Opening a bank account in Australia: Guide for Kiwis (2025)

Australia and New Zealand are close, with citizens able to move back and forth relatively freely. If you’re a Kiwi planning to move to Australia, one of the things you’ll need to think about is how to manage your money day to day.

Having Australian account details makes it simpler for you to be paid, withdraw cash and make payments in AUD. In this guide, we’ll explain how to open an Australian bank account as a New Zealander, including the processes, documents, and what to look out for. We’ll also introduce you to five accounts that you may be able open; four from Australian banks and the Wise account.

Can I open a bank account in Australia from New Zealand

In Australia, there’s no legislation stopping foreigners from opening a bank account. So, as a New Zealander, you can open an Australian bank account provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

The question of whether you can open an account while you’re still in New Zealand is less cut and dry. In general, you have to be in Australia to open an Australian bank account. Some of the banks will allow you to start the application process from abroad, but require you to come into a branch for verification before the account features are fully activated.

If you need to get Australian account details without leaving New Zealand, Wise is always an option. You can open a Wise account online, then get local account details for 8+, including AUD, NZD and even EUR, GBP and USD.

👉🏻 Learn more about the Wise multi-currency account

What do you need to open a bank account in Australia

What you need to open a bank account in Australia can vary between institutions, but you’ll generally be asked for:

• Proof of ID, such as a New Zealand passport
• A valid visa or proof of residency or New Zealand citizenship
• Proof that you’re a student if applying for a student account
• Information about your residency for tax purposes

You’ll also be asked for your personal information, such as an email address, phone number, your full name, date of birth and residential address. Depending on the bank, your residential address and phone number may need to be Australian.

How to open a bank account in Australia

If the bank allows online applications, the process is usually:

1. Head to your chosen bank’s website and check the section for new arrivals or migrant accounts
2. Fill in the account application form with your details and upload any required documents
3. Submit your application
4. Wait for the bank to review and either approve it, reject it, or notify you of any in-person steps that are required

If the bank limits foreigners to in-person applications, it’s a good idea to check if an appointment is required. When you’re ready, go to a branch with all of your documents and speak with a customer service representative to complete the application process.

Best banks in Australia

The best Australian bank accounts for Kiwis really depends on you and your needs. When assessing your options, here are some things to look for:

• Eligibility - Check what is required for you to actually open an account
• Fees - Find out what the fees are, including account maintenance fees and ATM withdrawal fees
• International transfers - As a foreigner you want to know whether you can send and receive money internationally, what the fees are, and if there are fees for converting currency between NZD and AUD
• Debit cards - See what debit card comes with the account, and whether virtual cards are also an option

Australia has a number of banks offering everyday transaction accounts, with the four biggest being CommBank, ANZ, NAB and Westpac.

We’re going to delve into each of these options, looking at the daily accounts that are available to foreigners. We’ll also take a look at what the Wise account offers, as an alternative provider that specialises in managing money across borders.

CommBank

With CommBank, New Zealanders can open an Everyday Smart Access account to manage their daily banking needs.

• No Australian address needed to setup the account
• Comes with a physical and digital CommBank Debit Mastercard
• Access to cashback and discount offers through CommBank Yello¹

Here are some of the main account fees to be aware of:²

The online application can be completed in New Zealand as long as you’re arriving in Australia within the next 14 days. You then need to visit a CommBank branch within 20 days of opening the account so they can see your passport and confirm your tax residency.¹

ANZ

For new arrivals, ANZ offers ANZ Plus. It’s a bundle that includes the ANZ Plus Everyday transaction account and ANZ Plus Growth Saver account.³

• Fully opened and managed via the ANZ Plus app
• Comes with a Visa debit card
• Digital banking choice that doesn’t use branches

These are some of the main fees:

To open the ANZ Plus account you must have arrived in Australia, and have a local address and mobile number.³ It’s important to know the account does not support outbound international money transfers, so you can’t send funds back to New Zealand.

As an alternative, it’s possible for New Zealanders in particular to apply for an ANZ bank account before arriving in Australia.⁴ The application process must be started over the phone, where they will tell you what your options are.

NAB

The most popular daily banking account at National Australia Bank, or NAB, is the NAB Classic Banking account.

• Access to personalised cash back offers with NAB Goodies
• Choose between a NAB Visa Debit card or NAB Platinum Visa Debit card
• Manage online or through the NAB app⁷

These are some of the core fees to be aware of:⁸

To open a NAB account you need to have a valid visa, Australian address and mobile, and plan to stay at least 6 months.⁶ These need to be taken to a branch, along with 100 points of ID.

Westpac

Westpac suggests that new arrivals open their Westpac Choice Bank account, with the Westpac debit card.

• Start setting it up before arriving in Australia
• Comes with a physical and digital Westpac Debit Mastercard
• Exclusive cash back offers⁹

Here are some of the main account fees to be aware of:⁹

With Westpac it may be possible to start opening an account up to 14 days before arriving in Australia. If you do this, you must complete the account activation, including ID verification, once you arrive. Be aware you will need an Australian residential address.

Wise (bank account alternative)

The Wise account is different to others on this list, most importantly because it can be fully set up from New Zealand and supports both NZD and AUD.

• Send, receive and store 40+ currencies in a single account
• Local account details for multiple currencies including AUD and NZD
• Order a Wise debit card
• Exchange currencies at mid-market rate

These are some of the core fees of a Wise account:

Registering for a Wise account is simple, as you can do the entire process online from anywhere in the world. You’ll need to provide some personal information, like your date of birth and current address, and have an ID on hand, such as a driver’s license or passport.

When it comes to managing money internationally, the Wise account is a handy tool that makes it easier and simpler.

🚀 Sign up for Wise account

1. Commbank - Migrant banking
2. Commbank - Everyday Account rates and fees
3. ANZ - New to Australia
4. ANZ - [Open Account from New Zealand](