Best Business bank accounts for non-residents in Australia
If you’ve got business interests in Australia you may benefit from easy ways to manage your money in AUD, taking payments in Australian dollars, sending money to suppliers or receiving bank transfers. Opening a business bank account with an Australian bank may be an option – but as a non-resident, not all accounts are likely to be suited to your needs.
This guide looks at places to start your search for a great non-resident business account for Australia. Plus we’ll also include online alternatives like Wise and Revolut which can help business owners in many countries and regions open accounts to hold and manage AUD, even as a non-resident.
Quick summary: Best business accounts for non-residents
- Wise Business Account: Low cost currency conversion which uses the mid-market rate, debit and expense cards, and easy ways to pay and get paid in foreign currencies
- Revolut Business Account: Choice of different account tiers to suit differing business needs, with some no fee transactions and weekday currency conversion for most account types
- ANZ Business Account: Full service bank business account which offers international features that can be helpful to non-resident business owners
- NAB Business Account: Business support including loans, cards, accounts and merchant services to get all the financial services you need for your business
- Commbank Business Account: Selection of business accounts including some with no ongoing fees to get basic business services with limited costs
Can a foreigner open a Business bank account in Australia?
Yes. However your options may vary quite a lot depending on where you live, where your business is registered and your specific needs. Your options are likely to be:
- Open a business account with an Australian bank
- Choose a business account with a specialist digital service
Banks may offer business accounts to non-residents, but whether or not this is possible will depend on a range of factors.
- You may need to talk to a business service manager from the bank you prefer, to establish which accounts may suit your needs, and talk through costs and features
- You will need an Australian registered business, and you will normally have to attend a branch in person to set up your account
As a simpler alternative, providers like Wise and Revolut have AUD accounts which you can open from many countries, giving great access for non-resident customers.
- Apply from your home country, and get an account which offers ways to manage AUD along with many other currencies
- Different accounts have their own features, but there are options with no ongoing fees, cards for you and your team, low cost currency conversion and more
These can present very good alternatives to a business bank account if you’re not a resident of Australia. We’ll look at the options in more detail in this guide to help you decide what’s the best route for you.
📲 Learn more about opening a Wise account
Requirements for Opening a Business Bank Account in Australia as a Non-Resident
To open your business account in Australia you will need to provide proof of your identity which usually means your passport or other government issued photo ID document. Different banks have their own lists of accepted documents, so check with the one you prefer before you apply. Aside from our own ID you will need to provide:
- The full company legal name as registered with ASIC
- Your Australian Company Number (ACN) and entity type
- Date of incorporation or registration
- Nature of business or industry
- Principal place of business address and mailing address
- If your business is a resident of any other country for tax purposes
You’ll also need to provide some information about yourself including your personal and contact details, as well as your country of citizenship and Tax Identification Number (TIN).
5 Best Business accounts for non-residents
To give you an idea of where to start your search, we’ll look at 2 providers which offer non-resident accounts for businesses, and 3 banks which may also be able to help.
It’s important to note that banks may have eligibility requirements on some accounts which can mean non-residents aren’t entitled to open every account. Services are often arranged via a business relationship manager, so you’ll need to talk through your personal situation with your relationship manager to understand what’s available to you.
