Money tips

  • Look for jobs and internships

    Getting a job can be the cash lifeline you need throughout your studies, as well as being a great way to meet new people. If you’re lucky enough to secure an internship during the break too, you could find yourself better placed to join a company on a graduate training program once you graduate.

  • Organise your bill payments

    It’s probably the first time you’ve had to manage basic living ‘stuff’ like paying rent and bills. Getting stung by late payment fees or facing the threat of eviction because you’ve forgotten to pay your rent multiple times, can all be avoided.

    Tip: Set up credit card AutoPayBPAY View® AutoPay, view and update credit card regular payments, or schedule payments so your bills are paid automatically on time, every time (just make sure you have enough balance to cover the payment).

  • Manage your cash flow

    Life on campus can get expensive if you don’t have the right plan in place. Creating a budget can help you save for the fun things you want to do both on and off campus.

    Tip: Use our budget calculator to work out how much money you have to manage each month.

Grab a deal

As a student you may be eligible for student travel concessions – as much as 50% off the standard fare. Keep an eye out for other student discounts on things like cinema tickets, retail shopping and international travel.

You can also buy second hand to get the best deal. When buying things like textbooks consider trying e-books instead, or keep an eye out for second hand textbooks in book stores, book swaps and your student library.

Woman studying

Which product is right for you?

Everyday Account Smart Access 

Bank

Our Everyday Account has no monthly account fees while you’re under 30. 1

  • Access to personalised tools and features in the CommBank app
  • Pay for things online and in-store with your Debit Mastercard®
  • Add your Debit Mastercard to your phone or wearable

Savings accounts

Save

Putting money away into a savings account helps stop the temptation to spend it. But you can still get quick access to your savings with the CommBank app if you need it. Plus, you can make the most of:

  • No monthly account fees
  • Competitive interest rates
  • Bonus interest

CommBank Essentials credit card

Shop

A credit card with a lower limit and lower rate on purchases could help you cover the necessities when money’s a little tight. Learn how to make your credit card work for you:

  • Set up an automatic payment (AutoPay) for your full balance, a set amount, or the minimum amount due
  • A Spending Cap2 can help you manage your spending without permanently decreasing your limit
  • Lock, Block, Limit® your card3 for extra control and security, in real-time using the CommBank app or NetBank
  • Use SurePay4 to break down a large purchase or your balance into fixed monthly instalments over a set term

CommBank Neo interest-free card

Credit card

An interest-free credit card with one simple monthly fee. No interest charges. No late fees. No international transaction fees. No surprise charges. Plus great benefits through CommBank Yello Cashback Offers5.

Things you should know

  • A monthly account fee waiver applies if you’re under 30 years of age, or over 30 and deposit at least $2,000 each calendar month (excludes Bank initiated transactions). You may also be eligible for a different monthly account fee exemption if you have an aged disability or war veterans pension deposited in your account, have a balance of $50,000 or more in eligible contributing accounts, are reliant on over the counter services because of a disability or have an eligible home loan.

    2 Note that some types of transactions made via CommBank branches, telephone, online or mobile banking such as transfers to other accounts, bill payments, assisted cash withdrawals and transactions flagged as recurring (for example, direct debits) or that are not sent to us for authorisation won't be declined. For full terms and conditions of the spending cap, visit NetBank or the CommBank app. Other conditions apply.

    3 Lock, Block, Limit does not apply to transactions that are flagged as recurring (e.g. direct debits) and transactions not sent to us for authorisation. Except for the spending cap, transactions made via Tap & Pay set up on a compatible smartphone or via a PayTag are not blocked. Some transactions made via CommBank branches, telephone, online or mobile banking, including transfers to other accounts, bill payments, and assisted cash withdrawals are also excluded. Other conditions apply. Please see CommBank app or NetBank for full terms and conditions. 

    4 Surepay instalment plans are subject to approval. Instalment plans are not available on Balance Transfers, CommBank Neo cards, non-Awards Business Cards or corporate cards. Section 5 of the Credit Card Conditions of Use (PDF) apply. See commbank.com.au/surepay for further details. Applications for credit are subject to credit assessment and approval. Fees and charges apply. See Credit Card Conditions of Use (PDF) for full terms and conditions.

    5The CommBank Yello Cashback Offers program (‘CommBank Yello Cashback Offers’) rewards you with cashback after you activate (where required) an offer presented to you via the CommBank app and you make a purchase in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of that offer. Cashback is typically received within 14 business days of a qualifying purchase, but in some cases may take longer. If you are not already enrolled, you can enrol if you are at least 18 years old, hold an eligible CommBank credit Mastercard or debit Mastercard, Business credit Mastercard or StepPay digital card, and meet the ‘Base eligibility criteria’ in the ‘CommBank Yello Terms and Conditions’ (latest version available on our website at commbank.com.au) (‘CommBank Yello’). Your participation in CommBank Yello Cashback Offers is governed by the full Terms and Conditions available in the CommBank app.

    The following changes to CommBank Rewards apply from 6 November 2023:

    The program name will change to CommBank Yello Cashback Offers program; You will need to meet the ‘Base eligibility criteria’ in the ‘CommBank Yello Terms and Conditions’ (latest version available on our website at commbank.com.au) (‘CommBank Yello’).

    Full terms and conditions of the CommBank app are available on the app. The CommBank app is free to download however your mobile network provider charges you for accessing data on your phone. Find out about the minimum operating system requirements on the CommBank app page. NetBank access with NetCode SMS is required.

    The target market for these products will be found within the product’s Target Market Determination, available here.

    The advice on this website has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of that, you should, before acting on the advice, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances. Please view our Financial Services Guide (PDF). See full terms and conditions for the transaction and savings accounts (PDF) and Electronic Banking (PDF), also available at any branch of the Commonwealth Bank.

    BPAY is a registered trademark of BPAY Pty Limited ABN 69 079 137 518.

    Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.