Moving to Australia / Banking

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Bank account options

Everyday Account Smart Access

EVERYDAY BANK ACCOUNT

Open a CommBank account up to three months before you arrive in Australia, or up to three months after you arrive. You’ll need to visit a branch once you arrive in Australia and provide identification documents and tax residency details before you can use your new account.

Features & benefits

Rates & fees

Apply via this page and we will waive the Monthly Account Fee for the first year.5  After this, a monthly fee applies unless you’re eligible for a further waiver.6 
See all rates and fees.

Open account

Everyday Account Smart Access for students

STUDENT BANK ACCOUNT

Open your student bank account up to three months before you arrive in Australia, or up to three months after you arrive. You’ll need to visit a branch once you arrive in Australia and provide identification documents and tax residency details before you can use your new account.

Features & benefits

Rates & fees

Apply via this page and we’ll waive the Monthly Account Fee for the first year.7  Show your student ID or enrolment letter when you’re identified in branch and we’ll waive the Monthly Account Fee while you study with Student Options.
See all rates and fees.
 

Open account

Who can apply?

You can apply if you:

  • Are aged 14 years and over8
  • Will arrive in Australia in the next three months or;
  • Have arrived in Australia in the past three months
  • Are opening the account in your personal name 

 

If you are already in Australia and arrived more than three months ago, please apply here. 

How to apply

1. Complete the short application form

We recommend:

  • You have your passport with you when completing this form
  • You know the city you will be staying in when you arrive
  • You know your entry visa information

 

2. Visit a branch

Once you get to Australia, visit your chosen branch to collect your Debit Mastercard.10 Make sure you bring:

  • Your current passport (original document required)
  • Your Tax Identification Number (TIN) for each country of foreign tax residency
  • Your student ID or letter of enrolment (students only)

3. Download the CommBank app or log on to NetBank

Start banking straight away after your identification check. Download the CommBank app2 or log on to NetBank to: 

About the application process

  • You should complete the application form with your Australian details if you know them ahead of your move. For example, if you know your new Australian address, apply using that. If not, use your overseas address
  • Once you have completed the application form you will need to identify yourself and provide your tax residency information in branch in Australia before you can use your account, including full access to NetBank and the CommBank app
  • If any of your documents are in a foreign language you’ll need to get them translated into English by a professional translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI), or an equivalent accreditation.

Ready to open your bank account?

Open your Everyday Account Smart Access in a few minutes.

 

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We can help

Things you should know

1 To gain full access to your account, an Australian residential address will need to be provided when you visit a Commonwealth Bank of Australia branch to be identified. 

2 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.

3 Cardless cash is available from any CommBank ATM. Withdrawals are limited to a total of $500 per day. CommBank app, NetBank, NetCode and account access required. Full conditions on app.

4 Lock, Block and Limit enables customers with card account access to lock certain transaction types and unlock them only when needed. Excludes transaction flagged as recurring (e.g. direct debits), and transactions not sent to us for authorisation, or made via Tap & Pay set up on an Android device. Other conditions apply. 

5 We’ll automatically apply a waiver to the Monthly Account Fee for 12 months on the Smart Access account if you apply via this webpage. Find out more about rates and fees.

6 After the initial 12 month period, a monthly fee applies unless you are eligible for a further waiver. A Monthly Account Fee waiver will also apply if you’re under 25 years of age, or if you 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. Find out more about rates and fees.

7 The Smart Access account you open via this webpage will have the Monthly Account Fee automatically waived for 12 months. If your studies are longer than 12 months, you will need to visit a branch and present your current student ID or letter of enrolment to extend the waiver beyond 12 months. The Monthly Account Fee waiver will be applied based on the expiry date listed on your student ID or enrolment letter. If your study exceeds 5 years, you will need to visit a branch and present your student ID again after the 5 years to continue receiving the waiver. Find out more about rates and fees.

8 If you are aged under 14 years of age, please apply for a Smart Access Account for Youth once you arrive. 

9 To ensure that your card is ready and waiting for you at your chosen branch, you must have opened your account online more than 7 days before arriving in Australia. If you opened your account less than 7 days before, or after you arrive in Australia, or you opened your account as a student, your Debit Mastercard will be mailed out to your Australian address once ID has been verified in branch. 

10 The recipient needs to have an Australian bank account (with BSB and account number) and have an active mobile phone number.

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. Full terms and conditions for the transaction and savings accounts mentioned and Electronic Banking are available here or from any branch of the Commonwealth Bank.

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