Bank account and tax file number!

Hey,

Ive just sorted out my visa and was wondering weather its best to sort out a Australian bank account and tax file number before i head over there or leave it till im out there. Not too sure whats the easiest and best way to go about it
Originally i was thinking of going through OzIntro as they sort all that stuff out for you, but wondered weather its easier and cheaper to do it off my own back.
Suggestions and tips would be very much apprecited,
Thanks,
Nick

I would wait until I move. When I immigrated to the US, I opened my own bank accounts and got my own Tax ID numbers sorted out.

Yes, it's easier (okay; exactly as easy) and cheaper (free) to do it yourself. You can't apply for a Tax File Number until you're in Australia, but once you're there, go to this website and follow the "next" buttons.
You could open a bank account with some select banks beforehand, but would still need to go to a bank branch when in Australia to provide proof of identity, so might as well just do that when you arrive. (Show up with AUD $50 for an initial deposit, as well as your passport, fill in some forms, and walk out 15 minutes later. Give them your hostel's address to send the debit card to (takes about a week) and tell them not to send you any bank statements.)

[ Edit: Edited on 15-May-2012, at 09:50 by Sander ]

Cheers for the info guys

Im due to go in June and have already opened an account with ANZ. Was really easy and now I need to go into a shop when I get there to complete the registration.

One thing I wasnt sure on was the Tax File number.

If you need to give them an address how do you know where your going to be stayin and what address to give them?

This has worried be a bit.

Thanks

I did it with WestPac Trust in NZ when I arrived on my Working Hol visa - it was easy peasy

Thanks for the help

Lydia: Do you have the website for ANZ and are you transfering funds before you go?

Im heading out to Sydney 21st June, you have many plans for your arrival?

Cheers
Nick

Hi Nick,

I just typed in google ANZ Australia bank and it came up. Think its that one and Commonwealth that have the most ATM's out there and it costs extra to use other banks ATM's.

Yeh, we'll transfer all our money over before we go (i think) but first get a stamped statement from our current bank to show proof of funds incase we get asked. Think thats what the process is anyway.

Hardly any plans at all. I feel like i'm sooo unprepared but there's just no point in making any till we get there. All we know is we're booking 2-4 nights in our first hostel and looking for a job. We really want to work before we do any travelling to do some saving. We're so hoping to last more than just a couple of months!

What are your plans? Are you wanting to find work too?

Thanks Lydia i'll have a look into it, sounds pretty straight forward. Yea i wasn't too sure on the process for proving what funds you have.

Nah i'm the same not any actual plans just more of a rough idea in my head lol. Don't like to plan too much because you don't really know what could happen when your there. Ill be arriving in Sydney on the 23rd June. Probably stay somewhere for first few days to just to settle and get things sorted.

I will be looking to work, just not sure weather to work straight away or later on, but ill decide once im there depending on how easy it is to find work and what sorta works around.

Nick,

Opening a bank account is very easy. As for ATMs, any of the 4 major banks in Australia (ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, NAB) would suit. As for the tax file number, the following is taken directly from the ATO website:

You can only complete this online application if you are a permanent migrant or temporary visitor who is actually in Australia. You must also be either:
a working holiday-maker
a New Zealander and you are automatically granted a visa on arrival
an overseas student and your visa has been amended to allow you to work
a person with a valid visa allowing you to stay in Australia indefinitely
a person with a business visa.

Therefore, it seems like you can actually only apply from within.

cheers,

Tripoholic
-snip-

Moderator comment: please see Forum Rules

[ Edit: Sorry, no promos please. Link to Forum Rules added. ]