3,143 reviews
As of the 17th of August 2015, Mecu rebranded to Bank Australia.
AI reviews summary
Pros
Verdict
Overall sentiment toward Bank Australia is largely positive, driven by strong appreciation for its ethical stance, competitive rates, and the high quality of face-to-face customer service provided by branch and lending staff. While many customers report smooth digital onboarding and helpful human interactions, a subset of reviews points to friction regarding long telephone wait times, technical hurdles with online account creation and ID verification, and occasional communication gaps during complex lending processes.
Bank Australia Traralgon branch Teller Hayley was great and able to helped me with all my inquiries and transactions I need to do. She was so nice, professional, polite and helpful. Much appreciated all the help I got from her. Thank you and keep up the good work! Show details
For the Bank Australia in Fitzroy, although I am the aged member number [Number Removed] I have been impressed with the way that staff explain what I need to understand for proper banking. The recent staff members Sydney and Georgina, treated me with appreciation in spite of my age, as I strive to understand. Thank you,:-)
Reviews with attachments
Massive thanks to Dhiraj at Bank Australia for performing absolute magic and getting my home loan approved and settled. I came in with questions, nerves, and mild panic. he handled all of it like a pro. Dhiraj knows his stuff, explains things in human language (not scary bank jargon), and somehow made the whole process smooth, calm, and almost…… Read more · 1
enjoyable? Wild.
If you’re looking for a home loan specialist who’s sharp, patient, and can save you from a financial meltdown, Dhiraj is 100% the one. Would trust him again without hesitation!
Leila Gomes was very helpful! Very easy to get set up with a business bank account.
Exceptional Service and Unwavering Support – I recently finalised a home loan with Bank Australia and would like to convey my sincere appreciation for the outstanding assistance provided by Dhiraj, his managers, and the wider team. Throughout a complex and time-sensitive process—encompassing the Victorian Homebuyer Fund, multiple valuation delays, and strict finance clause deadlines—they… Read more
consistently demonstrated professionalism, responsiveness, and genuine care.
Dhiraj kept me fully informed at every stage, ensuring I always understood the situation and what was required next. When unexpected issues arose, he and his colleagues proactively found solutions before they could escalate, significantly reducing any potential stress. Their clear, accurate guidance enabled me to achieve final approval without unnecessary delays or repeated extensions.
The combination of expert knowledge, strong communication, and collaborative problem-solving transformed what could have been a stressful experience into a much more manageable one. I am truly grateful for their unwavering support and wholeheartedly recommend Bank Australia, along with Dhiraj, his managers, and the entire team, to anyone seeking both expertise and exceptional customer service.
Buying a Classic Car – After deciding to take the plunge and purchase an Australia Historical Motor Vehicle, I approached Bank Australia for a very sizable loan. Sean Bayzand (Lending Team) was my liaison and did a fantastic job of helping me to navigate the process. As I have been with Bank Australia through its many iterations since the late 1980's, I had some high… Read more
expectations - all of which were met or exceeded by Sean. The financial impact of the decision to take this loan was minimised, for me, where possible. Sean even made direct contact with the car dealer to ensure a smooth transition for the sale. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Thank you Sean!!! Thank you Bank Australia!!!
A wonderful banking experience – After awful experiences with both Rabo and Bendigo banks it was a breath of fresh air to receive the wonderful service provided by Amanda at the Ballarat branch, even phoned my disabled wife to help her through installing the app on her phone. I honestly cannot speak highly enough about the personal approach that Bank Australia delivers. Show details
BANK AUSTRALIA DISGRACEFULLY LINKS MANDATORY GOOGLE™ ACCOUNT & IT'S DATA HARVESTING GOOGLE PLAY™ SERVICE FOR ONLINE ACCOUNT CREATION IDENTITY VERIFICATION AND ON-GOING APP USE. Unsuccessful online 'onboarding' attempts in opening a Bank Australia Account recently had me phoning Bank Australia Customer Support. Drearily, I was first… Read more
greeted with that tedious and all too familiar recorded preamble that they were 'experiencing unusually high call volumes'. Indeed the 3 calls I ended up making involved waiting times of between 20 and 30 minutes each.
But in an even bigger waste of time, over stretched staff claimed to be not aware of any problem with their 'onboarding' server or even having any record of my futile efforts at their end. This despite my multiple ‘onboarding’ attempts via their Bank Australia portal. Two even made on a different device having made it laboriously through right to the very end only to annoyingly, inexplicably and irretrievably wipe the data having been already uploaded to the Bank Australia Server.
It would seem devotion to Bank Australia's proclaimed ‘award winning’ banking App via Google Play™ Store is a prerequisite for Bank Australia online 'onboarding' to complete successfully.
