What tourists can and cannot do at Australian banks
Most Australian banks will not open an account for you on a tourist visa. The major banks—Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, and NAB—require permanent residency, a visa that lets you work, or Australian citizenship. A tourist visa (subclass 600) does not meet this threshold because the bank cannot verify you have a stable reason to be in the country long-term.
Some smaller banks and online-only providers have different rules. Wise, Revolut, and a handful of others will open accounts for tourists, but these are not traditional bank accounts—they are payment platforms or money transfer services. They let you hold and spend money, but they do not offer the full range of services a bank account does, such as overdrafts, loans, or term deposits.
If you need to receive money, pay bills, or access funds while you are in Australia, your options depend on how long you are staying and what you need the account to do.
Key Takeaways
- The four major Australian banks (Commonwealth, Westpac, ANZ, NAB) do not open accounts for people on tourist visas, regardless of how long you plan to stay.
- Online payment platforms like Wise and Revolut will open accounts for tourists, but these are not bank accounts and do not offer loans, overdrafts, or other banking services.
- If you need to receive money from overseas, a money transfer service or your home bank's international transfer option is usually faster and cheaper than opening an Australian account.
- If you are staying longer than three months, check whether your visa category allows you to open a bank account before you arrive, because the rules change once you are in the country.
Why banks reject tourist visa holders
Australian banks are required by law to verify your identity and your reason for being in the country. This process is called Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance. A tourist visa tells the bank you are leaving within a set period—usually three to six months—which makes you a higher-risk customer for fraud and money laundering purposes.
Banks also cannot easily contact you if something goes wrong with your account, and they have no way to enforce debt collection if you leave the country. For these reasons, they treat tourist accounts as too risky to open.
The rule applies even if you have a job offer, a rental lease, or proof of funds. The visa category itself is the deciding factor. If your visa does not explicitly state that you can work or stay indefinitely, the bank will decline you.
Payment platforms that accept tourists
Wise, Revolut, and PayPal all allow tourists to open accounts using a valid passport and proof of address. Proof of address can be a hotel booking, an Airbnb confirmation, or a letter from a friend or family member who is letting you stay with them. Some platforms accept a utility bill from your home country instead.
These services are useful for receiving international transfers and spending money in Australia without carrying large amounts of cash. Wise is particularly popular because it offers a real Australian account number and BSB (Bank State Branch) code, which means Australian employers or government bodies can pay you directly. However, Wise is not a bank—it cannot offer overdrafts, loans, or savings accounts with interest.
Revolut works similarly but is less widely used by Australian employers. PayPal is the slowest option for receiving money because transfers can take several days and the fees are higher.
How to receive money from overseas
If someone needs to send you money while you are in Australia, the fastest route is usually a direct international transfer from their bank to yours at home. You can then withdraw the money using your debit card or transfer it to a Wise account once you arrive.
If you need the money to go directly to an Australian account, ask the sender to use Wise or OFX (a money transfer service). Both let the sender initiate a transfer from their home bank, and the money arrives in an Australian account within one to two business days. The fees are lower than a traditional bank transfer and the exchange rate is better.
Do not use Western Union or MoneyGram unless it is an emergency. Both charge high fees and offer poor exchange rates.
What happens if your visa changes while you are in Australia
If you arrive on a tourist visa and then move to a work visa, student visa, or skilled migration visa, you can open a bank account with the major banks. You will need to provide your new visa grant letter, proof of address in Australia (a rental agreement or utility bill), and a form of ID.
The process usually takes one to two weeks. Some banks let you start the process online, but most require you to visit a branch in person to verify your identity. Bring your passport, your visa grant letter, and your proof of address.
If you are planning to change visa categories, do not open a Wise or Revolut account first and assume you can upgrade later. These platforms cannot convert to a full bank account. You will need to open a separate account with a traditional bank once your visa changes.
Alternatives if you cannot open an account
If you need to pay bills or make purchases in Australia and you do not have a bank account, a prepaid card is your next option. Woolworths, Coles, and most supermarkets sell prepaid Visa and Mastercard cards that you can load with cash at the register. These cards work anywhere a credit card is accepted, but they do not let you receive money or set up automatic payments.
For ongoing expenses like accommodation or car rental, ask the provider whether they accept payment from your home bank's debit card. Most do, though you will pay a foreign transaction fee—usually 2 to 3 percent of the amount. This is often cheaper than opening a payment platform account if you only need to make one or two payments.
If you are staying with friends or family, ask whether they can receive money on your behalf and then give it to you in cash. This is not ideal for large amounts, but it works for short-term needs.
Documents you will need for any account
Whether you are opening a Wise account, a Revolut account, or waiting until your visa changes to open a bank account, you will need the same core documents:
- A valid passport
- Proof of your current address in Australia (hotel booking, Airbnb confirmation, or a letter from someone you are staying with)
- Your visa grant letter or a screenshot of your visa status from the Department of Home Affairs website
- A phone number where you can receive SMS messages
Some banks and platforms will also ask for proof of income or a letter from your employer. If you do not have these, explain that you are a tourist and do not have Australian income. Most platforms will accept this and proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a bank account if I am staying for six months on a tourist visa?
No. The major banks will not open an account for you on a tourist visa, regardless of how long you are staying. If you need banking services for six months, you will need to move to a different visa category—such as a working holiday visa or a student visa—before you can open an account with a traditional bank.
Will Wise give me a real Australian bank account number?
Yes. Wise provides a real Australian account number and BSB code, which means Australian employers and government bodies can pay you directly. However, it is not a bank account—Wise is a money transfer and payment platform. You cannot get a loan, overdraft, or savings account with interest through Wise.
What if I need to open an account to get paid by an Australian employer?
If you are working in Australia, your visa should allow you to do so—which means it is not a tourist visa. Check your visa grant letter. If it says you can work, you can open a bank account with any of the major banks. If it does not, you cannot legally work in Australia, and you should not open an account to hide this from your employer.
Can I use my home bank's debit card to pay for things in Australia?
Yes, but you will pay a foreign transaction fee—usually 2 to 3 percent of the amount. This is often cheaper than opening a new account if you only need to make a few purchases. Check with your home bank about their fees before you travel.
What happens to my Wise account if I leave Australia?
Your Wise account stays open and you can continue to use it from anywhere in the world. You can receive money, hold multiple currencies, and spend using the Wise card. However, if you do not use the account for a long period, Wise may close it or freeze it for security reasons.