unzippy Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 Hello Is there a Aus equivalent of http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ for me to do some investigating of which bank to choose? Does anyone have any recommendations or ones to avoid? I've read I need the acct before I apply for the medicare? Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicF Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 Try Canstar.com.au. Not quite Money saving expert but a great site for comparing all sorts of financial products and has some good articals as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 Any of the big 4 are probably fine. We use 2 of them without issue. One we opened an account with before we left the UK so it was up and running when we landed in Aus. You can look and see what banks allow you to open an account from overseas prior to arriving in Aus. Its very straightforward. Then, before you leave just book an appointment for the day or so after you arrive to go in, activate the account and collect your cards etc. We may have booked our appointment after we arrived in Aus, I don't recall. Either way, it was really simple and done. Just needed our passports I think. You might want to check the ATM set up as some can be more sparse than others. Also the monthly fees (which some UK banks now do so hopefully you won't find it too much of a shock). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melbpom Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 HSBC have better customer service IMHO than any of the big 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Collett Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Consider one of second tier banks too, particularly if you are happy to wait until you are in Australia before you open the account, as the second tier banks don't have their own migrant banking solutions in the UK. For example, Bank of Melbourne/Bank SA/St George Bank (Westpac Group. means ATM access free). Bank West (Comm Bank group), Bendigo Bank, Bank of Queensland, Suncorp, etc. Best regards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unzippy Posted August 29, 2017 Author Share Posted August 29, 2017 Thank you all. Just to not I found this site for comparing - https://www.finder.com.au/bank-accounts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yelverton Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 HSBC don't have monthly fees and have several branches in Sydney and Melbourne Not so good in Adelaide where there is only one branch but I just withdraw cash for free at the supermarket till 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 13 hours ago, Yelverton said: HSBC don't have monthly fees and have several branches in Sydney and Melbourne Not so good in Adelaide where there is only one branch but I just withdraw cash for free at the supermarket till Yes, most supermarkets let you withdraw cash at the same time as paying but Woolworths are the best as their self-service tills are set up to dispense cash without you needing to buy anything (or you can pay for your groceries with your credit card and take out cash with your debit card in separate transactions - something that most supermarkets wouldn't want as it's two sets of fees for them). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dec05 Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 I used NAB - opened a migrant bank account before I came over. Then called into the branch to validate it after I arrived. They either posted or gave me a bank statement (can't remember which) and it had my temporary address on it which I could then use to get my drivers licence and also used for the variety of other things where you need proof of address. Was very handy. Most if not all of the big 4 waive bank fees on the migrant bank accounts for the first year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonandSian Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 On 26/08/2017 at 12:22, Melbpom said: HSBC have better customer service IMHO than any of the big 4. Can you open a HSBC account from the UK ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melbpom Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 3 hours ago, SimonandSian said: Can you open a HSBC account from the UK ? No, I don't think so at least I didn't. I opened one here in OZ. Our first account opened from the UK was Commonwealth Bank and that was as good as any but over time we changed banks a number of times for one reason or another. I just think the customer service at HSBC is better and I think having an OZ account helped when opening a UK HSBC account. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith and Linda Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 My brother is on holiday over in UK at present, he has not lived in the country for over 35 years, yesterday he opened a UK bank account no problem, had UK passports provided Aus tax file number and a couple of other bits of details, used mothers address, account opened and usable same day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 4 hours ago, SimonandSian said: Can you open a HSBC account from the UK ? If you mean open an Aus one while in the UK, perhaps try here https://www.hsbc.com.au/1/2/personal/international Or failing that, contact them and ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonandSian Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 Thank you all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzyq Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 On 26 September 2017 at 19:56, SimonandSian said: Can you open a HSBC account from the UK ? Yep! My experience was a total pain in the bum but I had added complications of recently being married (so name change) and living temporarily at my sisters home after selling our home and waiting for a visa (address needed over a certain period of time). We have an HSBC account in UK, have done for 40 odd years so thought it'd be easier to get an account agreed. We found that banks will only give you an account if you have a visa number, an e visitor not being sufficient, so I got a 600. That did the trick. We just went into a UK branch and set off the process from here, passport ID, evidence of UK address and visa number, an Aus address and you should be away, a couple phone calls to confirm and reconfirm a few things and away we went. We set up online banking, a bit slower and slightly different from UK but it means we can access from anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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