gogi79

Helloo everyoe ,
I wonder if I can open a bank account in Australia ,while I am on a tourist visa ??

Ushas

Short answer...no.

gogi79

OHH :scared: but Thanx for the quick reply

Pollyana

Although there may be ways and means - My fiance and I managed to open one for me while I was on a tourist visa, he had to vouch for me and they opened it in anticipation of me migrating here to marry him. I could only get an Aus ATM card so couldn't withdraw money in the UK (not that I wanted to), but they did allow my internet access so I could move money regularly from my UK account.
Guess it depends why you want it, and whether you intend coming back to stay.

gogi79

Thanx alot pollyana for ur reply ,I need it to get an Aus ATM card so I hope it will work .

JAJ

An Australian ATM card should work in the UK, although it will attract charges as a 'foreign' transaction.

Jeremy

JAJ

Why would you *want* a bank account in Australia if only on a tourist visa?

Jeremy

moneypenny20

LOL could almost see the brain cogs clicking round then - answer the question then think... why!

gogi79

Well , I know that my credit cards will not work there ,and I dont want to carry alot of cash with me everywhere ,and I might stay for 3 months or more .

JAJ

Why do you think your credit cards won't work?
If your bank participates in the Cirrus or Plus networks, you should be able to access cash from your bank account through Australian ATMs.

What country are you from?

Have you thought of travellers cheques?


You need to have the right visa to do that, and be given the necessary permission on arrival.

Jeremy

CPW

Your credit cards will work in Australia, and you'll be able to use them to withdraw money from automatic cash machines (look for the Cirrus logo on the back, for example). The problem you'll have to think about is how you are going to organise for the bills to be paid when the credit card accounts arrive at your address back home. The easiest way would probably be to give the job to a trusted friend or family member, but you ought to be able to arrange for automatic payment before you go. American Express makes it easy to pay their card bills from abroad, but with the 'ordinary' cards (Visa and MasterCard) it is more difficult to do this.

Qui~Gon

Yes you can at this bank Citi bank its for backpackers but I beleive anyone can open an account I'm thinking of it as I will be spending around 6 months there with may rel's .

Trying to save money on bank commisions

renth

I've opened an Australian bank account with a tourist visa.

In fact, I don't even think they were interested in what sort of visa I had.

gogi79

Thanx alot guys for ur help ,cpw ,qui gon ,and renth if u could remeber the banks name I would be grateful to know it
Thanx alot

Professional Princess

I opened one on a tourist visa.

Spent 6 weeks in Oz last year and opened one with Australia bank.

Dont know if things have changed though, this was a year ago.