DaveandLinda

Does anyone know if it is possible to set up a bank account in Australia as a tourist? My son is thinking of spending about 9 months visiting family and travelling and has a tourist visa. He won't be working and has already had one working holiday visa and isn't eligble for another. He has saved up money for the trip, but obviously doesn't want to have to take all the cash/traveller's cheques with him and ATM withdrawls would be too expensive. Any suggestions?

Rideaway

How about a Nationwide account ?
You can withdraw money for 'free' at the current exchange rates and it saves on all the other associated costs and hassles of travellers cheques and cash.

shirlw

went over last year on a tourist visa and beforehand set up an account with NAB via internet.You can deposit as much as you want but cannot withdraw or transfer until you activate it in person.Very simple...just go into any branch of whatever bank you have chosen and take in your passport,sign some docs.and it's sorted...it's too easy.

gumtree

f you want to open a bank or credit union account in Australia, you need to pass the '100 point' system to prove your identification.

http://www.australia-migration.com/p..._Australia/190

Pollyana

Which is easy enough as a recent entry stamp in your passport counts for 100 points.

ramlmmjem

Is there any benefit to me opening a bank account now while I'm here in Oz for an interview in case its offered and I accept? Or should I just leave it until we (hopefully!) arrive to start work?

If the answer's yes, any suggestions for a good bank to choose (we'd be based in Adelaide)?

Thanks

Alistair

DaveandLinda

Thanks everyone for their input. Seems pretty straightforward.

seayork2002

As long as you take your passport in in the first six weeks you are there that shuld be all you need, all the banks should accept you otherwise passport is only 40 points out of 100.