You can see a detailed list in the FAQs. | $2.50 |
rediATM | rediATM has a big list of partners, including:
You can see a detailed list in the FAQs. | $2.50 |
Cash Card (First Data) | N/A | From $2 |
CashConnect (Banktech) | N/A | Varies based on region and business |
Customers ATM (DirectCash) | N/A | The surcharge varies depending on amount and transaction volumes |
Indue Money | N/A | N/A |
Kwik Cash | N/A | From $2 |
How to avoid paying ATM fees
Use a partner ATM or any of the big four banks' ATMs
Use an ATM owned by your financial institution or a partner ATM. Check your bank’s website or mobile app for an ATM locator that can advise you of nearby machines you can use for free.
The four major Australian banks – and a handful of others – don't charge ATM fees for out-of-network Australian cards. As these ATMs are typically the easiest ones to find, you shouldn't have an issue making a fee-free cash withdrawal with your debit card.
Use a global alliance ATM if you’re overseas
There is a Global ATM Alliance that gives people who bank with partnered financial institutions a way to use ATMs for free around the world. In Australia, Westpac is part of this alliance, which means Westpac Group cardholders (Bank of Melbourne, BankSA and St.George) can make withdrawals for free at a huge number of international ATMs.
For example, if you were using a Westpac Group card in France, you wouldn't be charged fees at BNP Paribas ATMs. Or, if you were in the UK, you could avoid international ATM withdrawal fees at Barclays Bank ATMs.
Plus, most ATMs in Europe don’t charge a local ATM operator fee, so the main charges you’ll incur will be from your own bank if you don’t use a partner ATM.
Use a fee-free debit account
If you want to avoid ATM withdrawal fees, a fee-free debit card is another option. The ING Orange Everyday Account, the ME Bank Everyday Transaction Account and the Citibank Plus Everyday Account all offer fee-free withdrawals to cardholders.
However, some of these debit cards have terms and conditions you need to meet to be eligible for fee-free withdrawals, so make sure you read the fine print or contact the bank to find out if you qualify.
Which bank has the biggest ATM network in Australia?
What fees will I be charged for using my credit card at an ATM?
When you use a credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, you'll be charged a cash advance fee worth around 2-3% of the transaction amount, or a minimum dollar value of around $2 to $5. You'll also attract the cash advance interest rate from the date of the transaction.
Even if your credit card doesn't charge overseas ATM withdrawal fees, you'll still attract the relevant cash advance charges. Given the high fees and interest rates, you may want to consider using your debit card to make ATM withdrawals instead.
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Frequently asked questions
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Ask an Expert
If I had a bank of Melbourne card and I needed to deposit money but the only ATM near me with cash deposit is anz would I get a charge?
Cheers
Hi Tom,
Thanks for reaching out to finder.
You can only make cash and cheque deposits at selected Bank of Melbourne’s partner banks ATMs such as St.George and BankSA. It’s best to contact Bank of Melbourne to verify and confirm if it’s possible to make a deposit through ANZ ATM to avoid any mistakes.
I hope this helps.
Cheer,
Charisse
My friend is on a pension. Her son moved for work and left his cat with her but said he’d pay for food and would transfer money. She went several times to a rediATM (the only one near her) to see if funds arrived. She was charged $2.50 each time for balance check, not even a withdrawal. Are they allowed to do this?
Hi Sally,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder.
I understand that this situation could be frustrating. There are different ways on how ATMs earn and one of them is charging withdrawal fees. If you use an ATM which isn’t a partner of your card, then it is most likely that you will be charged a fee.
It is important to take note of the name of your card and the ATMs that don’t charge any fee. You can do that by looking at our table on this page. So, for example, if your card is NAB or Macquarie cards and you use RediATM, you won’t have to pay any withdrawal or inquiry fee.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
I understand being charged a fee if withdrawing money, but seems unreasonable to be charged $2.50 for a balance check.
Hi Sally,
Thank you for getting in touch with finder.
I can understand your frustration. I suggest that every time you check your or your friend’s balance in a cash machine, make sure that they are ATM partners. When we say ATM partners, these financial institutions are partnered together so customers can use any of their ATMs free of charge. Customers are charged $2.50 even doing a balance enquiry and this fee is called “disloyalty” fee for using rival ATMs.
As a friendly reminder, while we do not represent any company we feature on our pages, we can offer you general advice.
I also advise you to contact your bank to verify this info for your peace of mind.
I hope this helps.
Have a great day!
Cheers,
Jeni
My son was charged an ATM operator fee of $8.00 for a withdrawal which I think is extremely excessive. Is this a rip-off or are the non-bank ATMs that charge this much?
Hi Linda, thanks for your question!
Usually, ATM operators charge fees to non-partner banks and unfortunately these fees are usually high especially when you use the independent ones. So as much as possible, you have to look for an ATM where you can withdraw funds from your own bank’s ATM or ATM alliances.
Cheers,
May
hi i am wondering if i am able to use commonwealth atm to withdraw cash from my bendigo account and will it cost me also wondering if bendigo bank Atm’s in tasmania have the cardless cash option as i have just opened an account with bendigo bank and wont have my card for up to 10 days
Hi Deborah, thanks for your inquiry!
Unfortunately Bendigo Bank does not currently have a cardless cash option. Without a card withdrawing from a Commonwealth Bank ATM would not be supported. The cost for withdrawal from a non Bendigo Bank/ Suncorp ATM from a Commonwealth Bank ATM is $2.00 .
Cheers,
Jonathan
sorry I have just asked a question and lost the possible reply..(re ATM matters for my ASB Auckland account
HI Gordon. I’ve sent something to your email. Jacob.