The visa you travel on will detail if you can work in Australia and some of the conditions around working here. If you're planning on working and earning money, you'll need an Australian bank account to be paid into. Even if you decide not to work in Australia, you may find it easier to open an Australian bank account anyway, to help you cut down on international transaction fees and split bills with friends more easily.
Once you arrive in Australia and before you start working, you'll need to get a Tax File Number (TFN). If you don't have a TFN before you start working, you may be taxed at the highest marginal tax rate.
Opening an Australian bank account
You can open a CommBank account up to 14 days before you arrive in Australia. However, to gain full access to your account, you'll need to have your ID checked at a branch once you arrive.
What to do when you arrive
When you arrive in Australia, you'll need to visit the CommBank branch listed in your welcome letter to finish setting up your account. This is an important step, because we need to check your ID before you can use your account.
Don't forget to take these with you to the branch:
- Your passport
- Your Tax Identification Number (TIN) for each country of foreign tax residency
- A copy of your welcome letter
- If you're a student, your student ID or letter of enrolment
Once we've checked your ID, you can download the CommBank app and begin to use your account. Your Debit Mastercard® should be waiting for you at your chosen branch1, but if it isn’t, you can still get cash out using Cardless Cash until it arrives.
Once you have your Debit Mastercard®, you can use your smartphone or smartwatch to make payments without your debit card. You can also check what, where and how much you're spending with Spend Tracker in the CommBank app.
You may want to get an Australian SIM card so you can use data more freely than using international roaming from your home country. Many telecommunications companies in Australia let you get prepaid mobile plans which include international calls and texts, without the need for a contract. Make sure you unlock your phone before you arrive, so you can use it with an Australian telco company.
Other things to think about before you arrive in Australia
Organise any necessary insurance cover for your trip, such as travel and health insurance. This can give you peace of mind while you're exploring. If you do get insurance, make sure you know what you're covered for and what you're not, so you can avoid any surprises later on. You may also be eligible for a Medicare card, which entitles you to subsidised health care while you're in Australia.
Before you arrive, you may also want to sort out temporary accommodation for the start of your trip, and start looking for potential jobs.
After your holiday and before you leave Australia for good, you should close your bank account so you don’t get charged any ongoing account fees. You can visit any branch with appropriate identification or call 132 221 6am to 10pm to close your CommBank account.
