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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Alison Banney

Edited by

Richard Whitten

Updated

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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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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

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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

    Paris's avatar
    ParisJuly 16, 2017

    Hi, i am about to come to Australia and I wish to open a bank account.
    At first I would like to transfer 30000 euros.
    For now I live and work at Greece.
    Will this amount be taxed ?

      Harold Jacob's headshotFinder
      HaroldJuly 18, 2017Finder

      Hi Paris,

      Thank you for your inquiry.

      If you do not intend to move in and have provided your an address as outside of Australia, you will not have to pay tax on bank account.

      I hope this information has helped.

      Cheers,
      Harold

    Franz's avatar
    FranzJune 21, 2017

    Good day!

    I am personally interested to open an bank account in Australia to enable me to send funds to an account for savings purposes. I do not intend to move there but want to keep my funds safe due to high fluctuations in Namibia country and government problems. Is this possible and which account type do I need?

      Jonathan's avatar
      JonathanJune 22, 2017

      Hi Franz!

      We know domestic situations can sometimes worry people. We want you to talk to your local bank and ask if they have Australian bank partners who can assist you with this. If granted, they will tell you which account types are available for you to open.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Jonathan

    Kuriakose's avatar
    KuriakoseMay 22, 2017

    My wife and myself are South African citizens . Our children are married and settled in Australia. We applied and waiting for the Australian permanent residence permit and used to visit Australia . We were teachers in South Africa now retired and is residing in India at present.
    Shall we open an account in Australia and transfer our savings to Australia for a fixed period ?
    Shall we supposed to pay the tax for the interest earned ?

      Jhezelyn Andoy's avatarFinder
      JhezelynMay 31, 2017Finder

      Hi Kuriakose,

      Thanks for your question.

      Banks often have migrant services to help make the transition as smooth as possible. Most of the major Australian banks have migrant services with staff who can speak a range of languages. This makes it a lot easier to open a bank account and avoid miscommunications. If you are on a tourist or visitor visa, you can open an Australian bank account by visiting a local branch and providing your passport. You can find on this page – https://www.finder.com.au/foreigners-open-a-bank-account-in-australia – what are these banks and the guide on how you can apply.

      Once you’ve opened an Australian bank account, you may want to transfer funds from accounts in your home country to your new account through your bank.

      Hope this helps.

      Regards,
      Jhezelyn

    Sam's avatar
    SamMay 22, 2017

    I am a Canadian citizen and I will be visiting Australia in August. I want to open an non resident bank account so that I get a debit card to use it while I am there. Can I open a bank account while I am still in Canada.

      Harold Jacob's headshotFinder
      HaroldMay 22, 2017Finder

      Hi Sam,

      Thank you for your inquiry.

      Typically, you can open an account online before arriving in Australia, on the phone or in person at the branch once you arrive. Also, the type of account depends on your personal situation, your reasons for being in Australia and how much you’re willing to pay for additional services and add-ons.

      I hope this information has helped.

      Cheers,
      Harold

    Spillo's avatar
    SpilloMay 15, 2017

    Hi,
    I lived in Australia for about 7 years under a working visa, my visa was cancelled last year and I am not living in Australia at the moment however I am waiting for an answer from the appeals tribunal to be reintegrated in Australia with a new working visa which it will probably take a year or so (estimated time communicated by appeals tribunal). I still have a bank account in Australia, can I still use it even if I am living in the Philippines with my girlfriend and having some incomes from the US as I’m working on a US website?

      May's avatarFinder
      MayMay 16, 2017Finder

      Hi Spillo,

      Thanks for your question.

      When you say you can still use your bank account, do you mean to have access to it like taking in / out money from it? If so, you’d be best to directly contact your bank. Basically, for transactions like depositing money to your bank account, if you are overseas, you may be able to transfer funds through wire/money transfers. If withdrawing cash, that would depend on your financial institution if your account can be used overseas. In case yes, you’d need to be aware of the applicable fees when using your account outside Australia.

      Cheers,
      May

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