Product details
You can now forget your wallet on purpose with the St.George Complete Freedom account. You can withdraw cash from any St.George ATM by generating a code using the Mobile Banking app. It comes with a linked Visa debit card with mobile and internet banking, so you bank anytime, anywhere. Your Visa debit card can be used online, in store or overseas.
- Product Name
- St.George Complete Freedom Account
- Monthly Account Fee
- $5
- Debit Card Access
- Visa
- ATM Withdrawal Fee
- $0
- Interest Rate p.a.
- 0.00%
- Details
- $0 account keeping fees if you deposit at least $2,000 per month. Otherwise, a $5 fee applies. Unlimited free withdrawals at St.George, Westpac and BankSA ATMs.
- Joint Application
- Yes
- Fee Free Deposit p.m.
- $2,000
- Overseas ATM Withdrawal Fee
- $5
- Overseas Eftpos Fee
- 3%
- Phone Banking
- Yes
- Fees
- $5
- Internet Banking
- Yes
What are the features of the St.George Complete Freedom Account?
There are a number of features that you should be thinking about when comparing the St.George Complete Freedom Account with other transaction accounts:
$0 Account keeping fee if you deposit $2,000 per month
If you're able to deposit at least $2,000 into your account by the last business day of the month, the monthly service fee is waived. If you don’t make this obligation one month, your account will be charged $5.
However, since this is a month-by-month feature you'll still get the no fee advantage the next month with the right deposit amount. To make sure you never have to pay the service fee, consider having your salary directly deposited right into your account.
$0 Account keeping fee for students and customers under 21
If you're under 21 years old or are a full-time tertiary student or apprentice, the monthly account keeping fee will be waived.
Linked Visa debit card
This card offers you the same shopping privileges as a Visa credit card, except that the money is deducted right from your account instead so you don't need to worry about interest charges.
$0 Transaction fees
There are no charges applied to your account when you use internet or phone banking or make purchases in store with your Visa debit card.
Free ATM withdrawals from the Westpac ATM network
Taking out cash at an ATM with St.George, Bank of Melbourne, Westpac or BankSA in Australia will not incur any charges. If you use an ATM from another network, that institution may apply a charge to your account. Westpac currently has the third largest ATM network in Australia.
No foreign ATM withdrawal fee when using a Global Alliance ATM
St.George is a part of the Global ATM alliance which allows you to make cash withdrawals from certain banks overseas without being charged an ATM fee. If you do use an ATM that is not a part of the alliance, you will be charged $5 per transaction plus other fees and charges may be added to your account from the issuing bank.
| Country | ATM Network |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | Westpac NZ |
| Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji | Westpac Pacific Banking |
| Italy, France | BNP Paribas |
| Poland, Spain, Germany | Deutsche Bank |
| Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Seychelles, Mauritius, Kenya, Ghana, Botswana | Barclays Bank |
| UK, Portugal and Gibraltar | Barclays Bank |
| South Africa | ABSA |
| USA | Bank of America |
| Ukraine | Ukrsibbank |
| China | Bank of Nanjing |
| Singapore | DBS, POSB |
| Canada, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Caribbean, Jamaica | Scotiabank |
$5 ATM withdrawals overseas from a non-Global Partner ATM
If you need to withdraw cash while outside of Australia, you will be charged $5 for each transaction that is outside of the stated network. This is in addition to any fees that the issuing bank may charge you.
3.00% International transaction fee – when you use your card overseas
If you make a cash withdrawal or purchase that requires a conversion of a foreign currency, you will be charged 3.00% of the Australian dollar amount to your account.
$0 Opening deposit
There is a minimum opening balance requirement of $1 for the Complete Freedom Account.
24/7 Online access to your account
You can look forward to convenient and secure banking. St.George online and phone banking means you can access your account anytime and view your balance immediately. You can even use fingerprint login when accessing the St.George Mobile Banking app, given that your phone is compatible. Stay updated with SMS and email alerts.
Withdraw cash with your Visa debit card
Don't worry about bringing your wallet anymore. With Cardless cash, you can use your St.George mobile banking app to withdraw funds.
A range of security features to protect your money
St.George have introduced Card Block. If you've misplaced your card you can block it for up to 15 days using the app while you find it. There is also peace of mind from 24/7 fraud monitoring and fraud money back guarantee. If you report fraudulent transactions promptly and didn't contribute to the loss, St.George will reimburse you for that cost.
Home loan advantage with St.George
If your home loan is with St.George, set up a debit to have your monthly repayments deducted straight from the account. By doing this you can also avoid paying the $5 monthly service fee without having to worry about how much you have deposited.
Only available for personal accounts and names
This account is only available for personal names and can't be opened as a SMSF or business. If you'd like to see what options are available , you can compare other St.George everyday and savings accounts here.
Pros
- Cardless cash available
- 24/7 Online access to your account
- No overseas ATM fee when you withdraw money from an ATM in the global alliance network
Cons
- Minimum $2,000 deposit required every month to get the $0 monthly fee
- 3% international transaction fees apply
- $5 Overseas ATM withdrawal fee from a non-global partner ATM
How do I apply for the St.George Complete Freedom Account?
