Help with Australian Bank Accounts whilst travelling!?

Question

I'm travelling to Oz in November for a year and need to open an account with a bank over there for work etc. The visa bureau recommends that I open one with NAB but are there any other banks which I should consider?

Thanks!

Answer 1

There are many banks operating in Australia all offering different   types of accounts and plans but the big four are

-Commonwealth Bank

-Westpac

-Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ)

-National Australia Bank (NAB)

A couple others 'bankwest' and 'St. George Bank' (my choice for low fees and best service)

Check them out on the net and see which is offering what you need, i think there all pretty much the same.

Your bank may well have branches or affiliates operating in Australia.

Answer 2

One thing to think about when opening a bank account is the monthly fee and the fee for using a non bank atm (i.e. if you are with ANZ and you use any other ATM that is not ANZ you get charged $2 per transaction) this is the same with every bank just depends how much they charge you, and how many atms they have. I choose ANZ when i arrived cause they had no monthly fees for 6months and were 1.50 per non ANZ atm transaction. now they are 2 dollars.

I would definitely shop around. You will find out all you need to know on each banks websites. Make sure your check their over draft facilities. Some banks charge you $35 for using your overdraft from an atm thats not theirs!

Internet banking is great with ANZ though, i must admit, its very easy. And they will help you anytime you need. Just watch out for fees. But sure thats the same with every bank no matter what country you go to!

HAVE A BALL!!!!