When to open an au bank account?

[SUPERSTARDJ01]

Hi all,

 

Our visas were approves yesterday, we're looking at moving between august and november, when would be a good time open an account in au? And who with?

[Guest]

Anytime you want. Easy to do online while in the UK. 

Any of the main ones would be a good starting point. You can always change once here. Check out charges etc and see which one appeals.

[LKC]

As Snifter says, you can do it from the UK.  We opened one with Westpac before we moved, and when we arrived we just rocked up at the branch where our bank cards etc were waiting for us.  They helped us set up internet and phone banking in the branch when we picked the cards up.

ETA:  We just had to provide them with our Tax File Numbers (TFN) once they arrived, as they had to apply withholding tax (it was something like 49%!) without it.  This was 2009 though, so this may have changed.

[Jon the Hat]

I looked into this a couple of weeks ago.  All the main banks, Commbank, Westpac, NAB, ANZ - have a migrant bank account service where you can open up to a year before you arrive.  As noted above, you pick up your cards when you get there having shown the 100 points of ID typically required in Australia.  It is important to note that until you do this ID check, your account if not truly active and you cannot withdraw any funds. They will of course accept deposits.  

I suggest then it is worth having your plan to ensure you have 100 points of ID before you need any cash you transferred.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100_point_check 

Edited April 25, 2018 by Jon the Hat

[Jsmull87]

We set one up with Westpac a couple of months ago. We supplied Passports etc and was told that’s everything and you can just pick up debit cards when you get to Australia. The guy did also say we could have cash cards now if we wished.

Everything is sorted through their London branch and you get a contact person. Ours so far has been pretty helpful and responsive.