Opening up bank account offshore

[NikkiR 0]

Hi all, can anyone offer any advice on opening up an Australian account before you arrive? I can see that the Big 4 allow you to do so, but you need to physically present yourself at one of their branches in order to transact on this. With quarantine, this would delay being able to use your cards for at least 2 weeks, and it would be good to buy essentials without using overseas cards. Can anyone suggest an alternative to the Big 4 where you can do online transactions before going into a branch?

[ChrisH 696]

Hi, I think the only banks that allow opening accounts offshore are the big 4. 

Unfortunately the rule that you have to present yourself physically at a branch is an AML (anti money laundering) law and I doubt that you'd get around this.

To open an account when you are here you would need 100 points of identification (your passport + either a local drivers license or Medicare card) which is also not an option.