Opening an Australian Bank Account as a Backpacker: A Practical Guide

June 10th, 2026·5 min read

You need an Australian bank account before you start work. Without one, your employer either can't pay you at all or will pay cash (which creates its own problems for visa evidence). Getting this sorted early is one of the most important admin tasks of your working holiday.

Why You Need a Local Account

Australian employers pay wages into Australian bank accounts. Attempting to have wages sent overseas is unusual and often not supported by payroll systems. Even if it is, international transfer fees eat into your earnings.

Beyond wages, you'll need an account for:

Paying rent and accommodation
Day-to-day spending (most places accept cards; cash is increasingly rare)
Receiving your tax refund from the ATO
Receiving your DASP superannuation payment when you leave

The sooner you open an account, the sooner you can start work without complications.

The Four Main Options for Backpackers

Commonwealth Bank (CommBank)

CommBank is the largest bank in Australia and the most widely used by backpackers, largely because it offers fee-free accounts for those aged under 35 who are new to Australia. Their Smart Access account has no monthly fee, and ATMs are ubiquitous across the country — including in regional towns.

You can pre-register online before you arrive, which is a significant advantage. Complete the online registration, and then visit a branch within six weeks of arrival to complete verification with your passport. Your account is ready to use almost immediately.

Best for: First-time visitors who want to get set up fast.

Westpac

Westpac offers a similar pre-arrival online setup service and is another common choice for backpackers. They have branches in most cities and major regional centres.

The Westpac Choice account has a monthly fee (currently $5/month), but this is waived if you deposit at least $2,000 per month — which is achievable if you're working full-time.

Best for: Those who want a fee-waived account tied to employment.

ANZ

ANZ's Access Advantage account requires you to visit a branch in person to open, but the process is straightforward. Monthly fee applies but can be waived.

Best for: Those already in Australia who can visit a branch easily.

Up (Digital Bank)

Up is a modern, app-based bank that has become popular with younger Australians. It's fee-free with no conditions, has excellent app design, and instant notifications for every transaction. Opening is entirely online, no branch visit needed — you verify identity through the app.

The catch: Up requires an Australian residential address and mobile number, so you'll need to be in Australia before you can apply. It's a better second account than a first, for many backpackers.

Best for: Tech-savvy backpackers who want excellent app experience; best opened after settling in.

What You'll Need to Open an Account

Most Australian banks require:

Valid passport (mandatory — the primary ID document)
Current Australian visa details (usually verified via your passport and visa label or digital grant notice)
Australian address — even a hostel address is fine in most cases
Tax File Number (TFN) — not always required at opening, but you'll need to provide it eventually or interest is withheld at the highest rate

You don't need an Australian address before arriving if you use a bank's pre-arrival service — just provide your overseas address initially and update it when you have an Australian one.

Opening Before You Leave Home

If you're coming from the UK, Ireland, Germany, or several other countries, CommBank and Westpac both offer online pre-registration that lets you open an account before you land. This is by far the most convenient approach.

The account is technically open but restricted until you complete in-branch ID verification within 6 weeks of arrival. After that, it's fully functional.

Setting Up for Payroll

Once your account is open, you'll need:

BSB (Bank State Branch code — a 6-digit number identifying your bank and branch)
Account number (your unique account identifier)

Your employer's payroll system needs both of these. You'll usually be asked to provide them on your first day of work, along with your TFN.

Keep these details saved somewhere accessible — you'll provide them to every employer you work for.

Foreign Currency and Transferring Money Home

When it comes time to send money home, avoid using your bank's international transfer feature — fees and exchange rates are usually poor.

Better options:

Wise (formerly TransferWise) — consistently the best exchange rates with transparent fees. You can send directly from your Australian bank account.
Revolut — popular with European backpackers, useful for multi-currency management

Set these up before you leave home so they're ready when you need them.

Tax and Your Bank Account

The ATO uses your bank account records to verify income if you're ever audited. Keep the same account active for the full time you're working in Australia — don't switch banks mid-year if you can avoid it.

When you lodge your tax return, any refund will be sent to the bank account you nominate — make sure it's still active.

When you leave Australia and claim your DASP superannuation payment, you'll need to provide overseas banking details. Wise is again useful here as it provides local bank account details in many currencies.

Getting your finances sorted from day one sets you up for a smooth working holiday. My Visa Tracker helps you keep your employer records, working days, and evidence organised in one place — so when tax time or visa extension time comes, you're already prepared.

Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash