bigdave764

We are moving to Sydney from the UK in January.

In the UK, I have a long and unblemished credit history (confirmed by checking Experian). Is there any known way I can leverage this to get an $AUS credit card on or before arrival in Australia, with a decent credit limit (e.g. $20-30k)?

I have already spoken to ANZ (with whom I have just opened a current account) and they aren't able (willing) to help. Are there any other providers who can?

Will it make any difference if I get banking or mortgage references from my UK providers?

Cheers,

Dave

The Bloke

Any UK credit history is not worth a cracker to Australian banks, businesses etc etc, especially for that amount you require. Most wouldn't know, or care, who Experian was.

cranston

If you have an American Express card they might transfer your limit.

or

HSBC have helped many expats - if you are an existing customer that is.

Because of the global credit crunch banks are being more cautious then they have been.

bobbyfaescotland

I got a Gold Mastercard from the commonwealth bank after only being here for six weeks. I think as long as you have money in the bank and a job it will be okay.

Bobby

yanH

I'd agree with this. When we first arrived the Commonwealth Bank opened a bank account for us with no problem. They said not to apply for a credit card straight away but to wait until the first salary payment was made. We did this and got approved for a card no problem.

DrWho

Yup... We bank with Westpac who have a Migrant Banking division who OK'd a $30k credit card for us...

DrWho

Ha! I had a Platinum Amex card for many years in the UK and applied for a Wizard card here (there's some tie up with AMEX - they do the same rewards so you can transfer to Virgin air miles) and despite it asking for your current or previous AMEX card number they wouldn't even give me a card with a lousy $5k on it...! :curse:

Wol

HSBC would only give $1000 limit - useless (And I was a customer!)

Virgin gave $20k immediately - try them.

bigdave764

Do I need to wait until I am in Australia before I can apply for any of these banks, or can I apply for the credit card before leaving the UK?

Cheers,

Dave

esperanza

I waited until I had a job,then got a credit card a couple of months after we arrived with no problems. Apparently the system here is different to the UK - they aren't looking for a long record of good credit, they just want to see that you don't have anything bad on your record. (Apparently! I don't have any reference for this)
One thing about Amex though, is that a lot of places won't accept it (in my experience anyway) I don't know why - higher charges maybe?
You don't have to have an aussie credit card immediately anyway, just use your UK one. Check the charges, and if you need to then open a low-charge/no-charge one before you set off. Nationwide have one with no charges I think - or they did a few months ago.

NickyC

Quite true. Credit Bureaus here only record adverse info (bankruptcies, defaults etc) and applications for credit. They don't know what credit has been granted to you - only what you've applied for. There's nothing on it that relates to 'good' behaviour so there's no point in trying to build a credit rating as in the UK.

GaryKristensen

You need proof of income and being a PR helps.

We got $26,900 in our first week of being here.

You can't apply for one from the UK as you need to present 100 points of ID to the bank, same as when you arrive to verify or open your account.

Centurion

Re American Express.

Yes you can transfer your card to American Express Australia. Speak to Amex and they will contact Amex Australia who will then transfer the same card type to you. They will also happily give you a credit card to match the charge card.

Also they will also credit all reward points you have on the card and apply a conversion rate of x 2.5 to make up the difference in what australian dollar points are worth.

As usual top rate service from them. But of course you pay for this in your annual membership.

@boy

ANZ won't be unique with this response.

wullieb1

I got a gold Altitiude card from Westpac about 4 weeks after i arrived.

Tried both the HSBC and Bank of Queensland and got nowhere with them.

Couldn't even get finance for a car. I did however get finance from St George through a dealer.