Australian bank ATM fees (and how to avoid them)
Avoid ATMs feed by making withdrawals at your own bank ATMs, or a Big Four bank ATM. And watch out for independent, non-bank ATMs that charge withdrawal fees of $3 or more.
Key takeaways
- It's fairly easy to avoid ATM fees by using your own bank's ATMs or any ATM from CommBank, ANZ, NAB or Westpac. Banks never charge you for using their own ATMs if you're a customer.
- Independently owned ATMs can charge fees of $3 or more. But even then, some of these ATMs partner with major banks to offer customers free-free withdrawals.
- But with more independent ATMs and fewer bank ATMs around these days, you have to be careful not to get hit with an ATM fee.
Australian bank ATM fees and charges, partnerships and alliances
You can use this table to see whether or not your bank has any ATM partners that offer you ATM withdrawals without a fee.
| Institution | ATM partners | Withdrawal fee for other Australian bank cards |
|---|---|---|
 |
| $0 |
 |
| $0 |
 |
| $0 |
 |
| $0 |
 |
| $0 |
 |
| $0 |
 |
| $0 |
 |
| $0 |
 |
| N/A (you will be notified of the cost at specific ATMs before you proceed with a transaction) |
 |
| $0.70 |
 | N/A | $0 |
 |
| $0 |
 |
| $0 |
 |
| The fee may vary from $1.50 to $3.50. |
 |
| $0 |
The biggest ATM networks in Australia
Finder survey: Do Australians regularly have cash in their wallet?
Response | |
|---|---|
| Yes | 55.98% |
| No | 44.02% |
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1004 Australians, December 2023
Independently owned ATM fees
There are many independent ATMs in Australian now, with multiple operators. You can find these machines inside pubs, clubs, convenience stores and in public places.
They work just like bank ATMs but they charge an ATM withdrawal fee. These fees vary widely, you will cost at least $2 or $3 but can go even higher.
You can avoid withdrawal fees if your bank is an ATM partner
Atmx is one of the largest independent ATM networks in Australia. If you have a debit card with one of its partner banks you can make fee-free withdrawals.
These ATM partners are:
- ANZ
- Suncorp Bank
- Westpac
- BankSA
- St.George Bank
- Bank of Melbourne
- Horizon Bank
- Bank Orange
- BCU Bank
- P&N Bank
- AMP Bank
- RACQ Bank
- Police Credit Union
- Warwick Credit Union
- Central Murray Credit Union Limited
- Police Bank
- BankWAW
- Central West Credit Union
- BNK Banking Corporation
- GMCU
- Broken Hill Community Credit Union
- Dnister Ukranian Credit Co-operative Ltd
- Transport Mutual Credit Union
- Defence Bank
Note that atmx acquired rediATM in 2019, so it has the same partner banks.
How to avoid paying ATM fees
Use a partner ATM or any of the big four banks' ATMs
Use an ATM owned by your financial institution or a partner ATM. Check your bank’s website or mobile app for an ATM locator that can advise you of nearby machines you can use for free.
The four major Australian banks – and a handful of others – don't charge ATM fees for out-of-network Australian cards. As these ATMs are typically the easiest ones to find, you shouldn't have an issue making a fee-free cash withdrawal with your debit card.
Use a global alliance ATM if you’re overseas
There is a Global ATM Alliance that gives people who bank with partnered financial institutions a way to use ATMs for free around the world. In Australia, Westpac is part of this alliance, which means Westpac Group cardholders (Bank of Melbourne, BankSA and St.George) can make withdrawals for free at a huge number of international ATMs.
For example, if you were using a Westpac Group card in France, you wouldn't be charged fees at BNP Paribas ATMs. Or, if you were in the UK, you could avoid international ATM withdrawal fees at Barclays Bank ATMs.
Plus, most ATMs in Europe don’t charge a local ATM operator fee, so the main charges you’ll incur will be from your own bank if you don’t use a partner ATM.
Use a fee-free debit account
If you want to avoid ATM withdrawal fees, a fee-free debit card is another option. The ING Orange Everyday Account, the ME Bank Everyday Transaction Account and the Citibank Plus Everyday Account all offer fee-free withdrawals to cardholders.
However, some of these debit cards have terms and conditions you need to meet to be eligible for fee-free withdrawals, so make sure you read the fine print or contact the bank to find out if you qualify.
Which bank has the biggest ATM network in Australia?
Our expert says: Bank ATMs are getting harder to find
"The number of bank ATMs peaked in 2016. Since then, banks have been shrinking both the number of branches and ATMs in their networks. But independent, fee-charging ATMs are becoming more common. Depending on where you live, it may be hard to actually find a fee-free bank ATM. "
What fees will I be charged for using my credit card at an ATM?
When you use a credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, you'll be charged a cash advance fee worth around 2-3% of the transaction amount, or a minimum dollar value of around $2 to $5. You'll also attract the cash advance interest rate from the date of the transaction.
Even if your credit card doesn't charge overseas ATM withdrawal fees, you'll still attract the relevant cash advance charges. Given the high fees and interest rates, you may want to consider using your debit card to make ATM withdrawals instead.
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hi i am wondering if i am able to use commonwealth atm to withdraw cash from my bendigo account and will it cost me also wondering if bendigo bank Atm’s in tasmania have the cardless cash option as i have just opened an account with bendigo bank and wont have my card for up to 10 days
Hi Deborah, thanks for your inquiry!
Unfortunately Bendigo Bank does not currently have a cardless cash option. Without a card withdrawing from a Commonwealth Bank ATM would not be supported. The cost for withdrawal from a non Bendigo Bank/ Suncorp ATM from a Commonwealth Bank ATM is $2.00 .
Cheers,
Jonathan
sorry I have just asked a question and lost the possible reply..(re ATM matters for my ASB Auckland account
HI Gordon. I’ve sent something to your email. Jacob.
If I use my ASB New Zealand card for cash withdrawals in Australia. First of all is that OK and, if so, what will the cost be, if any, of a withdrawal ?
Hi Gordon. Thanks for your question. You should be able to use your New Zealand Card at Australian outlets / merchants where Visa, MasterCard or American Express are accepted. There may be a cost, usually a cash advance fee, cash advance interest rate, cross currency conversion fee, international ATM fee and local ATM operator fee ($2.00-$2.50) when you use your card to make a withdrawal from an ATM and a cross currency conversion fee and purchase rate of interest when you make a purchase. Please check with your credit card issuer and the credit contract you received when you got the card for a full list of international fees and charges. Jacob.