Google™ and app free Desktop Web based ‘onboarding’ is not an option with Bank Australia sending a Quick Release (QR) code instructing smart phone connection in such circumstances. Circumventing the use of desktops and mandating connection with only the direct use of a smart phone, its camera and motion sensors etc. Also applicants downloading an Android coded Bank Australia App from a source, as did I, other than the Play Store™ itself will find no ultimate functionality outside of Google Play™ Services. Additional software framework dependencies trojanized by Google Play™ onto a users device as part of a 'Sign in with Google' seemingly necessary for the Bank Australia binary to function correctly and 'talk' successfully with the Bank Australia onboarding server.
iPhone's™ 'Walled Garden' software ecosystem where an Apple™ ID is needed to provide an iPhone™ user access to Apple's™ App Store℠ fairs no better. Where once in, a user must then ultimately surrender to Google’s™ terms of service to provide Google™ privileged access to hardware of that Apple™ branded device. Allowing Google™ your IP address, geopositioning and other data not immediately transparent in Google’s™ ‘Terms of Service’.
Of course Bank Australia will be quick to point out that data collected in the actual Bank Australia app is not linked to your identity, which well might be true.
NOT NECESSARILY SO A DEVISE LINKED TO A 'SIGN IN WITH GOOGLE'. Be aware of what data collection a user of these ‘free’ services must agree to Google™ surreptitiously collecting.
Prove me wrong Bank Australia, lets see if your server software can play nicely without applicants being sneakingly marketed to by being required to agree also to Google's™ terms of service. And the necessity of having to install Google Play™ spyware on an applicants devise. Or are you happy for your brand and for your customers to remain used and covertly monetized by Google’s™ ‘free’ services?
So far the silence from Bank Australia has been deafening. Perhaps pandering to the number of degoogled deviants like myself is not worth their attention. If so I think a rename from Bank Australia to Google Bank (Trade marked of course) might be more transparent.
One of the accompanying screen shots shows the culmination of my online attempts at 'onboarding' without the all knowing Google™. Bank Australia’s server suddenly spat the dummy, refusing further of my IP’s traffic. Unconvincingly announcing it was 'Down for Maintenance' . . . Perhaps it was just merely coincidence? Only Google™ might know. Hail Google™!
WORK AROUND HACK FOR THOSE UNWILLING THE ENTRAPMENT OF GOOGLE™
1/. Easy Method: Sign with another Bank who's app is not dependent on third-party 'services' for functionality. They do exist.
2/. Alternatively for the bloody minded: The Bank Australia 'App' is necessary initially only for online account identity verification. When that invariable fails for degoogled applicant's, Bank Australia give alternatives to visit the only branch (in my case) in the whole of Queensland, print the forms yourself or have forms Posted out via snail mail. Your Drivers licence or Passport etc witnessed by a JP or the likes and posted/emailed back. Excessively laborious and time consuming for any recalcitrant not already or unwilling to 'Sign up with Google'.
3/. The Bank Australia 'App' is NOT NECESSARY to operate an account via a smart phone ONCE AN ACCOUNT HAS BEEN CREATED. Simply adding the Bank Australia web login URL
https://digital.bankaust.com.au
opened from a smart phones browser as a short cut to the Home screen will provide quick assess to app like functionality. But annoyingly, the same screen will also prompt you with a pop up every time, (see screen shot) intimidatingly insistent you download the Bank Australia app. Which of course is best avoided. Lest even short cut functionality then be broken. But only for those like myself, missing that Orwellian Google™ identity.
Oh . . . and needless to say . . . don’t even think about getting Google Pay™ ‘tap to pay’ to work ! !
Written 28th February 2026
I do not have time to be 98 th in que to talk to someone to transfer funds, I do not have a branch in Perth to talk to someone, normally there pretty good but my confidence is dwindling I emailed over 48 hours ago no return correspondence!! Show details
Latest follow-ups
Outstanding responsiveness – I visited the Fitzroy Branch and was blown away by their outstanding customer service - responsive and caring. I accidentally dropped some cash in the branch, and they followed up by phone immediately. I continue to be very impressed by this Bank. Show details
Follow-up · Thr bank continues to provide excellent service which is person-centred by phone and excellent online too.
We were served by a delightful and extremely helpful young woman called Tylah. Nothing was too much trouble for her:)
Follow-up · Wait was minimal. Branch was ballarat and she helped us with the transferring of money to buy a car. She was extremely thorough, extremely security conscious, and, made it a thoroughly professional and enjoyable experience:)
Opened new account – Great efficient and very friendly service at Doveton St Ballarat branch. Thank you Show details
Follow-up · Well the Doveton St Branch is now closed which is a nuisance…. so now I go to the Sturt St Branch. But the staff are always friendly and helpful. It’s been awhile since I set up that account but from memory it was quick and easy and the staff member understood what I wanted. It’s a cosy little branch.
Find out how Bank Australia compares to other Banks
Know better, choose better.
In-depth reviews
I went to buy food at Woolies and my card was declined. Checked banking app, could view account and had money so didn't know what was wrong. Went home and called the bank only to be told that my account was suspended due to tax residency issues. Despite providing my tax file number and residency details at sign up, I apparently wasn't considered… Read more
an Australian tax resident due to some error on my forms or missing information (still not sure which is the issue). Given that I had assistance from Bank Australia when completing the forms, this seems odd.
