Australian Banks

Most of the major banks in Australia offer full time students various banking options including low fees, hassle free banking, no monthly account fees or withdrawal fees. It is best to visit a bank that is located close to your institution because they have more experience with international students and can better meet your banking needs (some universities have banks on campus).

The major banks in Australia include:

Most banks are open from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday. Some bank branches may open on Saturdays but it is best to look on their website for their opening times.

The best way to do banking in Australia is via the internet as you will have access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

You can also do banking over the phone and most bank telephone enquiry lines are open from 8am – 8pm, Monday to Friday.

Opening a bank account

The process of opening a bank account in Australia is quite simple. Firstly, we recommend you  make some research about the services and fees provided by the main banks.

You should visit their websites to obtain more information on fees, services provided and the number of ATMs they have. Most of the banks provide a preferential fee to students. It is also important to see if there is a branch close to your education provider.

Some major banks allow you to open a bank account before you travel to Australia, alternatively, you can open an account when you arrive in Australia by visiting any branch.

To be able to open a bank account, you will need to present your passport and a document to prove that you have enrolled at an education institution (this could be your student ID).

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