If you are traveling and plan to work in Australia you will need an Australian bank account to have your wages deposited into. I got mine at ANZ and they are really helpful towards backpackers. Australian banks require 100 point of identification to open a bank account and your passport is exactly 100 points. However, you have to open your bank account within the first 6 weeks upon arriving in to Australia. After 6 weeks you will also need your birth certificate to open a bank account as the passport drops in points. So be sure you open it right away and your passport will be enough identification. You simply need to fill out all the basic information and have a valid postal address to get your debit card sent to you. A debit card (usually a Visa or Mastercard) can be used at all ATM’s and retail outlets across Australia and is attached to your bank account, so your not using “credit” but your own money.
The most important thing you need to work in Australia is a tax file number (TFN). If you don’t have a TFN you have to pay more tax. Everyone who is valid to work in Australia can apply for a tax file number and the service is free. For more information and to apply visit the Australian Tax Office website
Another important account you need to work in Australia is a Superannuation account. Superannuation is a pension plan which saves 9% of the money you earned during your employment for your retirement. This is paid on top of your salary by your employer. If you are not a permanent resident you can get your superannuation back once you have left Australia. The superannuation form makes sure you will have access to this money when you stop working. For more info about the superannuation check this website. I asked about the superannuation account with ANZ when I opened my bank account and they gave me a simple form to fill out once I got my TFN
Its makes it a lot easier if you get them all at the same time and get prepared early.
Every employer you work for will ask for the above three things:
Bank Account details
Tax File Number
Superannuation account details
For more information just call Peterpans Adventure Travel on 1800 669 424
