Before you fly — Weeks before departure
Open an Australian bank account
Independent government guidance on choosing an everyday account, from ASIC's Moneysmart.
Open an Australian bank account
moneysmart.gov.au
Independent government guidance on choosing an everyday account, from ASIC's Moneysmart.
You need an Australian account for wages and for your rental bond. All the major banks let you open one from overseas before you arrive and collect the card in a branch.
Have ready before you start
- Passport
- Australian address (a hostel address is usually accepted)
- Visa details
Open it before you fly if you can — the "new arrival" process is much easier than the walk-in one, and you get your card within days of landing.
This is one entry from G'day Guide — every official service, help line and useful site for arriving in Australia, explained in plain English and put in the order you actually need them. No affiliate links, no sponsored placements, no paid rankings.