What's the best Australian bank?

Generally the best thing to do is visit a few banks and ask about what they can offer you. Bigger is not necessarily better and some of the smaller banks and credit unions have better fee structures.

Bank of QLD does have the second largest ATM network in the country at present (behind the commonwealth). A lot of there ATM's are stand alone ATM's located in stores or BP service stations. (I'm a bit bias though cause I work for them).

Below are a few links which can give you an overview of different banks and their accounts.

Best Bank In Australia

Bendigo Bank Atm Locations

any of the 4 big banks

all have AA Rating and there is only 18 in the world and in Australia we have 5

Commonwealth Bank

(NAB) National Australia Bank

ANZ

Westpac

you will need to do some homework for your self on each bank and your needs as each bank has merits

All Aussie banks are reliable. I have been there to Australia 3 times for studying purposes and I always opened with the Commonwealth Bank. But you can choose between Commonwealth, Westpack or ANZ which are the main banks and that offer you facilities.

I would advise against Commonwealth, their fees are ridiculous.

Bank of QLD, Bendigo, etc.. Do NOT have branches and ATMs everywhere. They are no cheaper then most other banks and are inconvenient.

Westpac is the first bank of Australia, there fees are reasonable, $3 a month for a everyday account combined with an attached savings account. I earn more then enough interest to cover my fees.

St George is another big bank, I like St Georges internet banking more then Westpacs, it appears more secure.

ANZ are alright but their fees were more, National is closing down its branches locally so again inconvenient.

EDIT - They only recently openned 3 branches in the Wollongong area (second biggest city in NSW), the only ATMs I see are at the branches, where other banks have ATMs through the shopping centres, which I think is more convenient. They may be bigger in your city, but not everywhere. I just don't want to give her false information.

I like the Bendigo Bank, they are a smaller bank with less branches but you get better service there.

I used to have accounts with the Commonwealth Bank but if you rang up to ask anything they would transfer you from one department to another, never return your calls etc.

At Bendigo you can ring your branch and talk to someone helpful.

Bendigo also changes you for what you use rather than changing you you monthly fees for nothing just to keep the account open.

And no, I don't have shares in the company :D

As others have said, all Oz banks are safe, theoretically.

However, if you want to avoid excessive fees, surly service, arrogant management, go with a Credit Union - these have minimal fees and are more member-friendly. Their cards (Redicard) work in most ATMs.

They're all safe.

Australia's retail banks are very heavily regulated and don't (and will never) have anything like the problems being experienced in the USA. You'll be fine with any of them, though fees and charges vary a fair bit from bank to bank and from account to account. Shop around for the deal that suits you best, but you can be fully confident that wherever you choose, it will be safe.

The 'big four' are Westpac, Commonwealth, NAB (National Australia Bank) and ANZ. I bank with the Bank of Queensland (branches and ATMs everywhere) and find it excellent and many people find Bendigo Bank to be good too.

EDIT:

Mel, I wasn't pushing B of Q as I'm simply a long time customer but you should know that according to their website, they have 281 Branches and 2,538 ATMs located in every state and I've always been able to find one wherever I was in Oz.They advertise that the number of ATMs is the second highest of all of the banks.

All Australian banks are safe.

I changed from Commonwealth Bank of Australia to Bank of Queensland as the fees for exactly the same service varied. I've found B of Q very good - I can't speak for all Australian cities, but the two I frequent have plenty of ATMS of most kinds - and even if you're not near an ATM - you can generally use your debit card at Woolworths or Coles without being charged a withdrawal fee - so I don't find it inconvenient to be with Bank of Queensland.

My boyfriend changed from ANZ to BoQ for the same reason - to save on fees. Exactly the same account type varied in account keeping fees - ANZ's fees generally seem excessive.

My bank has a branch nearby where the two owners know my name and remember me each time I come in. I receive personal service, which is more than I can say for any other bank I've used in the past. Of course, I can only speak from my own experience and wouldn't expect everyone to agree with this.

From conversations with my peers, in general, I'd avoid CBA and ANZ. Shop around - a credit union might be a better option depending on your own personal situation and location.