Methodology: How does Finder choose the best bank accounts?
At Finder, we've been comparing bank accounts for more than a decade. We've assessed accounts in our panel based on a few key features that we know you care most about to bring you our picks. While we haven't looked at all accounts in the market, we're confident our picks are strong offers.
We've selected accounts from our partners that suit a range of different criteria, for example travelling or budgeting. Several of our top picks are determined as part of our annual Finder Awards, which involves extensive comparison of all products in our databse against a range of criteria for each category.
How to pick the best bank account
If our top bank account picks aren't right for you, here's what features to consider when you compare bank accounts.
Account fees
Look for a transaction account with no monthly account-keeping fees. If there are account fees, ask yourself if there are any extra features with the account to justify the fee as most accounts don't charge one.
Deposit conditions
Most bank accounts don't have a monthly deposit requirement. If there are monthly deposit conditions to meet, make sure it's an amount that you're comfortable with.
Account access options
Most of us want to bank online these days, with 98.9% of banking interactions taking place digitally according to the ABA. However if you still like to bank in branch, the best bank account for you will likely be one that has branch access (as many online banks don't).
Overseas fees and charges
If you like to travel regularly, the best transaction account for you could be one that doesn't charge overseas ATM fees or international transaction fees.
Linked savings account
If you're planning to open a savings account with the same bank, it's a good idea to look for one with a competitive interest rate.
Payment options
Make sure the bank account offers the payment options that you want. These might include BPAY, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, PayID, tap and go with Visa payWave or Mastercard PayPass.
ATM access
If you use cash and cheques, a transaction account with a large ATM network and smart ATMs that accept cash and cheques might be best for you.
Joint account options
The best bank account for couples or friends who both want access to the account is a joint bank account.
🔥 Quick tip when choosing a bank account
"You don't need to have one bank account for everything. Finder data shows that 30% of Australians have bank accounts with multiple different banks, and the main reason why is for convenience. For example, you might find it's best for you to open one bank account for your day-to-day spending and bills, and a separate bank account to use when you travel."
Market update by Alison Banney – Finder money editor
Top 5 bank accounts for customer satisfaction
The Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards ask Australians which brands and products they trust and love the most. For the bank account satisfaction awards, we surveyed hundreds of Australians to rate their bank accounts.
Bank
Overall satisfaction
Trustworthy/reliable
★★★★★ 4.63/5
97%
★★★★★ 4.48/5
100%
★★★★★ 4.39/5
91%
★★★★★ 4.31/5
97%
★★★★★ 4.23/5
91%
Frequently asked questions
Bank accounts are all designed for day-to-day spending and transactions. To find the best bank account to suit your needs look at the account's fees and features, and make sure it lets you access your money in the most convenient way for you.
Banks accounts typically don't pay any interest, as the account is designed for spending not saving. If you want to earn interest on your money you'll need to open a savings account instead.
Yes, bank accounts are one of the safest places for your cash. Your deposit up to $250,000 with an Australian bank is guaranteed under the government bank guarantee scheme.
The Big Four banks - Westpac, NAB, CommBank and ANZ - are the biggest in Australia but this doesn't mean they're the best for you. See how bank accounts by the Big Four compare to others in the market.
A lot of bank accounts can be opened as joint accounts with another person. When picking one, consider what you'll be using the account for and what features you need. For example, would spend tracking tools in the mobile app be handy for you? Or perhaps you're more interested in avoiding fees when travelling?
If you travel a lot, a bank account with no international transaction fees would be ideal. These fees can be as high as 3.5% of the total transaction value per transaction, each time you make a purchase with your debit card in another currency. Avoiding these fees can save you lots of money.
You can open a kids savings account that pays interest on your child's balance, or a kids bank account that comes with a debit card or pre-paid card.
A student bank account will usually have no fees and sometimes also offer extra perks and features.
The best bank for you depends on your specific needs. Do you want an account where you can have multiple sub-accounts to save for different goals? Do you want a transactional account from which you can spend every day? Are you looking for a joint account to manage joint spending with your partner? Or are you hoping to get an account with no overseas fees, as you shop online or travel regularly? Knowing what your goals are will help you get the best account for you.