If after making your comparisons you find that the transaction account from St.George provides all you need, click ‘go to site’ to begin your application. You should check first to ensure that you are able to meet the eligibility requirements:
Eligibility to apply online
- Age requirement. Only individuals who are at least 18 years of age may open the Complete Freedom Account.
- Residency requirement. Applicants need to be residents of Australia with a valid Australian residential address.
- Deposit requirement. An initial deposit of at least $1 is required before the account can be opened.
Documentation for your online application
If you are eligible, continue on to the secure application page. The following documentation will be good to have close by to ensure that your information is accurate:
- Identification documents. St.George will attempt to verify your identity electronically by using two forms of the following identification; driver’s licence, passport, Medicare card or your birth certificate.
- Personal details. In addition to your name and date of birth, you will need to provide a valid residential address within Australia.
If you are a new St.George customer
Australians who have not previously banked with St.George or used one of their other products may need to visit a branch in order to complete the 100 points of identification.
What happens after I submit my application?
Filling out the application should take about five minutes and expect it to be less than two business days before your account is opened. A Visa debit card will be mailed to your home, allowing you to begin accessing your money when you need to.
I am shopping around for a transaction account that meets my needs. I am considering opening a ‘complete freedom account’ with you. It is a requirement for myself that I have two debit MasterCards with the account I open. Is this possible with the account you offer?
You can only get an extra debit card with this account if you have a signatory or if the account is a joint account. Please also be mindful that the card linked to this account is branded as Visa.
What do you mean by 'if I have signatory'?
A bank account signatory is someone who is authorised on your behalf to use the account to deposit or withdraw funds and sign legal documents related to your account. This differs to a joint account holder, who shares joint ownership of the account. To find out more about how this might be able to suit you, we suggest contacting St.George directly.
How long does it take for St George to activate the account and email you if you applied for it over the weekend?
You should’ve received an email after applying listing what your next steps were (if you haven’t it may be necessary to contact St.George directly). You usually will have to identify yourself at a St.George branch before being able to start using your account, but if you’re already a St.George customer this will be unnecessary and your account should be activated within a week.
Can you view your transaction on line, instead of a statement every three months?
Yes you can, you’ll need to ask St.George to set you up with an online account where you can view your transactions online. If you wish to stop your paper statements as well, you’ll need to request this from St.George.
1. Can the withdrawal be transferred to a 3rd party? Eg, If I want to pass $20 to someone else, can I give them the temporary OIN and have them access the funds?
2. Can I transfer to another bank account? Eg, If I want to send $20 to a 3rd party direct to the bank account.
Hi Daryl,
Thanks for your inquiry
1. Yes, the St. George Freedom Account cardless cash feature can be shared with others by sharing your cash code with others. This is ideal if you need to quickly get cash to friends and family.
2. Yes, transferring funds to other accounts is possible. However, these accounts need to be eligible accounts that are linked to your St. George Freedom Account.
You want to check St. George’s website and the terms and conditions for more information about this account.
Hope this information helps
Cheers,
Arnold
Hi there,
I would like to close my st george complete freedom bank account since I moved overseas and it just keeps charging my account monthly even when i have no use for it, I forgot to close my bank account before i moved away from Australia, I am not coming back anytime soon within ten years, is there any way i can close it with phone or online? Thank you very much
Hi Morris,
Thanks for your question.
Yes, you can certainly close your account by calling the bank direct if you can’t visit a branch.
Regards,
Clarizza
Hi,
I want to receive money from overseas from a tax refund company. Will there be any charges for receipt of money credited to your account from overseas of course in foreign currency but equivalent to get here in AUD. I have complete freedom account.
Hi Vahid,
Thanks for your comment.
It is best to check with your bank, however it looks like there is a fee of around $15 for inward transfers. Please note we are a comparison website and provide general advice only.
Hope this helps.
Clarizza
I want to open a St George Freedom Account but only for about a month then I would want to close it. How do I go about this?
Hi Diane,
Thanks for your question. You can open a St.George Freedom Account by clicking on the ‘Go to Site’ button at the top of this page. Be sure to check information on documentation requirements and eligibility to apply under the ‘How to Apply’ tab on this page.
You can certainly open an account for one month. When you’re ready to close, you can notify St.George direct.
Hope this helps.
Clarizza
Hi,
Is there any fees for closing an account with St George? If yes, what’s the amount?
Hi Dan,
Thanks for your question.
St.George do not charge a fee for closing the account. Once your balance is at $0 (you have transferred your funds elsewhere), you can call St.George to close your account or visit one of their branches.
We also recommend taking a look at our guide to closing a bank account which outlines what you need to look out for and considerations to make.
Hope this helps.
Clarizza
What is the withholding tax rate on accounts where no tax file numbers are provided? Please advise.
Hi Anna,
Thanks for your question.
WHT is calculated using the top marginal rate of tax (which is 45%) plus Medicare levy (which is 1.5%).
Hope this helps.