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2023-12-22 2:05 pm

Travelling overseas

What to plan for and how we can help in an emergency.

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Planning a trip? Already travelling? See what to do before you go, important contact numbers, using cards and ATMs, safety tips, and how to use our foreign cash services.

Before you go

Tell us your dates and destinations

Before you travel overseas, it's important to let us know you're away so our fraud team can keep your money available and secure. 

Do this:

Please include your:

  • departure date
  • return date
  • destination
  • contact details while you're away

Card expiry

Before you go, check the expiry date of your card. If it’s going to expire before or while you're away, please call us. 

Digital wallet

Set this up if you haven’t already so you can make payments with your mobile, fitness device or smartwatch.

Contacting Bank Australia when overseas

How to contact us from overseas

If something goes wrong while you're away, the best way to get it sorted is by phone. 

Call us on +61 3 9854 4666 from 8:00am to 8:00pm (AEST) Monday to Friday and 9:00am to 2:00pm Saturday (AEST).

If you can't get to a phone, you can email us or get in touch via Twitter or Facebook

Lost or stolen cards

1. Tell us your card is lost/stolen

Report lost or stolen cards immediately to minimise the risk of unauthorised use. If you can, do this via the app or internet banking. 

In internet banking:

  • Go to ‘Services’, then ‘Card management’
  • Select ‘Lost or stolen’ next to the card you want to replace, and confirm
  • Select ‘Order a replacement card’ and confirm your mailing address (note: we can only send cards to Australian addresses) 

In the app:

  • Go to ‘Cards’ and select the card you want to cancel
  • Select ‘Lost or stolen’ (note: if you’ve just misplaced it, you can lock the card to retain access to your digital wallet) 
  • Order a replacement card, which will create a new digital card instantly

Alternatively, call +61 3 9854 4666 from 8:00am to 8:00pm (AEST) Monday to Friday and 9:00am to 2:00pm Saturday (AEST). 

2. Use your phone/watch to access money

Once you order a replacement card via the app or internet banking, you receive a digital version of your new card immediately. 

You can add it to your digital wallet to start using it straight away (mobile, smartwatch or fitness device).

Card purchases and cash withdrawals

ATM

Press Credit to withdraw

For Platinum Rewards Visa cardholders:

Cost = $5.00 + conversion exchange rate + 3% of withdrawal amount

For other cardholders

Cost = $3.50 + conversion exchange rate + 3% of withdrawal amount

Bank

Take your card in for over-the-counter withdrawals

For Platinum Rewards Visa cardholders:

Cost = $5.00 + conversion exchange rate + 3% of withdrawal amount

For other cardholders

Cost = $3.50 + conversion exchange rate + 3% of withdrawal amount

Stores, dining etc

Press Credit and sign

Cost = the conversion exchange rate + 3% of purchase amount

Safety tips when overseas

1. ATMs

Use ATMs from trusted banks – find out which are the main financial institutions in the country you're visiting before you go, and use theirs. They are more likely to have better security at their ATMs. And, always cover up your PIN when using an ATM.

2. Cash versus cards

Consider spreading your money across your debit card, credit cards and foreign cash. Then, if something goes wrong with one of them, you’ve still got back-ups. 

3. Digital wallets

If you can, use digital wallet to reduce the chance of losing your card. 

4. Wifi

Be careful when using wifi overseas – you should avoid making payments or logging into internet banking on public wifi. 

5. Smartraveller

Visit the Australian Government's Smartraveller website for specific safety or security issues in the country you’re heading to.

A person holding a phone with Bank Australia digital banking on the screen