| Provider/Account | Account fees | International transfer fees | Best features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | No ongoing fee
Account opening fees vary by country you live in – for example, in New Zealand there’s a 40 NZD one time fee for full feature access |
Variable fees based on the country and currency involved, with the mid-market exchange rate | ✅Hold and exchange 40+ currencies
✅ Send and receive payments in AUD and other major currencies ✅Get debit and expense cards ✅Mid-market rate currency exchange |
| Revolut | Variable fees depending on your country of residence – in many countries you can choose an account with no ongoing fees, or pay monthly | Fees depend on the country you reside in, and may be discounted based on the plan you select | ✅ 25+ currencies supported
✅ Choose different plans based on your needs ✅All accounts offer cards for spending and expense management ✅Plans often offer no fee transactions |
| ANZ | Transaction accounts have 0 AUD or 10 AUD monthly costs | For payments arranged online or by phone under 10,000 there’s a 9 AUD fee, waived beyond that | ✅Full service banking options
✅You may be able to open account online ✅Desposit cash when you need to ✅Pay as you go, or get included transactions with a monthly charge |
| NAB | Transaction accounts have 0 AUD or 10 AUD monthly costs | No fee for online payments in foreign currencies | ✅Huge range or products available
✅Good branch and ATM network ✅Get free electronic and ATM transactions ✅Some accounts include transactions for the monthly charge |
| Commbank | Transaction accounts have 0 AUD or 10 AUD monthly costs | No fee for online payments in foreign currencies | ✅Choose from different accounts to suit your needs
✅Get all the services you need in one place ✅Phone and branch service available ✅Card services for business |
*Details correct at time of research – 17th June 2025.
As you can see, your options are a bit different depending on whether you want an account from a branch or a specialist provider. We’ll explore each in a bit more detail in just a moment.
Wise Business account
⭐ Great for: Low cost currency conversion which uses the mid-market rate, debit and expense cards, and easy ways to pay and get paid in foreign currencies
Wise Business accounts can be opened from Australia and also by non-residents from many other countries, with access to ways to receive, manage, exchange, send and spend AUD even as a non-resident. As Wise lets you hold and exchange 40+ currencies in total, a Wise Business account can be a smart option if you want to send, receive and manage multiple currencies, including AUD, side by side.
Accounts have no minimum balance requirement and no monthly service charge. You’ll be able to make payments to 140+ countries with low fees, and receive payments using local and SWIFT account information in AUD and other currencies. You’ll also get business friendly perks like batch payment solutions and Xero integration.
Fees: No fee to register, no ongoing fee, one time fee for full feature access which depends on the country you live in
Eligibility: Australian residents and non-resident customers from many countries and regions globally
| Pros of Wise | Cons of Wise |
|---|---|
| ✅Hold and exchange 40+ currencies
✅ Receive payments in AUD and other major currencies ✅Send payments overseas, and spend with debit and expense cards ✅Mid-market rate currency exchange ✅ No ongoing fees |
❌ Variable currency exchange fees
❌ Some ATM fees apply depending on usage ❌ No cash deposit service |
📲 Learn more about Wise Business account requirements
How to open a Wise account as a non-resident
Open your Wise account online or in app from Australia or any other supported country.
- Open the Wise app or desktop site
- Tap Sign up and confirm you want a business account
- Follow prompts to enter your business, personal and contact information
- Upload verification documents
- Once verified you can transact
Revolut Business account
⭐ Great for: Choose from different account tiers, depending on your residence, often with accounts with no monthly fee
Revolut offers business accounts in various countries and regions globally, with eligibility depending on both your residence and the country or countries you have a registered business in. The accounts available depend on where you live, but you can often choose from several different account types, including some with no monthly fees or more feature packed account products which have monthly charges. Generally accounts all offer some no fee transactions and some weekday currency conversion which uses the Revolut rate before fees begin.
Fees: Monthly fees depend on the country you live in, but accounts may be offered with no ongoing fees in some areas. Fair usage fees and out of hour currency conversion costs may apply depending on account use.
Eligibility: You and your business must both be based in a country served by Revolut – check your eligibility online before you apply.
| Pros of Revolut Business | Cons of Revolut Business |
|---|---|
| ✅Select from different account plans depending on your needs
✅Some accounts have no ongoing fees ✅Set up your account with just your phone or laptop ✅Most accounts offer some no fee transactions monthly ✅25+ currencies supported for holding in most countries |
❌You need to pay monthly fees to unlock all features
❌Out of hours currency conversion costs may apply ❌Fair usage fees are likely once you exhaust no fee transactions |
How to open a Revolut Business account as a non-resident
Open your Revolut account online or in app from Australia or any other supported country.
