Opening a Bank Account in Australia

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.

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.