Moving to Australia from New Zealand?
Get all information you need to make a successful and stress-free move across the ditch.
We’d like to introduce you to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, which is known to Aussies as CommBank.
Meet the bank more new arrivals choose.
CommBank is Australia’s largest bank. They’ve been helping Australian dreams come true since 1911, and support more people moving to Australia than any other bank.
Editors Note: My husband and I are both with Commonwealth and we love them! Coming form NZ we expect a high level of customer service and Commonwealth has exceed both of our expectations!
I waited until I arrived in Australia to open my account, while my husband opened his online before we left (https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/)… Bummer!
I didn’t have the paperwork they needed and ended up leaving the bank and opening the account online like my husband did. While he left the bank with his eftpos card and started living right away.
If you go directly into an Australian bank and ask them to set you up an account, you will need a rental agreement (or similar) before you can withdraw your money. See Ren’s comment below. If you setup an account before you leave, all you need is your passport. Learn from our mistakes!
With a variety of products and services, you can get your banking sorted in no time. Find helpful hints and tips about moving to Australia by visiting their Moving to Australia webpage:
Tips and guidance about moving to Australia are available on CommBank’s website.
Make your move to Australia smoother.
To help you transition to a new life and job, CommBank has made a short Welcome to Australia video that explains how to get started with your banking when you arrive.
You can also watch it here: https://youtu.be/2il-xb4WflE
Want to know more? CommBank has put together a fantastic resource about banking in Australia that will answer all your questions, including:
Apologies for the FAQ documents not being available.
I will upload them as soon as I have received the new FAQ docs from CommBank.
CommBank is excited to welcome you to Australia.
Things you should know: Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 is a company incorporated in Australia with limited liability and subject to Australian regulation.
Commonwealth Bank has been helping customers move their finances to Australia since 1949. Our dedicated International Premier and Retail Banking team are only a phone call or email away.
Moving to Australia is more than a change of address. It’s a brand-new lifestyle to navigate. But first, there’s the admin. Commonwealth Bank can quickly organise your bank account today. So there’s one less thing to worry about when you arrive (apply two weeks before you leave for Australia).
As Australia’s leading provider of integrated financial services, Commonwealth Bank combines strength and security with the backing of specialist teams, services and an extensive range of flexible and competitively priced products.
You are going to need a bank account, so learn from my mistake and open an account before you go. Open an Australian bank account in less than 4 mins. Save time, money and stress! Pick up your eftpos card when you arrive and start living.
Apply online for an Australian bank account now!
Visit the CommBank branch mentioned in your Welcome Letter to confirm your identification. CommBank will then activate your account.
If you need help finding the branch, visit commbank.com.au/locateus and type in the branch’s name to get a map showing its location.
You’ll need to bring the following documents with you for the identification process:
Those who apply online within seven days before arriving in Australia won’t receive their debit card at the branch. Instead, CommBank asks you to confirm the address you’d like your card sent to after being appropriately identified in the branch.
Once CommBank confirms your identity, you can withdraw money from the account and access all of its digital features, such as NetBank and the CommBank app.
Commonwealth used to allow you to transfer money into your new account before you arrived in Australia, which is ready to use when you collect your eftpos card. Unfortunately, because of Australia’s anti-money laundering laws, they can no longer accept funds before you arrive in Australia. So, to get around this, you should do the following:
Please note that if you do this early enough in the day, you will receive the funds the same day. Worst case, the following day. You do not need to transfer all your funds into Australian dollars at once; you can transfer a small amount for initial use and then watch the exchange rate and transfer the bulk of your money when there is a favourable exchange rate, or you can set up rate alerts with XE, and you’ll get notified when your desired rate is triggered.
I have got a few enquiries about this recently. Australian banks are no longer able to offer the joint account option online. You will need to open two individual accounts and request a joint account at a CommBank Branch when you activate your account and collect your eftpos card.
If you and your partner are arriving in Australia at different times, you will need to wait to open the joint Australian bank account until you are both in Australia.
The below posts might also be of interest to you:
If you’ve read the above content and the answer to your question isn’t there, please write a comment below and I’ll research the answer for you.
If you need advice on moving to Australia from New Zealand, I’ve created a helpful little questionnaire to point you in the right direction. It takes less than 30 seconds, so give it a go!
Hi… I’m JJ Smith.
I’m the creator and editor of Moving to Australia and have been for 15 years! I know everything there is to know about New Zealanders moving their families and life to Australia. Either from first hand experiences and research or through the questions from visitors to this website… and I’m here to help!
I love helping people via Moving to Australia.
Providing the answers to questions we all ask when deciding whether to make the move from New Zealand to Australia. Even giving individual specific advice where needed.
I have learned a lot over the last 15 years from personal experience and through interacting with visitors. This is my job, making sure the information here is comprehensive and up to date.
If you would like to help me, you can use one of my referral partners.
