We’d like to introduce you to Commonwealth Bank of Australia. They’re 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.
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 website:
Tips and guidance about moving to Australia available on CommBank’s website.
Make your move to Australia smoother.
To make your transition to a new life and job easier, 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? Visit their frequently asked questions (FAQs) page. Choose from below:
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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 combine 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 mistakes 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.
Editors Note: My husband and I both are 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/).
Silly me! 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. Learn from my mistake!
Apply online for an Australian bank account now!
If there is anything else you would like to know about, please ask me a question using the below comment system and I will do my best to find the information you need.
Hi… I’m JJ Smith.
I’m the creator and editor of Moving to Australia and have been for 10 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!
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LINDEN BRACKSTONE
February 20, 2020 at 6:44 amHi there, how strict are they on visiting your chosen branch in person to activate the account with your passport to prove identity. I mistakenly picked the wrong branch and will be going into Adelaide first for a week before settling in Queensland. Surely they can do the identity process in any branch, any experience with this?
Cheers
Linden
JJ Smith
February 24, 2020 at 1:29 amHi Linden,
Thanks for your comment.
I will email my contact at CommBank and see if there is anything he can do. They maybe able to forward the doc’s to a Queensland branch instead.
I will let you know when I hear back from them and if you can select a brunch that would help the process: https://www.commbank.com.au/digital/locate-us/.
Thanks
CommBank Team
February 24, 2020 at 1:32 amHi,
Thank you for your email.
Please let Linden know any CBA Branch can be visited in Australia for identification.
Preference is the chosen Branch but sometimes it may not be possible.
Regards
CommBank Team
JJ Smith
February 24, 2020 at 1:34 amHi Linden,
Hope you’ve seen the above reply from CommBank. You are able to visit any branch for identification.
There customer service is fantastic and if you have any questions in the future I recommend you give them a call or email: https://www.commbank.com.au/moving-to-australia/international-banking-team.html?pid=47272&q=&sc_psk=143163&sc_crkey=353628772533&c.
Have a lovely afternoon.
Thanks
Penny
September 30, 2019 at 8:16 amKia Ora
I am moving to Brisbane permanently August 2020. I intend to open a Commonwealth Account two weeks before arriving. I will still need to send money back to my Westpac Account in NZ, what is the best, cheapest, easiest way to do that? Or would it be more beneficial to open an AU Westpac Account when I arrive?
JJ Smith
October 9, 2019 at 12:24 amHi Penny,
Thank you for your comment.
I highly recommend you use XE for your money transfer. You can use any combination of banks and they give you a more competitive rate without the fees the banks charge. Read this post: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/foreign-exchange-money-transfer/.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Vivian
July 31, 2019 at 2:33 amHi, how do I keep paying my debt(not student loan) that I have with ASB after I move to Australia?
Thanks!
JJ Smith
August 12, 2019 at 1:53 amHi Vivian,
Thank you for your comment. Sorry for the delay in replying.
You will be able to transfer money into your ASB account from Australia. From there you will be able to transfer it where ever you need.
I do recommend you setup an account with XE or OFX, which will save you transfer fees and get you the best foreign exchange rate. Read this post which explains money transfer: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/foreign-exchange-money-transfer/.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Misty
March 17, 2019 at 11:27 pmHi, I just send you guys a message but I have another question:) I currently bank with westpac here and I’ve just opened up an Australian westpac account. Would it be okay to start putting money in that account? Sort of as a savings account, so that when we do move over our money will be in that bank account, and I can close my New Zealand one. Thanks!
JJ Smith
March 17, 2019 at 11:29 pmHi Misty,
That’s great that you have already setup a bank account. Sorry but I don’t know exactly how Westpac accounts work. I know you are able to transfer funds into a Commonwealth account as soon as it is setup and I don’t see why this would be any different.
I do recommend you transfer money using XE or OFX rather than your bank. You will save the $10-$25 fee on each transfer and get a better rate: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/foreign-exchange-money-transfer/. It is simple to setup an account and schedule transfers.
Good luck with your move.
Jodie
December 19, 2018 at 9:15 pmHi, are we still able to open an account with commonwealth if we are unemployed? I am moving to Brisbane and will be seeking full time employment once I arrive.
JJ Smith
December 19, 2018 at 10:57 pmHi Jodie,
Thank you for your comment.
Yes you are able to open a Commonwealth Bank account while unemployed and looking for work.
The only condition is that you deposit AU$50 within 6 weeks of opening the account.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.