- Open the Revolut app
- Tap Sign up and select a business account type
- Follow prompts to enter your business, personal and contact information
- Upload verification documents
- Once verified you can transact
ANZ Business account
⭐ Great for: Choice of pay as you go account or accounts with monthly fees, depending on your transaction needs
ANZ offers its Business Essentials account with no monthly fee and free electronic transactions, which is good for new businesses which do not use branch services often. You’ll then pay 2.5 AUD when you need an assisted transaction. Or if you’ve got a more established business, the Business Extra service may appeal, with monthly fees that get you 20 included assisted transactions and an optional overdraft.
If you’re making an international transfer of under 10,000 AUD there’s a 9 AUD fee, with no transfer fee for digital international payments over 10,000 AUD.
Fees: Transaction accounts have 0 AUD or 10 AUD monthly costs
Eligibility: You must have an eligible Australian registered business and a full set of supporting documents
| Pros of ANZ | Cons of ANZ |
|---|---|
| ✅Popular bank with a good network of both branches and ATMs
✅ Accounts with no monthly fees available, for electronic use only ✅ Low assisted transaction fee ✅ Cloud accounting integrations and discounts ✅ Manage your account online or in app for ease |
❌ 9 AUD fee for an international transfer of under 10,000 AUD
❌ Foreign transaction fees apply for card use ❌ Assisted transactions cost 2.5 AUD |
How to open an ANZ account as a non-resident
Here’s how to open an ANZ account as a non-resident:
- Open the ANZ website and find the account you prefer
- Tap Apply Now and enter your personal and business information
- Await a call back from the bank to discuss your application – this can take 24 hours or more
NAB Business account
⭐ Great for: Account options which include free electronic transactions and which can connect to NAB bookkeeping tools to manage your invoicing and expenses
NAB business account options include one which has no monthly fee, with free electronic transactions and a 3 AUD pay as you go charge for assisted transactions. Or you can choose to pay 10 AUD a month to get 15 assisted transactions. Add on extra services including the NAB bookkeeping tool, which connects to NAB business accounts seamlessly, are also available.
There’s no NAB fee for outgoing foreign transfers made online in a foreign currency, but it’s worth noting that you can pay up to 15 AUD to receive incoming foreign transfers.
Fees: Transaction accounts have 0 AUD or 10 AUD monthly costs
Eligibility: You must have an eligible Australian registered business and a full set of supporting documents
| Pros of NAB | Cons of NAB |
|---|---|
| ✅ Different account options to suit a variety of business types
✅ Bookkeeping service as an add on to help streamline accounting ✅ Debit cards available for spending and withdrawals ✅ Low fee for assisted transactions ✅ Great branch and ATM network to give flexibility |
❌ AUD denominated accounts with no multi-currency features
❌Foreign transaction fee applies for card use ❌ 15 AUD for incoming payments |
How to open a NAB account as a non-resident
If you’re a non-resident you are unlikely to be eligible to apply for an NAB business account online. You will need to visit a branch to set up your account, and you may also need to provide additional supporting documents compared to resident customers. Call the bank before you apply so you know what to expect.
Commbank Business account
⭐ Great for: Award winning account with options to pay monthly, or per transaction, with many free electronic services included
Commbank has a small business account which you can either use with no monthly fee, and pay 5 AUD per assisted transaction, or choose to pay a monthly 10 AUD fee to get 5 free assisted transactions. Many electronic services such as online and card payments or withdrawals are free, to give flexibility for both digital first businesses and companies which need to pay in cash.
The Commbank business account has won awards as the best business bank account in Australia. You won’t earn any interest on your balance, and it’s helpful to know that you can only hold AUD, which may be a drawback if you trade internationally.
