Lee and Maria

Hi all,

Wanted to get some advice on bank accounts while on a WHV.

Is it best to just use our UK accounts or open accounts in OZ?

Will we have any difficulty getting paid from working, or withdrawing money if we use our UK accounts?

Thanks.

wannabauzzienurse

You'll need an Australian bank account if your employer wants to pay you direct to bank account (to pay into your UK account they will have to pay telegraphic transfer fee each time!) It's easy to open an account and you can still keep your UK account open for when you go back.

Mikeyc

You will want a bank that has Australia wide ATM’s, in cities and towns, so stay away from banks like HSBC, St George, Bank of QLD etc etc.

Whenever I have had friends come over on a WHV they have always opened an account with either Commonwealth Bank or ANZ (the only thing now is ANZ require backpackers to lodge something like 3k to open the account).

So try something like Commonwealth bank as they have their network across the country, 24/7 call centre if you get stuck etc etc and are in every little town and big city.

Keep in mind that the banks here have high fees. Citibank has no fees, but that’s only if you will be depositing $3,000 in every month (wages), but I wouldn’t recommend them on the WHV as they have very few branches.

Stick with Commonwealth or ANZ, or at least one of the “Big 4”.

Mikey

roxyinitalia

I opened an account with Westpac via internet and the account info was sent to our home 10 days after. I am also arriving on a WHV. if you deposit more than 3k then you don't have to pay the monthly fees.

good luck

samgeordie

When my husband and I were in oz on a WHV we opened an account with the Commonwealth Bank, we did it prior to arriving in oz then just went into our nearest branch and they activated the account once we had shown our passports. You will need an australian bank account especially if you intend to work and it also helps when renting a flat etc.