Application and access comparison
| Requirement | CommBank newcomer route | NAB newcomer route |
|---|---|---|
| Official source | CommBank moving to Australia | NAB banking in Australia |
| Timing | Arriving within 14 days, or arrived in past 12 months | Arriving within 30 days, or arrived within 12 months |
| Basic eligibility | Age 14+, personal name; visitor visa subclasses 600, 601, 651 excluded | Age 14+, stay of at least six months; tourist/visitor visas excluded; passport and visa valid six months from branch visit |
| Open / verify | Branch identity verification within 20 days of opening or account may close | Online application starts the process; account opens after arrival and branch visit within 30 days of starting |
| Deposit / use | Deposits and purchases only after ID verified at an Australian branch | Do not deposit into an application; wait for account opening, branch verification and activation |
| Published fee context | Newcomer page offers a 12-month monthly-account-fee waiver via its specified route; check ongoing fee and waiver conditions | Classic Banking lists a $0 monthly account fee; optional upgraded debit card and other services can cost extra |
Checked 1 October 2026. This is a summary of the named newcomer pathways, not an approval result. Read the full bank terms before applying. A zero monthly account fee is not a promise that every transaction is free.
Use the comparison as a decision worksheet
- Write down arrival date, intended stay, visa category and whether you can attend a branch within the bank’s deadline.
- Open each official eligibility page and check your exact situation. If you are outside the route, ask the bank about an alternative instead of assuming eligibility.
- Confirm the document list and branch appointment. Ask about temporary-address evidence, translations and Australian mobile-number requirements.
- Record the normal account fee after any waiver, your own likely ATM/cash needs, international purchase charges and transfer costs.
- Choose only once you can explain how to activate and access money, and why the ongoing conditions fit your use.
Identity and scope
There is no universal document-points total that guarantees every bank will accept an application. Follow the provider’s list and distinguish an Australian TFN from foreign tax-residency details. This page has no unsourced app-star ratings, savings-rate rankings, ATM-fee estimates or “best bank” recommendation.
For other banks and digital accounts, check their exact product, visa/residence eligibility, identity route, cash access and fees directly. Absence from this two-provider comparison is not a finding about their availability. For a broader decision process see the account-choice worksheet.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send money after completing an online application?
Wait for the bank to confirm that your account is open, identity requirements are complete and incoming transfers are enabled.
Does $0 monthly fee mean no fees at all?
No. Check other services, card options, foreign transactions and third-party ATM charges.
Is this an app rating or best-bank ranking?
No. It compares two documented newcomer application routes and the checks needed before using them.
Sources and review scope
Source check: 1 October 2026. The linked provider and regulator pages support the stated scope. Illustrative calculations are not live quotes, product testing, individual approval or professional advice. Recheck provider terms before acting.