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Rose
September 5, 2024 at 11:22 amHi JJ
I am planning to relocate to Brisbane this month, have a job. Not 100% sure if Aussie is for us. So will be trying it out while the rest of my family stays in NZ. I want to open an bank account, do I need to get a TIN? I read somewhere in your blog saying that for 6 months we don’t have to declare tax in Aussie. I am planning to try out Aussie for 6 months, if it’s the place for us we will all move otherwise stay in NZ.
JJ Smith
September 9, 2024 at 4:22 pmHi Rose,
Thanks for your comment.
It’s hard to know if it’s going to be the right move for you and your family, so well done on trying it out first! My husband did the same thing for us.
If you register for a bank account through my link then you do not need a TFN because it is specifically designed for newly arrived resident’s: https://www.commbank.com.au/MAP127.
Here is my post on Australian tax so you know where you stand: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/australian-tax/. You can always get a TFN to save on tax and not use it after 6 months.
Hope the above helps.
Johann Stoove
April 18, 2024 at 12:16 pmHi JJ Smith.
Thanks for all the information provided, its been really helpful.
Curious to know on how secure the website Xe is with my information, have you had any problems?
JJ Smith
April 29, 2024 at 4:07 pmHi Johann,
Thank you for your comment and sorry for the delay in replying.
I’m so pleased you are finding my site helpful.
Myself, my family and thousands of my visitors have been using XE for over 15 years. I have never been informed of any problems regarding data protection. I’d say it would be of the upmost importance to them as without it, who would trust them.
The only issue I have ever had feedback on, was from a client who didn’t receive their funds in time. Unfortunately this was not XE’s fault, the deadline was impossible (immediately).
If you have any particular questions, I would be happy to put you in touch with my XE representative. He’s always willing to answer any questions.
Thanks
Edel
January 11, 2024 at 10:06 amHi
If I have westpac account will that be ok?
Regards
JJ Smith
January 23, 2024 at 12:35 pmHi,
You will still need to open a bank account in Australia.
New Zealand and Australia banks, even though they might share the same name, are different companies, they don’t talk to each other or share files, and you’re required to open a new account with an Australian bank.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Thanks
Edel
March 7, 2024 at 9:36 pmHi there
Thanks for your reply to my question about a bank account.
If you don’t mind my asking another question. Do we have to apply for the Australian superannuation? I’ll be 66 and a half in September this year and am moving to Perth in June.
Thanks again for your help.
JJ Smith
March 11, 2024 at 11:49 amHi Edel,
You need to apply for the Australian age pension. Have a read of this post as it gives you all the information you require: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/australian-age-pension/.
If you haven’t worked in Australia then you won’t have an Australian Super. Do you have KiwiSaver?
If you leave New Zealand permanently to live in Australia you won’t be able to withdraw your KiwiSaver funds. Instead, you can choose between leaving your funds in your KiwiSaver scheme or transferring it to an Australian superannuation scheme.
If you’re about to become a non-resident of New Zealand for tax purposes (‘officially’ moved to Australia!) or are already living in Australia, you will be taxed at a rate of 28% on the investment earnings in your KiwiSaver each year.
Here are some posts you should read about KiwiSaver and Australian Super:
– Australian Super – https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/australian-super/
– I am emigrating – can I withdraw my KiwiSaver funds early?, Citizens Advice Bureau – https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00001963
– KiwiSaver for your Home Deposit – https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/kiwisaver-for-your-home-deposit/
– Getting my KiwiSaver savings when I move overseas, IRD – https://www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver/kiwisaver-individuals/getting-my-kiwisaver-funds-early/getting-my-kiwisaver-funds-when-i-move-overseas
I hope the above helps answer your question.
Akshita
November 28, 2023 at 5:17 pmHi JJ, thanks for so much useful information. I am looking to relocate to Sydney, Australia next month. I tried opening an account online with CommBank while in NZ but after submitting the information there seemed to be an error. However, I received an email confirmation for NetBank. Now I am not too sure if my online account has been set up or not. Do you have any useful customer service contacts that could help me out? Any other suggestion would be very useful 🙂
JJ Smith
November 30, 2023 at 10:45 amHi Akshita,
Thank you for your comment.
Netbank is CommBank’s online portal, so you have setup an account successfully!
However, you should have received a welcome letter too, which outlines the next steps to confirm your identification so CommBank can activate your account. You can find further info on this in my Open an Australian Bank Account post: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/open-an-australian-bank-account/.
CommBank have amazing customer service, so you can contact them at any stage and they will be more than happy to help: https://www.commbank.com.au/support/contact-us.html.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Akshita
November 30, 2023 at 3:22 pmHi JJ,
Thank you for your prompt response. Per your suggestion, I contacted their customer service who did confirm that the account has been set up and that I need to visit their branch once I arrive in Sydney.
Fingers crossed all works out 🙂
Many thanks again for your help and your fabulous website!
Cheers
Eric
November 28, 2023 at 9:00 amHi JJ, I am moving to Australia this weekend. However, I do not have a physical letter from IRD. Can I show them an email or print out a copy of an email from IRD about a student loan? Thanks
JJ Smith
November 28, 2023 at 11:11 amHi Eric,
How exciting for you!
