How to open a bank account in Australia as a non-resident

Opening an Australian bank account as a newly arrived student, worker or temporary resident is simple. But you will need ID plus an Australian address and mobile number.

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By

Alison Banney

Edited by

Richard Whitten

Updated

Fact checked
4.6 based on 835 reviews

Key takeaways

  • You need ID, an Australian address and a local mobile number to open an account.
  • Consider fees, branch access and international transfer costs when comparing options.
  • While some banks offer online applications, many require an in-person branch visit.
You don't need to be a citizen or permanent resident to open an Australian bank account. Temporary workers, students and newly arrived migrants can all open bank accounts very easily.

Australian banks will need to see some ID, a residential Australian address and possibly evidence of your visa when you open a bank account. Some banks also require you to visit a branch in person to activate your account.

Getting started: What type of account do you need?

You probably want to open a transaction account first

In Australia, a bank or transaction account is the type of account you use to make daily purchases, pay bills, send and receive money and manage your daily expenses. These accounts come with a debit card for spending.

This is the account you're probably looking for.

You could also open a savings account

A savings account pays you interest on the money in your account. These accounts are for holding money in the long term and earning interest rather than for daily spending.

Because you have to pay tax on the interest you earn, your bank will ask for your Australian Tax File Number (TFN) when you open a savings account. You don't have to provide a TFN to open the account, but if you don't, the bank may have to withhold tax from the interest it pays you.

You can get a TFN from the Australian Taxation Office, whether you're a permanent or temporary resident.

How to open a bank account in Australia in 4 steps

  1. Compare banks and choose a bank account. At a minimum, make sure you're eligible to open an account. We've got more tips on how to compare bank accounts below.
  2. Gather your ID documents, visa details, address and phone number. If any of your documents aren't in English then you'll need to bring along translations completed by an accredited translator.
  3. Complete the application. Most banks let you do this online. Some banks require you to visit a bank branch to establish your identity after you arrive. Some banks will only create your account if you visit a branch in person.
  4. Deposit funds into your account and wait for your debit card to arrive in the mail. You can add money to your account via bank or money transfer, or deposit cash at a bank branch or ATM.

How do I add funds to my new Australian bank account?

You can add money to your account in a few ways:

  • Bank transfer. You can transfer money from an overseas bank. You'll just need your new Australian account number and BSB (this is a six-digit number used to identify Australian banks and branches).
  • Money transfer. Another option is using a money transfer service. This can work out cheaper than a bank transfer, as money transfers often have better exchange rates.
  • Deposit cash. You can deposit cash at a local bank branch or even via an ATM.

How to compare Australian bank accounts

If you want to open an Australian bank account as a non-resident, you can start by researching different options online. Here are a few of the main things to consider when choosing a bank account:

  • The fees. Look for an account that charges low or no account keeping fees or ATM fees.
  • Branch access. If you'll be making regular in-branch transactions (such as depositing foreign cash or cheques), make sure you select a bank with branches in your local area. Some Australian banks are online only with no branches.
  • International transfers. If you'll need to send money back home, check what the fees are for transferring money internationally, as well as the exchange rates.
  • Multiple currencies. Some bank accounts let you hold several foreign currencies in the one account, which could be handy if you're going back home regularly and need the local currency there.

Frequently asked questions

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Whitten as part of our fact-checking process.
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Written by

Editorial Manager, Money
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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 572 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Superannuation
  • Savings accounts, bank accounts and term deposits
  • Budgeting and money-saving hacks
  • Managing the cost of living
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64 Responses

    Joyce Cahyani's avatar
    JoyceFebruary 20, 2022

    I will send my daughter to Sidney to study. Now we live in Indonesia.
    Can I open bank account in Sidney although I don’t have Australian Tax File number and residential address?
    I’d like to be able to transfer money from Indonesia to Sidney each month as low cost as possible. I’ll use this bank account also to auto debit my daughter’s credit card account.
    What bank is recommended?

      Alison Banney's headshotFinder
      AlisonFebruary 26, 2022Finder

      Hi Joyce,

      While an Australian address and foreign tax details may be required, you can reach out to some banks to see if you can have an account set up without these details. Most banks in Australia will allow you to open an account up to three months before your daughter’s arrival in Australia through an online application form on their website. Please feel free to check our guidelines for opening a bank account for the list of the requirements needed.

      When it comes to choosing the best bank, it would depend on the factors that are most important to you and your daughter and your current circumstances. There’s no one account that is considered best. You could utilize our comparison table to check and compare banks.

      I hope this helps.

      Best,
      Alison

    HusB's avatar
    HusBJanuary 10, 2022

    Hi,
    My sister is applying for a permanent migrant visa and would like to open a bank account in Australia from overseas, with me (Aus resident) as a joint account holder. Do you know if any banks allow this?
    Also, she will not be arriving in Australia at least for 12 months due to visa processing times.
    Thanks!

      Alison Banney's headshotFinder
      AlisonJanuary 28, 2022Finder

      Hi HusB,

      Yes, you can open a bank account in Australia before you arrive here. Generally, banks will allow you to open an account up to 12 months before your arrival date. You and your sister will need to apply online and both meet the ID requirements in order to open the account.

      Thanks,
      Alison

    Azza's avatar
    AzzaAugust 9, 2019

    Hi,

    How many bank accounts I can keep open at the same time?

      Jeni's avatarFinder
      JeniAugust 10, 2019Finder

      Hi Azza,

      Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.

      You can open as many as you can.

      I hope this helps.

      Thank you and have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

    Elzanne's avatar
    ElzanneFebruary 27, 2019

    As a South African citizen, I would like to open a bank account in Australia, but I will not be living or working there.
    I just want ato save place to put myit money.
    Is that possible?

      John Basanes's avatarFinder
      JohnFebruary 28, 2019Finder

      Hi Elzanne,

      Thank you for reaching out to Finder.

      Opening a bank account with an Australian bank is a simple process given that you’re migrating, studying or working. If you reside in another country and don’t intend to migrate to Australia, you’ll need to speak to a local bank who has international ties with a bank in Australia for you to be able to open an account. Hope this helps!

      Cheers,
      Reggie

    Bernice's avatar
    BerniceAugust 1, 2018

    I entered Australia with an EB188 visa when I opened a saving account. I left Australia 4 months later and left the money in my bank account. I need to know how long can I keep the money there while I am abroad.

      Jeni's avatarFinder
      JeniAugust 9, 2018Finder

      Hi Bernice,

      Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.

      It is best to contact your bank and check if you still have a balance. Some Australian banks charge an “inactivity fee” if no transaction is made within a month/a certain period – depending on the type of the account. If you still have the balance and your bank states that you are not charged an “inactivity fee”, your money can stay in your bank within 7 years. Your bank account becomes unclaimed after 7 years if the account is inactive (no deposits or withdrawals).

      Check out our guide about finding an unclaimed money for more details.

      I would also suggest that you contact your bank and close your bank account with or without a balance. This is simply because some banks may charge inactivity fees for not using your account. Others may continue to charge monthly fees on the account, which could put you in debt.

      I hope this helps.

      Have a great day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

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