Fees: Transaction accounts have 0 AUD or 10 AUD monthly costs
Eligibility: You must have an eligible Australian registered business and a full set of supporting documents
| Pros of Commbank | Cons of Commbank |
|---|---|
| ✅ Electronic transactions are often free
✅ Different plan options depending on your transaction needs ✅ Get all your business finance needs from the same provider ✅ Award winning account ✅ Local service available in branches and post offices |
❌ 5 AUD fee for assisted transactions
❌ Foreign transaction fee applies for card use overseas ❌ Fee of up to 11 AUD to receive a payment |
How to open a Commbank account as a non-resident
If you have an eligible registered Australian business you can open your Commbank business account online:
- Open the Commbank business banking desktop site and choose the account you want
- Click Apply Now
- Follow the prompts to enter your company and personal information
- Upload the required documents
- You’ll receive an email when your account is ready to transact
How to open a business bank account as a foreigner
As a foreign non-resident you may not be eligible for all business account types and you may not be able to open your account online. Different banks set their own rules, so it’s crucial that you read through the information carefully before you start to apply. Once you’ve found a bank which you like you can take the following steps to open a business account with your preferred bank:
- Choose the provider and account that suits your needs
- Check and gather all the information and documents required
- Complete the application form in hard copy or online
- Provide your documents to the provider – either uploading digital copies or presenting them in a branch
- The bank or provider will verify your account, which may be instant, or may take a day or two
- Once your account is verified you’ll be able to add funds, and get your linked card for easy spending
📲 Learn more about international business money transfers
Things to consider when choosing a business account for non-residents
When you’re choosing a business account for non-residents there are a few factors which can be especially important:
- Limits – check that your preferred account has high enough limits to suit your needs. For example, some banks may have fairly low digital transfer limits. As a non-resident you won’t have the option to easily call into a branch to sort your payment, so check you have options to suit your needs.
- Account fees – look for an account with low or no ongoing fees and low transaction fees on the types of services you’ll use regularly. If you can’t find what you want from an Australian bank, look at providers like Wise and Revolut instead.
- Security – assuming you’re managing your money digitally in the main, it’s important to trust your bank’s security features are keeping you and your account safe. Banks should display their security features and information prominently so you can check you’re comfortable with it.
- Customer Support – make sure you know what you can do if something goes wrong – particularly if you’re in a different timezone to Australia. You don’t want to find that you’re worried about a transaction and helpless until your bank’s service desks open for the morning – providers like Wise and Revolut have 24/7 in app support so you can get help as soon as you need it.
Conclusion: Best Business bank for non-resident
Australian banks might be able to extend services for business owners who do not live in the country, but this will depend on a range of other factors including the country the business is registered in. That means that you’ll need to contact your preferred bank directly to check what’s available based on your specific situation.
As an alternative, digital business account providers like Wise and Revolut present a simple and flexible solution for non-residents. You can still manage, send and receive AUD, but you can apply for your account from many different countries, with features on offer including international payments, spending cards and ways to cut financial administration. Compare the options available to you from specialist providers before you decide which account type to open.
FAQs
Which Banks open accounts for non-residents?
Banks set their own policies about eligibility for business accounts, and so not all are offered to non-resident customers. You’ll need to talk to your preferred bank to check what’s available – try ANZ, NAB or Commbank as good places to start. Or check out digital business account providers like Wise and Revolut which have accounts for residents of many countries globally.
Can I open a bank account as a non-citizen?
Yes. It’s easier to open an account as a non-citizen if you’re a resident of Australia, but even as a non-resident foreigner some accounts are available. Compare banks with options like Wise and Revolut which can often offer more flexible and cheaper account services.
Which banks are international?
Australia has a selection of banks which operate regionally or globally, and all banks have some international services like global payments. Compare a few to see which is best for you based on convenience and cost.
Can I open an Australian business bank account without visiting Australia?
Whether or not you can open an Australian business bank account without visiting Australia depends on the provider you select and your entity type. Some banks do extend online account opening to non-resident business owners, but this isn’t always possible. Take a look at options like Wise and Revolut for fully digital account opening you can manage from anywhere.
How do I transfer money between my overseas account and Australian business account?
You can send money from your overseas bank directly to your Australian business account, or you can look at options like Wise and Revolut which offer international payments which often have lower overall costs compared to banks.