Yes, a print out from the IRD that includes your IRD number should be accepted. Not a lot of physical postage going on these days.
If you log into your myIR you can print out a letter from there: https://myir.ird.govt.nz/_/.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Eric
November 28, 2023 at 12:45 pmThanks JJ. Would a print-out need to be certified by a Justice of Peace or similar?
JJ Smith
November 28, 2023 at 3:13 pmNo. If you print out a letter, from the ‘I want to’ section under myIR, it will be on IRD letterhead and that’s enough proof.
You can always login in the branch if they have a problem.
Thanks JJ
Clifford Baschuk
June 7, 2023 at 7:18 pmHi, we are planning to move to Australia which depends on me getting a job in Australia before we decide.
My question is regarding medical, confirm that we need to wait 6 months before we are able to receive Aus medical treatment from local GP once we get our medical card?
Is it recommended to get private medical insurance during this 6 month wait?
JJ Smith
June 19, 2023 at 12:44 pmHi Clifford,
Have a read of my Medicare Australia post (https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/medicare-australia/) and my Australian Healthcare System post (https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/australian-health-care-system/).
You can enrol in Medicare immediately (recommended a week after you arrive) if you provide proof that you’ll be living in Australia for the next 6 months. You can enrol any time in the 6 months after you first arrive in Australia.
Until you enrol, you can get care under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement. This covers essential treatment in a public hospital. You can’t enrol or get a Medicare card until you prove you live in Australia.
The Reciprocal Health Care Agreement between New Zealand and Australia provides temporary coverage for medically necessary care in a public hospital and access to prescription medications at a lower price. However, it is important to note that it is only designed as a temporary measure and longer-term treatment may require returning to New Zealand.
Hope the above has answered your questions.
Yvonne Watson
June 2, 2023 at 9:37 pmHi my husband and I are retired and we will be moving to Australia mid 2024 to be closer to our son we have 2 properties to sell and will be buying once we arrive my husband is a little concerned about using foreign exchange company’s to transfer large amounts of money a bit old fashion how safe are these foreign exchange company’s
Thanks
Yvonne
JJ Smith
June 6, 2023 at 4:17 pmHi Yvonne,
Thanks for your comment.
I understand how daunting it can be to use a new online service.
The great thing about XE is you can talk to someone before you commit to the transfer. You can call Simon my contact at XE on 021906855. They have an office in Auckland that you can visit.
You will need to register for an account first so that you are in their system. It’s free to set up an account.
If you are transferring over $100,000 a XE team member will call to discuss your requirements. They do this for security purposes and because they have fantastic customer service.
If you still aren’t sure, do your own research on XE and you’ll see what a large global company they are.
I only promote companies that I use myself and trust.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Alex
December 5, 2022 at 7:21 pmHelp – I cannot find my answer anywhere, including by phoning the bank in Australia!
I want to open a joint account with my partner in New Zealand, before we arrive in Australia. He will arrive in Australia within the required 20 days to be sighted. But I won’t arrive for another few weeks.. possibly a month. What happens then?
1. If we open a joint account, do we both need to be sighted in branch within 20days?
2. If both of us are NOT sighted within 20days, does that mean no-one can use the account? or only one of us can? What happens?
What we are trying to achieve is a joint account that we can both send/receive/use, with my partner arriving before me.
JJ Smith
December 6, 2022 at 1:05 pmHi Alex,
Thank you for your comment.
I actually had a comment about a joint account yesterday so I emailed my contact at CommBank.
He has confirmed that the joint account option is not available online anymore. You will need to open 2 individual accounts and request a joint account at a CommBank Branch.
How this would work for you, is your partner would request a new account online and pick up his eftpos card in the CommBank branch when he arrives.
When you are two weeks away from moving, you would request a new account online and when you go to pick up your eftpos card from the CommBank branch, take your partner and they will set up the joint account then.
Hopefully the above answers your question.
Karly
December 5, 2022 at 10:50 amHi,
Thank you for your website – it is amazing!!!
Quick question, my husband and I have a joint bank account in NZ, but it looks like we have to setup separate bank accounts when applying online before we arrive. Is this correct? Or are we able to apply for a joint bank account before we arrive?
Thanks Karly
Haylee
July 27, 2022 at 8:09 pmHi JJ, love your content! Just wanted to ask, would any Tax Residency letter received from NZ IRD be sufficient? i.e. a letter that states my student loan with my IRD number in the corner? Or is it best for me to email IRD NZ and ask if they can send through an email specifically stating my IRD number – for when I bring it in to present to the designated commonwealth bank that is recommended when I receive the welcome letter.
Hope this question makes sense 🙂
JJ Smith
July 28, 2022 at 1:38 pmHi Haylee,
Thanks for your comment.
Yes, any letter from the IRD that includes your IRD number is sufficient
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
John
May 14, 2022 at 12:14 pmWe have retired into Australia from New Zealand…
Banking options were easily sorted, but credit cards are not.
If you are funded by overseas income/ pension and not earning with a job in Australia, stops getting credit card. You need to keep your overseas credit cards going to use in Australia.