opening a bank account ?

[Guest cosworth123]

can anyone tell me how to open a bank account in oz from here :?:

 

thanks,

 

richard

[Guest jackie1]

Hi Richard

 

The Halifax Bank have links with the West Australia Bank ( or Bank of West Australia something like that) they have branches all over Oz.

 

I was told to call into the local branch of Halifax in the UK and they can help open the account and set it up for you. :lol:

 

I am hoping to go to Adelaide and have been told they have branches there.

 

Jackie.

[lynniep]

I actually opened a travellers account with citibank before I came over

http://www.citibank.com.au/ and go to the 'Take off with a Traveller Account' link.

 

Its fairly straightforward, and you can deposit money in it before you go. I never actually looked around, I just came across this one and thought I may as well set it up. Its all done online, although when you get here you have to go and pick up your paperwork at wherever it specifies and make a phone call to set up passwords etc.

 

Its not necessarily an account to keep (after 6 months I'm starting to look around for other options - I'm not strictly a 'traveller' since I havent left Sydney) but I'm glad I had something sorted before I arrived especially when I got a job. They charge for all transactions (the banks over here charge left right and centre, but most will actually give you a number of 'free' withdrawals before they start charging. Make sure you check the fees.

 

You can also use it for EFTPOS transactions in most shops, but very few banks here do visa debit cards, which is annoying because I like to buy things online, and I don't want to have to use a credit card to do that.

 

You are probably better off finding something else which would be more long-term, but if you have trouble then you can always use this option as a back up plan!

[Guest cosworth123]

thanks for the imformation i have got a few months to sort things out as i have booked flights for the 19 january2006 shame they are return tickets

will be looking at some land so i can hopefully get a house built

 

richard

[Guest BrerRabbit]

Hi, I just happened to be talking about emigrating when I went into the Nationwide recently. they told me about their normal bank account which can be set up and you can use it from wherever in the world you live - you can change address on it to your 'foreign' address. The best thing about it is that you have free ATM withdrawals wherever you are - no charges. Your aussie employer can pay your salary into it, just like an aussie account. you can manage the account online so no need to have a branch nearby. I've checked out a lot of the aussie bank accounts nad all of them charge for withdrawals, making payments from the account, withdrawals etc etc etc and a monthly fee just for the 'priviledge' of having the account! Can't see why you'd want an aussie account if you can use this one at Nationwide. We opended ours last week, took the papaers in they needed in the mornig and it was open by lunchtime.

Hope this helps!!

[Guest ABCDiamond]

AUSTRALIAN BANKS with UK facility to assist in opening an Australian account.

 

 

Commonwealth Bank, Financial and Migrant Section, London EC4V 4HA, Tel: 0207 710 3990

 

HSBC Bank, International Branch Tel: 020 7991 7278 (Local High Street Branches may not know about it)

 

I prefer HSBC, no fees accounting with the online account

http://www.hsbc.com.au/personal/accounts/osa.html

[Guest mark78]

You can also use it for EFTPOS transactions in most shops, but very few banks here do visa debit cards, which is annoying because I like to buy things online, and I don't want to have to use a credit card to do that.

 

 

You're actually spoilt for choice when it comes to Visa Debit Cards.

 

Some of the providers:

 

http://www.hsbc.com.au (national)

 

http://www.national.com.au (national)

 

http://www.stgeorge.com.au (national)

 

http://www.suncorp.com.au (national)

 

http://www.bendigobank.com.au (national)

 

http://www.heritageonline.com.au (national)

 

http://www.imb.com.au (national)

 

http://www.eldersruralbank.com.au (national)

 

http://www.LaikiBank.com.au (national)

 

http://www.greater.com.au (NSW only)

 

http://www.newcastlepermanent.com.au (NSW Only)

 

http://www.westpac.com.au (Vic Only)

 

http://www.adelaidebank.com.au (SA Only)

 

http://www.homeonline.com.au (WA Only)

 

 

Also, most Credit Unions around the country (there are too many to list).

[Guest ABCDiamond]

Your aussie employer can pay your salary into it, just like an aussie account.

Regarding this Nationwide account, I'm not sure your average Australian Employer would want to pay wages into a UK bank account. Their own bank would probably want a fee of about $25 to do each transaction, plus the relevant % to do the currency conversion.

 

I am also curious at what FX rate they do each transaction at, as they must be making a reasonable profit on the FX rate, to cover the ATM fees that the Australian Banks charge each other, and I would "assume" they charge the UK banks also.

[Guest pete]

hi this link might be of some use http://www.migrantbanking.co.uk