andym79

As far as I understand, the banks require 100 points of identity to activate an account in Australia.

Am I right in thinking that a UK passport, UK drivers licence and a UK credit card is adequate to meet the 100 point requirement?

Whats the best way to transfer money from a UK bank to Westpac?

How is the money transferred internationally?

Thanks

James2513

Identity proof should be enough for hundred points for opening an account.
The best way to transfer money internationally is Telegraphic Transfer (TT) also knows as wire transfer.

keenymeeny

Use a currency dealer!!!!!! The banks will not give you a good deal.

lonndongeek

The full 100 point check is only applied after you've been in Australia for 6 weeks.

Within 6 weeks of arriving, your valid passport and residential visa are all you need.

Cheers

Steve

moneypenny20

Unless you use First Direct and then more often than not you get a better deal than the currency people.

ianandhelena

http://www.tranzfers.com/

GBP7 each transfer.

Centurion

Or the parent company www.ozforex.com.au who dont charge the GBP7 but its for larger amounts than you can do with tranzfers and you get a slightly better rate.

keenymeeny

Try all the dealers, HIFX, Currencies Direct etc. When you get the best rate ring another back and tell them what they have to beat to get your business. That will give you a bit more. From experience HIFX will usually beat the rest, even if only buy a small %, but it makes a difference on several thousand. There are no charges,

spottydog

THe 100 point check is a standard Aussie identification check. For the first 6 weeks after your arrival your passport will count as 100 points, after that it will only count as 70 points. A UK Credit card is worth nothing and I'm not sure a UK drivers licence will be worth a lot since it won't have an Aussie address on it.

When you get here use your passport to get you initial bank card then apply for Medicare and get your card, you will then have enough to cover the 100 points for anything else (UK passport 70 points and bank/medicare cards 25 points each)

Going forward other items for ID are Australian divers licence, and Aussie Credit cards and utility bills.

keenymeeny

Divers licence?

keenymeeny

We did our points with a Westpac branch in Brizzie the day after we landed. We presented UK drivers licences (with an r), UK credit cards and passports. I had an old green shield stamps book that was almost full, but it wasn't accepted.

paddyo

lmfao!!! Green Shield Stamps!!! Christ, I'd forgotten all about those!!! Ah, memories! You'll be selling Spangles next

keenymeeny

What those shiny tight trousers?

spottydog

The UK drivers licence etc. were irrelevant for the check as your passport gave you 100 points since you had only landed the day before (and as with the visa applications anything over the points needed doesn't make any difference). I imagine Westpac just wanted a secondary piece of evidence to confirm the passport wasn't a forgery (did you apply for the account in the UK or just walk in from the street?).


Oops, I meant Drivers licence

AHamm

I've never used them but I've heard good things about HIFX for currency transfers. Apparently they're particularly good for things like transferring your pension and lump sums from house sales etc.

Definitely do your research and get good advice before you transfer your money. The difference between transferring on one day to the next could mean thousands gained or lost.