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Moving to Australia / Open an Australian bank account

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Everyday Account Smart Access with Debit Mastercard

To help make your move easier, you can open an account with us up to 14 days before you arrive in Australia, or up to 12 months after you arrive.1

Once you arrive in Australia, simply visit your preferred CommBank branch to verify your identification and collect your Debit Mastercard to start using your account instantly.2

You can use your Debit Mastercard to shop in-store or online in Australia and overseas, pay bills, and get paid into this account. Plus, you can view your card details digitally in the CommBank app for instant access.

Open now

Here’s what you get

  • A better everyday bank account

    • An account with Australia’s largest bank3
    • Hassle-free set-up – you don’t need an Australian address to set up the account1
    • Access to personalised tools and features with the CommBank app
    • A physical and digital Debit Mastercard
    • Ability to shop online and in-store in Australia and overseas
    • Quick and convenient international money transfers, with competitive rates
    • $0 ATM withdrawal fees at many ATMs across Australia, including other major bank ATMs4
    • Ability to withdraw money from CommBank ATMs using Cardless Cash5
    • An account you can get paid into and pay bills from
    • Ability to add your Debit Mastercard to your CommBank Tap & Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay mobile or wearable
    • Quick and easy payments to friends using just their Australian mobile number6
    • An account for you or with someone else

     

    Benefits and rewards

    • Cashback7 on your favourite brands once you’re eligible for CommBank Yello Cashback Offers
    • Exclusive offers tailored to you
    • Discounts on your bills with mobile, internet and electricity partner offers

  • Smarter digital banking tools

    • Protection from losses due to unauthorised transactions on personal and business accounts when you take the necessary steps to stay safe online
    • Added security of real-time transaction notifications
    • Bill Sense  - Manage and predict your future bills and regular payments
    • Spend Tracker - Track and categorise your spending
    • Category Budgets - Create smart budgets in an instant
    • Lock & unlock your Debit Mastercard - for online, contactless or in-store payment security8

     

    Support to manage your financial future

Bank account options

Everyday Account Smart Access

Apply via the ‘Open account’ button below and we’ll waive the monthly account fee for the first year.9 After this, a monthly fee applies unless you’re under 30 or eligible for a further waiver.10

Open account

Everyday Account Smart Access for students

Apply via the ‘Open account’ button below and we’ll waive the monthly account fee if you’re under 30. We’ll also waive the monthly fee if you meet other conditions.10 See all rates and fees.

Open account

Why choose CommBank?

Australia’s largest bank3

With an extensive branch and ATM network across the country.

Australia’s most popular banking app11

Tap into personalised tools and easily manage your money from wherever you are.

Unlock everyday rewards

We reward you with cashback and offers when you spend at popular brands with CommBank Yello Offers.7

Keeping your account safe is our priority

We’ll protect you from losses due to unauthorised transactions on personal and business accounts when you take the necessary steps to stay safe online.

Who can apply?

  • You can apply if you:

    • Are aged 14 years or over12
    • Are opening the account in your personal name 
    • Will arrive in Australia in the next 14 days, or;
    • Have arrived in Australia in the past 12 months

    Note, we are unable to accept tourist visas under subclass 600, 601 or 651

  • If you are already in Australia and arrived more than 12 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’ll 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.2 You'll need to provide your ID for verification within 20 days of opening your account, or your account may automatically close. You can reapply at any CommBank branch.

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 ID check. Download the CommBank app13 or log on to NetBank.

About the application process

    1. You should complete the application form with your Australian details if you know them. For example, if you know your new Australian address, apply using that. If you don’t, use your overseas address
    2. Once you’ve completed the application form, you’ll need to visit your chosen branch to identify yourself and provide your tax residency information before you can start using your account and gain full access to the CommBank app and NetBank
    3. 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.

 

Open now

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 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. 

    3 ASX 200 list Australia’s primary stock market index; "ASX 200 List (1 May 2019)"; The Commonwealth Bank of Australia Annual Report 2018

    4 Independent ATM providers may charge a withdrawal fee.

    5 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.

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

    7 The 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.

    8 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. 

    9 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 30 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.

    10 A monthly account fee waiver will apply if you’re under 30 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.

    11 Based on most active app users as at 12 October 2023.

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

    13 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 this product 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. 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.

    Mastercard and the Mastercard brand mark are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.