Scenario 1

Open a Bank Account for Work

You are a new arrival in Australia and need a bank account to get paid, pay rent and manage your everyday money. This page helps you practise realistic questions and Aussie phrases in a clean, easy-to-read layout.

Stylized bank building illustration
Banking words and account setup
Stylized debit card illustration
Debit card and payment options

Aussie money words

Account-keeping fee A monthly fee for having the account. Tap-and-go Paying by tapping your card or phone. BSB The six-digit bank branch number used with your account number. BPAY A common way to pay Australian bills through online banking. Direct debit A company takes money from your account automatically on a set date. Surcharge An extra fee added to a card payment. Osko / PayID Fast bank transfer options used by many Australian banks. Statement A record of money going in and out of your account.

Visual references

Use these photos to connect the words to real banking scenes.

Bank building in Port Adelaide
Bank building: shows where you go to open an account or ask for help.
Debit card photo
Debit card: the card linked directly to your bank account.
ATM point outside a bank
ATM: useful for talking about cash withdrawals and ATM fees.
Tap pay point device
Tap-and-go reader: helps explain card payments and payment options.

Sample bank conversation

Bank officer: G’day, welcome to Commonwealth Bank. How can I help today?

Customer: Hi, I’d like to open a new account. I’m here for work and need an account to get paid.

Bank officer: No worries. We have an Everyday Account for wages and rent. For a new arrival, a no-fee or low-fee option is usually best if you don’t want to pay account-keeping fees.

Customer: That sounds good. Does the account come with a Visa debit card and internet banking?

Bank officer: Yep, it comes with a debit card, online banking, and the app. You can also use BPAY and set up direct debit for rent.

Steps to ask the bank teller

1. Say why you need the account

Tell the teller you need an account for wages, rent and everyday spending.

Hint

“I’m opening an account for work and rent. Which account is best for a worker/new arrival?”

2. Ask about fees

Check if the account has any monthly or account-keeping fees.

Hint

“Does this account have an account-keeping fee?”

“Do you have an account with no monthly account-keeping fee?”

3. Ask about the card and online banking

Make sure you can use the account for shopping, rent payments and online banking.

Hint

“Is a Visa debit card included? Can I use internet banking, BPAY and tap-and-go?”

4. Ask what ID they need

Tell the teller what documents you already have with you.

Hint

“What ID do I need? I have my passport, work visa and a letter from my employer.”

“What documents do I need to open the account?”

5. Ask about your pay details

Find out what information you need to give your employer.

Hint

“What is the BSB and account number I should give my employer?”

6. Ask when the card will arrive

Check how long you need to wait before your debit card is ready.

Hint

“How long until the debit card arrives?”

“How long will it take for the card to arrive?”

7. Ask about ATM fees

Find out if you pay extra when you use another bank's ATM.

Hint

“Will I be charged if I use another bank’s ATM?”

“Are there any extra fees I should know about?”

8. Ask about overdrawing your account

Check what happens if there is not enough money for rent, bills or direct debit.

Hint

“What happens if a payment comes out and I don’t have enough money?”

9. Ask about international transfer fees

Check the cost before you send money overseas or receive money from overseas.

Hint

“How much does it cost to send money overseas, and is the exchange rate shown before I pay?”

10. Ask about pay problems

Ask what to check if your wages do not arrive on the expected day.

Hint

“If my pay does not arrive, what should I check first?”

11. Ask about rent payments

Find out the safest way to pay rent and prove that you paid.

Hint

“What is the best way to pay rent so I have a record of the payment?”

12. Ask about losing your card

Know what to do quickly if your card is lost, stolen or used by someone else.

Hint

“What should I do if I lose my card or see a payment I did not make?”

“I think this payment might be a mistake.”

13. Ask about scam safety

Learn what the bank will never ask for and how to stay safe.

Hint

“How can I tell if a bank message or phone call is a scam?”

14. Ask about low-balance alerts

Set up reminders so you do not miss bills or run out of money before payday.

Hint

“Can I get alerts when my balance is low or when a bill is due?”

“Can you help me set up alerts?”

Transaction order

Go through the list in order. Use a different bank teller for each transaction and get the teller's signature when you are finished.

1. Cash your first check

Hint

“Hi. I’d like to cash this check, please.”

2. Deposit your money into your account

Hint

“I’d like to deposit this money into my account, please.”

3. Cash your other check

Hint

“Could I cash this check as well, please?”

4. Pay your telephone bill

Hint

“I’d like to pay this telephone bill, please.”

5. Withdraw $600.00

Hint

“I’d like to withdraw $600.00 from my account, please.”

6. Pay your electricity bill

Hint

“I’d like to pay this electricity bill, please.”

7. Change $200 into American money

Hint

“I’d like to change $200 into American money, please.”

8. Pay your gas bill

Hint

“I’d like to pay this gas bill, please.”

9. Deposit your remaining money

Hint

“I’d like to deposit my remaining money into my account, please.”

Roleplay checklist

  1. Ask about account-keeping or monthly fees.
  2. Confirm whether the account has no monthly account-keeping fee.
  3. Check if the debit card and online banking are included.
  4. Ask what the BSB and account number are for pay.
  5. Ask if there are fees for using another bank’s ATM or for international transfers.
  6. Ask what happens if a payment fails because there is not enough money.
  7. Ask how to pay rent and bills with a payment record.
  8. Ask what to do if your card is lost or a payment looks wrong.
  9. Ask how to set up low-balance and payment alerts.

Talk it through

Answer these questions after the roleplay.

  • Why is it important to ask whether a bank account has a monthly account-keeping fee?
  • How can a Visa debit card and online banking help you manage wages, shopping, rent and bills?
  • What ID or documents might you need when you open a bank account for work?
  • What bank details should you give your employer so they can pay your wages?
  • Why should you ask about ATM fees and international transfer fees before using those services?
  • What could happen if rent, a bill or a direct debit comes out when you do not have enough money?
  • Why is it useful to pay rent or bills by bank transfer or BPAY instead of cash?
  • What should you do first if your card is lost or you see a payment you did not make?
  • For an extra follow-up question, visit At the Bank Level 2 Role Plays and discuss one more bank situation.

Use your own words. Try to give one real-life example for each answer.

BPAY vs PayID with Osko

BPAY and PayID with Osko are both Australian payment services, but they are used for different jobs. PayID with Osko is for fast person-to-person transfers using an email, phone number or ABN. BPAY is for secure bill payments using a Biller Code and Customer Reference Number.

Feature PayID with Osko BPAY
Primary use Splitting bills, sending money to friends or paying tradies. Paying utilities, credit cards and government bills.
Speed Instant, usually under a minute. Usually 1-2 business days.
Identifiers required A registered PayID, such as a mobile number, email or ABN. A Biller Code and Customer Reference Number (CRN).
Availability 24/7, 365 days a year. 24/7 access, but payments process on business days.
Recipient type Individuals or small businesses with a linked bank account. Registered businesses such as telcos, energy companies and councils.
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