Opening a Bank account in Australia -
The 100 Point System
If you want to open a bank or credit union account in Australia, you need to pass the '100 point' system to prove your identification.
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Birth Certificate Passport Citizenship Certificate
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70 points |
You can only get points for one item in this section |
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Drivers Licence (full / probationary / learner) Shooters Licence Public Service Employee ID card Commonwealth or State Government financial entitlement card (eg Pension card)
|
40 points |
These cards must have a photograph or signature |
|
35 points |
Applies to home buyers or owners only |
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Any card on which your name appears: Medicare card Credit Card (only 1 per institution) Store Account card Video Store Card Library Card Union Card
|
25 points |
|
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Documents on which your name and address appear: Car registration Utility bill Rental receipts Records of another financial institution showing you've been a member for 12 months or more |
25 points |
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Some points to note:
- This system, while mechanistic, is arguably better than the identification system prevailing in the UK which seems to depend on the whim of a bank official.
- There is no reason why a foreign birth certificate, passport, naturalisation certificate or driving licence shouldn't be accepted, but you will have to ask (and maybe ask to see a manager if necessary)
- If you open an account within 6 weeks to 3 months (depending on the institution) of arriving to live in Australia, you will need only your passport. This concession only applies to banks, from what I've been told, not credit unions.