ING, UBank and Up Bank offer no-fee transaction accounts, along with the Big 4 banks (CBA, NAB, ANZ and Westpac) and most smaller banks. Some also waive international transaction fees.
All the Big 4 banks (CBA, NAB, ANZ and Westpac) along with ING, Up, and UBank offer fee-free everyday accounts. With so much choice available, there's no reason to pay fees for an everyday personal transaction account.
The "Big 4" are Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, and NAB. They dominate the Australian banking landscape in terms of customer base and accessibility.
We value our editorial independence, basing our comparison results, content and reviews on objective analysis without bias. But Finder may receive compensation when you click links on our site. Learn more about how we make money from our partners.
Alison is an editor at Finder and a personal finance journalist with over 10 years of experience, having contributed to major financial institutions and publications such as Westpac, Money Magazine, and Yahoo Finance. She is frequently quoted in media outlets like SmartCompany and SBS, offering expert insights on superannuation and money management. Alison holds a Bachelor of Communications in Public Relations and Journalism from the University of Newcastle, and has earned three ASIC RG146 certifications in superannuation, securities and managed investments and general financial advice, ensuring her expertise is fully aligned with ASIC standards.
See full bio
Alison's expertise
Alison
has written
647
Finder guides across topics including:
Looking for an internet style of banking where i can use my older laptop..Any banking places i can do that with..
Finder
RajApril 6, 2023Finder
Hi Ian,
Thanks for contacting Finder.
Most banks on our comparison table have Internet banking and banking apps. You can click on the “more info” button from the table to find more information regarding the features of any particular bank you are interested in.
Thanks
Raj
BobMarch 2, 2023
We own our house, with no mortgage, my wife is retired and i work full time. As i am planning for retirement “Two Years” what is the best everyday bank for us. We are currently with ANZ
Finder
AlisonMarch 2, 2023Finder
Hi Bob,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder. We’re a financial comparison site and are unable to give you any personal advice or product recommendations. You can use the table on this page to browse a range of bank account options and find one that might suit you best.
Thanks,
Alison
mosesFebruary 10, 2023
request for financial assistant for poverty
Finder
SarahFebruary 20, 2023Finder
Hi Moses,
If you need some help, reach out to the National Debt Helpline. They produce many helpful guides are based on the experience of financial counsellors who provide free information & advice. Contact them at: https://ndh.org.au/
BrianNovember 21, 2022
where do I get a bank account that has cheques available.
I’m looking to open a bank account with a different bank that my home loan is with (st george). One that I will hopefully rarely withdraw from but may only put up to $500 a month. Would like no account keeping fees, won’t need an access card. What option is best?
Finder
AlisonFebruary 22, 2023Finder
Hi Jake,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder. We’re a financial comparison site and while we can help you compare your options, we can’t give you any personal advice or suggest products for you.
Based on what you’re looking for (an account to make deposits but limited withdrawals, and no debit card required) you may even be interested in a savings account instead of a bank account. You can take a look at some options here: https://www.finder.com.au/savings-accounts
It's common to have a few different bank accounts that each have a different purpose. Here's how you may benefit from having multiple bank accounts and the traps to avoid.
Now is the best time to start looking at the new bank account offers and promotions available. There is fierce competition between banks for your business so you should take advantage of this opportunity and get yourself a deal.
International transaction fees can add up to a lot of wasted money. These debit cards are great for travelling and online shopping and will save you money by waiving this annoying fee.
When used wisely, a debit card provides you with great flexibility when it comes to handling your everyday financial needs.
Important information about this website
Finder is a comparison service. We do not compare every product or every provider in the market.
We make money through commercial arrangements with some of the providers on this site. Products marked 'Sponsored', 'Promoted', 'Featured' or 'Advertisement' appear as a result of a commercial arrangement.
Our editorial content, product reviews and any 'Top Pick' designations are prepared independently of these commercial arrangements.
The default order of products in our tables can be influenced by commercial arrangements. You can re-sort or filter using the controls above each table.
Some content on this site may be generated or supported by AI tools. You should verify details directly with the provider.
Finder is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stand by our editorial principles.
Our comparison service does not include every product or every provider in the market. Some product issuers offer their products under multiple brands or through associated companies. Where we can, we identify the underlying issuer so you can compare like with like, but you should always check with the provider directly to confirm which brand you are dealing with.
Finder is a comparison website and an intermediary. We are not a product issuer and we do not provide personal financial or credit advice. When you click a link to a product, or apply for a product through our site, you deal directly with the product issuer. We may receive a referral fee, commission or other payment from the issuer if you click through, apply or take out a product. We describe these arrangements in more detail under 'How we make money' below.
Product features, fees, terms and eligibility criteria are set by the product issuer and may change. We rely on information supplied by issuers when we present product details on our site. Before you apply for or take out any product, you should confirm the details directly with the issuer.
We earn revenue from Finder in four principal ways:
Referral fees and commissions. When you click a product link, complete an enquiry form or apply for a product through our site, we may receive a referral fee, commission or other payment from the product issuer. We may also receive payment based on the volume of leads or conversions we send to an issuer.
Sponsored placements. Products marked 'Sponsored', 'Promoted', 'Featured' or 'Advertisement' appear as a result of a commercial arrangement between Finder and the issuer. These labels always indicate a paid placement. We do not use them for editorial choices.
Display advertising. Banner advertising, newsletter advertising and similar display ads on our site are paid by advertisers.
Content sponsorship. Some articles, videos and social media posts are sponsored by an issuer and are clearly labelled as such.
Our editorial opinions, product reviews and any 'Top Pick' designations are prepared independently of these commercial arrangements. A 'Top Pick' is an editorial choice made by our writers and editors based on the criteria described on each comparison page. A 'Top Pick' is not a personal recommendation and does not mean the product is appropriate for your circumstances.
If you would like to know whether we have a commercial arrangement with a specific product issuer, please contact us.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the default order can be influenced by commercial arrangements we have with product issuers. In some categories, sponsored or featured products appear in the top positions of the table by default, and are always labelled as such.
Other factors that influence default order include price, fees and features, and (where relevant) our editorial view of the product.
You can re-sort every comparison table using the controls above the table. You can filter by product features that matter to you. The order you see after re-sorting or filtering is not influenced by commercial arrangements.
Some content on this site is generated or supported by artificial intelligence tools, including our AI-powered assistant FinderBot. AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify important information directly with the product issuer before making a financial decision. For more information about FinderBot, see the FinderBot Terms of Use and FinderBot Privacy Collection Notice.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Looking for an internet style of banking where i can use my older laptop..Any banking places i can do that with..
Hi Ian,
Thanks for contacting Finder.
Most banks on our comparison table have Internet banking and banking apps. You can click on the “more info” button from the table to find more information regarding the features of any particular bank you are interested in.
Thanks
Raj
We own our house, with no mortgage, my wife is retired and i work full time. As i am planning for retirement “Two Years” what is the best everyday bank for us. We are currently with ANZ
Hi Bob,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder. We’re a financial comparison site and are unable to give you any personal advice or product recommendations. You can use the table on this page to browse a range of bank account options and find one that might suit you best.
Thanks,
Alison
request for financial assistant for poverty
Hi Moses,
If you need some help, reach out to the National Debt Helpline. They produce many helpful guides are based on the experience of financial counsellors who provide free information & advice. Contact them at: https://ndh.org.au/
where do I get a bank account that has cheques available.
Hi Brian,
You can check out our guide here for options: Bank accounts with cheque books
Thank,
Alison
I’m looking to open a bank account with a different bank that my home loan is with (st george). One that I will hopefully rarely withdraw from but may only put up to $500 a month. Would like no account keeping fees, won’t need an access card. What option is best?
Hi Jake,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder. We’re a financial comparison site and while we can help you compare your options, we can’t give you any personal advice or suggest products for you.
Based on what you’re looking for (an account to make deposits but limited withdrawals, and no debit card required) you may even be interested in a savings account instead of a bank account. You can take a look at some options here: https://www.finder.com.au/savings-accounts
Thanks,
Alison