1. Most of the travel cards have similar fees for withdrawing from ATM. Since u r having HDFC account, try the HDFC forex plus card.
2. You can open an account online by going into bank website migrant banking section. Westpac, ANZ, CB, NAB - all have this option. U just need to provide visa details and passport number.
Once you have ur account number and BSB code, u can transfer money from your india account to the Australian account. After u land in Australia, go to the bank and complete the identification process. U can start transacting from ur account post this.

 

for Ques:
1. as suggested by louisam.
2. as suggested by louisam



In Addition, split your money in four ways.
1. commonwealth bank is best as it is having more no. of atm. Transfer to it from hdfc (as per ur budget)
2. Traveller cheque( as per ur budget)
3. Cash get from travel agents(<500 Au$)
4. Load/Reload forex plus travel card. (<2000 Au$) Use this for online transaction and swiping. Not to withdraw money. Also as per Today market rate HDFC charges 53.25 inr per AU$ to load. Very costly



open account
https://www.commbank.com.au/

 

Today I opened an bank account with Common Wealth bank of Australia from overseas.....(ONLINE)

It is really Hassle free and got registered in few minutes...

AND I am very much delighted to have an Australian bank account

 

U guyz sure about Common Wealth bank? or is there even a better bank out there? Whats the bank out there that is extremely reliable and yet has lowest fees?

 

There are several other good banks in OZ as well like and most important were NAB & ANZ. CommBank has more atms and less charges comparatively.

List of Banks in Australia
AMP Bank Limited
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited*(ANZ)
Bank of Melbourne, a subsidiary of Westpac Banking Corporation (Australia) Limited
Bank of Queensland Limited
Bank of Sydney, the post May 2013 branding of*Beirut Hellenic Bank*a subsidiary of Bank of Beirut S.A.L. from 2011 previously Laiki Bank (Australia) Limited
Bank SA*a subsidiary of Westpac Banking Corporation (Australia) Limited
Bank of Western Australia*(Previously wholly owned subsidiary of HBOS plc of the UK, now a subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia)
Defence Bank
Delphi Bank*Australia Pty (a subsidiary of the Bendigo Adelaide Bank) previously Bank of Cyprus Australia Limited
Heritage Bank
bankmecu
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Rural Bank Limited (a subsidiary of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank)
Macquarie Bank Limited
Members Equity Bank Pty Limited
National Australia Bank Limited
P&N Bank
Queensland Teachers Mutual Bank (QTMB)
St. George Bank Limited, a subsidiary of Westpac Banking Corporation (Australia) Limited
Suncorp-Metway Limited
UBank, a division of National Australia Bank
Westpac Banking Corporation
Teachers Mutual Bank Limited

 

As siva listed there are several banks. But people use the "big four" because of reliability, network, ease of opening etc..
Commonwealth
Westpac
NAB
ANZ
Many members opted NAB because of zero fee account. Finally boils down to the features you look for. Finding an ATM is not difficult if you choose from these four.

I use ANZ. They have fee for low balance. But i chose that because of other factors such as branch close to my residence etc..

 

As siva listed there are several banks. But people use the "big four" because of reliability, network, ease of opening etc..
Commonwealth
Westpac
NAB
ANZ
Many members opted NAB because zero fee account. Finally boils down to the features you look for. Finding an ATM is not difficult if you choose from these four.

I use ANZ. They have fee for low balance. But i chose that because of other factors such as branch close to my residence etc..

well I missed out Westpac louisam... you are right.... FOUR important banks...

One doubt, I am planning on March Ist week to Adelaide.....
Initially, Iam coming alone and to assume to get desired job may take 3-4 months time.

Could you suggest how much money should I need to bring...

Can I transfer a huge portion to my commBank account before a week or 10 days.

 

Hi Siva,

The amount you mentioned - is that your budget for 2-3months?

 

Hi Rahul,

Its for few weeks to say 5-6 weeks.

Initial expenditure may be around 1 or 2 k. Then

if we strict in spending, 1.5k to 2 k Au$ is good for single individual over a month. This is what I heard from others. Let see howz its going.....

Also I am ready to do some odd jobs after 1-2 months......

 

Any AUD(Single Currency) card will do the trick.
You can open bank account online with NAB, CommBank, ANZ etc. but until you reach Australia and show your identification documents at the branch you will only be able to deposit no other transaction is allowed.
You can bring cash to Australia too. If its over $10000 you will have to declare it for which you might be asked for the proof of purchase of the currency.

 

great info guys... but I am missing something here about Travel Cards? Could you tell me whats the story about it? What card and why?

Thanks...

 

You can buy forex cards or travel cards which are pre-loaded with currency of the particular country you are travelling to.

These cards, once loaded with money in particular currency of a country, can then be used a normal debit card in that country. You will incur ATM withdraw charges, but these plastic cards are a convenient way to bring money instead of carrying cash and travellers cheque.

Contact your bank.

 

Mostly covered by Louisam,
Just some pickles to add............

Travel cards are as like as credit card.

Difference: Unlike credit card , TRAVEL card has to be preloaded and use it in the particular overseas country only(without charges) can also use in other countries but conversion charges may be applicable.

Similarity: Like credit card , it is useful for swiping and online purchase. But for ATM withdrawal charges applicable...

Example:
HDFC Bank || Multicurreny Card

 

Guys check this out
Which Australian banks offer basic bank accounts? - Affordable Banking by ABA
NAB Classic Banking account - no monthly account fees - NAB

looks like NAB Classic is also a good option for the beginning... what do u say?

 

Hi Rah1x,

Appreciate your efforts to bring this here.

For NAB Classic Banking account needs some eligibility criteria, as all Basic bank accounts are intended for customers who qualify for a concession card issued by the Government

For us check out this dear:
Moving to Australia - migrant

fill this form to open a NAB account for migrants

https://www.tfaforms.com/197860

 

Guyz, I tried to open with CWB and this is what they told me:

"Due to Australian regulations we are unable to open an account for customers based in Pakistan prior to your arrival. Please attend a branch of the Commonwealth Bank in Australia, to open your new Smart Access Account"..

 

that's unfortunate! You can try other banks like Westpac or NAB

Moving to Australia | Westpac

Moving To Australia | Migrating To Australia - NAB Migrant Banking - migrant

 

yea true.. Now I will try NAB.. I did email them to confirm.. lets see if they will refuse as well.