Mozo guides

Beating bank fees

The first step to avoid any sneaky bank charges is to be aware of the common fees that can eat away from your monthly bank balance. Here's a list of the charges that you need to watch out for:

Bank Account Comparison Table - last updated 29 March 2024

Search promoted bank accounts below or do a full Mozo database search. Advertiser disclosure
  • Spend Account

    $0.00

    Apple Pay, Google Wallet, PayID, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, Garmin Pay

    0% p.a.

    No monthly fees and no charges for overseas or online payments from ubank. Stay one step ahead with ubank’s spending insights and bill prediction. Apple Pay and Google Pay compatible. Deposits guaranteed up to $250K per customer.

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  • Everyday Options

    $0.00

    Apple Pay, Google Wallet, PayID

    0.01% p.a.

    An easy, everyday banking account packed with flexible options to help you spend, budget & save better. $0 monthly account keeping fees & option to add up to 9 sub-accounts.

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  • Orange Everyday

    $0.00

    Apple Pay, Google Wallet, PayID, PayTo

    0% p.a.

    The everyday bank account that could pay you for paying bills. Get 1% cashback on eligible utility bills (up to $100), $0 ING international transaction fees, and up to 5 rebated ATM withdrawals a month here or overseas (T&Cs apply)+ no monthly fees. Winner of the Mozo Experts Choice Awards 2023 for Exceptional Everyday Account.^

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  • Everyday Global Account

    $0.00

    Apple Pay, Google Wallet

    0% p.a.

    No overseas ATM fees & up to 10 currencies in one account. Switch between currencies instantly 24/7 wherever you are using the mobile app. Receive 2% Cashback on eligible tap and pay transactions under $100. Mozo's Experts Choice 2023 winner for Exceptional Everyday Account.^

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  • Carbon Insights Account

    $0.00

    Apple Pay, PayID, Google Pay

    0.01% p.a.

    An online-only transaction account with carbon insights available through the Suncorp App. $0 monthly account keeping fees & option to add up to 9 sub-accounts.

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Monthly bank fees. Some banks charge a monthly fee of about $4-$6 for simply maintaining your account. Fortunately, there are a number of banks and financial institutions that offer accounts with no account keeping fee. 

ATM fees. Your bank will have a network of fee-free ATMs, but if you withdraw cash from an out-of-network ATM, you'll need to pay an extra $2.50. That's why it's important to look for a bank that comes with a wide network of ATMs. 

International ATM charges. If you withdraw cash from an ATM while you’re abroad, you'll have to cough up an international ATM withdrawal fee of between $2-$5 for every withdrawal. 

International transaction charges. Are you planning to use your debit card for online shopping from a store overseas? Then remember that you may need to may an overseas transaction fees of between 2-3%. 

Over the counter transaction fees. When you make an assisted transaction in a bank branch or through phone banking, you may be required to pay a fee of about $2. Similarly, any cheque written by you and negotiated through the clearing system may also incur an extra fee.

Dishonour fee. This refers to the fee that you'll need to pay if any transaction on your account is dishonoured because of insufficient cleared funds in the account. This is usually between $5-$10 and applies to payments made via cheques, direct debit and regular scheduled transactions.

Mozo's Top 5 Bank Fee Busters

With some simple planning and smart money management you can easily avoid paying bank fees.

  • 1. Ask for a loyalty rebate. Having a bank account, credit card and high interest account (for example) all with the same institution should entitle you to lower or no monthly fees.
  • 2. Negotiate a better deal. Banks seem scary and institutional, but if the competition is offering a better deal, use this to get a reduction on services like your monthly fee and transaction charges.
  • 3. Avoid features you don't use. Don't pay extra charges for features you don't really need to use. This includes issuing cheques, branch access, etc.
  • 4. Avoid features you pay to use. For instance, get cash out when making an EFTPOS purchase to minimise transactions.
  • 5. Find a fee-free bank account. Many banks offer to waive the extra charges as long as your fulfil certain conditions like maintaining a minimum balance in your account. While the wrong account can cost $100 a year or more, the right account can save you a bundle. Check out our quick bank account comparison now for the best bank deals.
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^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Bank Account Awards

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