Thread: Moving to Bali for 6months - advice on bank account

Hi Perthgirl,

I don't think you'll be able to open a local bank account unless you're the holder of a KITAS. I have been faced with the same problem previously trying to figure out the most economical way to get money to my fiance. The best solution I could come up with is open up a westpac account and I gave her the ATM card and just cop the transaction fee's which as you say are $5 plus 1% foreign currency conversion plus 1.5% (I think?) service fee from mastercard who I assume processes the foreign transactions.

However, I do believe that Commonwealth bank account holders can access their cash free of charge (or at least cheaply) from the few Commonwealth ATM's that are spread around the place. That wasn't gunna be helpful in our situation cos there isn't any ATM's in Genteng, Java, but if an ATM is conveniently located near where you plan to live it may be an option.

Just a thought.....
Adz

Thanks Adam
Thats not a bad idea I will look into the Commonwealth bank idea maybe Ill open a savings account with them and transfer the money Ill need to support myself for 6months into that account, even if if it was $1 a transaction that would be ok

Cheers

Lindsey

Hi Perthgirl,

At the very least if u opened a Commonwealth account you could transfer the funds you require thru internet banking from your Westpac account (for example if you are getting good interest with your Westpac account). There are heaps of internet cafes around, I do it heaps while I'm in Bali and its very very easy.

Adz

Yeah I will be on a Social Budaya visa so maybe I will look into opening a bank account. Yeah I think my budget for rent will be ok, if I have to rent for a year I guess I will just rent for a year and can always come back to Perth after 6months for a month then go back again...
i would love a small place with a plunge pool but might be stretching my luck, I dont want a big mansion villa just a simple 2bed, 2bath, kitchen, living area, wstrn bathroom and a plunge pool, I will look into the Pecatu area in Jimbaran

I know I will have to wait until I get there and look on all the noticeboards as not much is advertised on the internet but I kinda wanted a few things sorted before I left Perth

Thanks very much for your help
Lindsey

Thanks, i think 85juta is a tad over my budget, plus living in seminyak doesnt really interest me!
Whats the name of the complex in Pecatu you are staying at? sounds nice if they build a pool, how far roughly to kuta in traffic? about half an hour?

cheers for your help

lindsey

Hi,

Have a look at National Bank in Australia.

They offer a gold account which gives ATM access anywhere in the world for no charges. Only catch is a $12 pm fee if you have a below minimum balance. I am about to change to that myself.

Why buy a car for 6 months? You'll lose out bigtime.

$7000 for six months - NO PROBLEMS but will depend on location of course.

Travel insurance - crazy not to!

Ned