While you won't really be able to open a proper UK bank account until you've actually arrived in the UK, in the meantime you can open an account with a multi-currency provider like Wise or Revolut that lets you swap Australian dollars for British pounds.
After you arrive in the UK, you can then open an account with a British bank and transfer the pounds to your new account.
The easiest way to get a British bank account will be using a digital bank like Monzo or Starling, which have fairly light criteria for those looking to open an account.
We've broken this down into two stages depending on your current situation:
While you'll have to wait until you move to the UK to open a British bank account, it's possible to open an account that lets you hold British pounds today.
This can be extremely useful for when you first arrive in the UK and need to pay for things like groceries, rent and other expenses.
One option for opening a GBP account is to use a major UK bank that has a global presence and offers international or expat accounts, for example Barclays.
However, these accounts often have high minimum balance requirements and ongoing monthly fees, so they're not ideal for everyone.
Another option is to use an online multi-currency account such as those offered by providers like Wise and Revolut.
These accounts are easy to open online, and you don't need a UK address to open them.
And because they let you hold a wide range of currencies, they're a flexible alternative if you're a regular traveller or need to send money overseas.
These are our picks for some of the best GBP accounts for those looking to move to the UK:
We assess multiple product features for transaction accounts from over 100 providers and assign each product a score out of 10.
After you've arrived in the UK, you can then apply for a UK bank account. While it's possible to just keep using your multi-currency account, having a full UK bank account will be handy when it comes to things like your salary and tax, and also give you proof of address in the UK.
While you may prefer to go with a traditional British bank like Barclays, Lloyds or NatWest, it's likely to be easier to get an account with digital banks like Monzo or Starling.
The benefit of going with a digital bank is that the application process is a lot simpler and less stringent than many of the big banks.
In fact, all you need to open a Monzo account is to be over the age of 16 and a UK resident (which you will be if you've moved to the UK on a visa or have a UK passport).2
Digital banks are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, and 40% of UK residents used a digital bank in 2025, according to Finder data.1
By comparison, opening an account with a traditional bank may require you to have proof of income and employment, which you won't be able to provide if you've moved to the UK without having a job there.
Of course, once you're settled in the UK, you may wish to open an account with one of the big UK banks or simply stick with a digital bank if you've gone with one of them.
You'll generally need to provide the following to open a bank account with a UK bank:
"I moved to the UK in 2019 and found it easy to open an account with Monzo, a London-based digital bank. I did need to provide a UK address in order to receive my debit card and activate my account, but otherwise it was straightforward process to apply online. While you may want to then open an account with a traditional UK bank, I found Monzo to be a great option and used it as my primary UK bank for the 2 and a half years I lived in London.""
If you need to send money to the UK, the following tips will help you save money, time and stress on your international transfer.
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