ugez009sumi

We are moving to Sydney in a few months and I need to open a bank account. Any ideas as to where I should apply?

I read a while back HSBC had an account for travellers. We are not going to travel we are going to emigrate, so not sure if we apply.

Also I lived in the US for a while and it took some time to build up credit reference, to get credit card, bank account etc.

Is this the same in Aus. Is it easy to get credit cards etc? Also how quickly can you buy a house (get a mortgage) after working, 1 year etc.

Help appreciated.

Regards,

Christian.

bridiej

HSBC will let you keep an existing account, you just need to let them know your new address once you're settled.

Most of the Oz banks allow you to set up an account before you arrive, I've recently set one up with anz, details here https://ola.anz.com/noah/app/dda/wel...sp?apptype=436

Timber Floor Au

House you can self certify as is the case in most countries

Credit Rating re c/cards you need bank history, AUSSIE are a less lenient

Setting Bank acct is straightforward. Take 3 proofs of ID. And you should be rite, drivers license , passport with visa in , centrelink or similar

bridiej

Pretty sure that you can open an account within the first three months with just a passport.

FRAYNE

Hi my husband and i opened an account with st George bank 2 years ago when we were on holiday we just needed our passports, we thought it was a good idea at the time as we new we would be emigrating in the near future Janet

wongstonn

Indeed you can keep your existing UK accounts (and credit cards).

Some firms to promote 'international' accounts, mostly for the jetset executive pack. By recollection, the HSBC (uk) website offers some tips on whether this is worth it. I seem to remember that it said that for tax reasons, there was little benefit in having one of these accounts if one was moving to Australia.

The easiest route to setting up an account in Aus is to go via the London migrant banking section of Commonwealth Bank. This is becasue you can do most of the set-up identifcation checks while in the UK, which means on the other side you do not get so bogged down in 100 point ID check thing since they were able to use your UK address at set-up time. Opening accounts in AUstralia by simply walking in means you would need sufficient IID with your Aussie address to pass the 100 point check. It takes time to get this ID sorted out, so be careful not to leave yourself in financial limbo if you go this route.

Credit cards: well I had (and still have) several UK credit cards with quite large credit limits. Commonwealth Bank gave me a Mastercard with a much lower limit that I requested. The limit was $1000 - which is very inconvenient and stingy. Like in the UK, my credit limit will be reviewed every 6 months so I hope to be 'upped'.

Neil