Bank Australia say they called and sent sms telling me my account was going to be suspended; no such call or sms was received. A second Bank Australia employee told me that they are not able to send sms as they are not secure, so the first person had told a lie.
Bank Australia said they had emailed me multiple times since May, so I went back and checked, hilariously the ONLY email from them not titled "IMPORTANT", was one simply titled 'Tax Residency', which I received on July 6th (not multiple times and not in May), and had overlooked because it didn't appear important.
My question is this, why didn't someone contact me via telephone to tell me something was wrong with my account when it was set up? They had half a year to do so. And why didn't they call to tell me my accounts would be suspended, or even let me know via secure messaging within the bank Australia app and online website. Seriously ridiculous!
After re-submitting my tax residency paperwork last week (with the exact same information I was told to provide back in January when I opened my accounts), I still have no access to my accounts. I have called, emailed, sent messages via secure mail and submitted an enquiry via the website, still no answer and no access to my money. Payments into and out of my accounts have been rejected. I cannot receive income, buy food, pay for medication, rent or transport. I am just waiting....
Thanks for reaching out and sharing this important… Read more (+1 reply)
Really great customer owned bank that looks after its customers instead gouging the customers like the other Profit motivated banks, especially the Big 4 banks. However, it does have some customer service issues. Some things cannot be done using the Internet Banking Platform. So you have to call and sit in the queue. You can have an External… Read more · 1
Transfer Limit of $5,000 per day, but you're NOT allowed to have a $3,000 or $4,000 External Transfer Limit. Crazy right? If an External Transfer Limit of $2,000 per day is too low and $5,000 is too high, then you have to call Bank Australia and beg them to give you a $3,000 External Transfer Limit. Only the Manager can do this from the backend. 40 minutes wasted on the phone, again.
If you have a Term Deposit, Bank Australia does NOT give you the option to have the interest paid to your Nominated account at maturity.
Instead, the Principal & Interest are reinvested again. Bank Australia does give you a 14-day Grace Period when you can Transfer money IN and OUT of your Term Deposit. But sometimes this does NOT work as it will only allow you to Transfer money IN and not OUT.
You only find out about this problem when your Term Deposit matures, and you try to transfer your interest OUT. So, you have to call the bank to have the issue resolved and have your interest transferred OUT. Bank Australia places an unnecessary reliance and heavy burden on its Call Centre when all these issues can be promptly resolved with an efficient and user-friendly Internet Banking platform.
If Bank Australia sorts out these online technical Customer Service issues, it would be streets ahead of its competition. Cheers.
I've been with Bank Australia since 2017, but only started using their credit offerings in 2025. I felt comfortable looking into this due to Bank Australia's great track record with responsible lending and ethical financial practices - plus, I'd seen first hand (through friends) how well they ensure their customers are protected against potential… Read more
scams and fraud.
I'd like to particularly compliment Tia Hendy (Lending), who has been a superstar with customer service on several occasions. In my first experience with Bank Australia's lending team, she ensured robust assessment of my application within a tight timeframe - ensuring I was able to use my new card while travelling.
Recently Tia also assisted with my request for a credit limit adjustment, and was just as helpful and friendly as I recalled from last year. She's clear with her questions, never leans on financial jargon, and was always happy to give more context for any questions I seemed uncertain about. Tia is also really proactive and clear about expected timeframes. I'm used to hearing things like "we'll get back to you in a few days" from other banks, so hearing "You should hear from me by COB today, all going to plan" (and then, indeed, hearing from her before COB!) is really impressive to me. Tia's a credit (!) to Bank Aus and has, impressively, further increased my (already strong!) confidence about continuing to bank with them going forward.
Positive reviews
Always someone (a human!) on the other side of the phone. Quick responses, friendly support through the process of opening accounts and completing the various forms. ETHICAL. Show details
Gunjan was extremely patient & helpful setting up accounts for us as we move over to BA from another bank. The difference in customer service is wholly the reason we switched to Bank Australia & Gunjan was a great example of that.
I attended the Collins street Head Office and I was served by a personal banker called Ayden whose service was impeccable. He was able to answer all my questions and was very helpful in solving my problems. Show details
Negative reviews
I was really excited to move my banking to Bank Australia, but after 4 months, I’m done. Their customer service is awful. Their support of their clients equally so. Setting up Commercial accounts was cumbersome and old school with little support. Extremely limited online servicing. Huge waits on holds being transferred from team to team, none of… Read more
which can answer a question or who then tell you ‘no sorry, that’s not how we do it’. I so wanted to get away from the big four and after my mortgage was paid out and I had more freedom, moving to BA was one of the first things I did, as I believed in their stated ethical standards with regards to climate and environment. But unfortunately, their core business is a dogs breakfast, so I doubt their ethical abilities now too. I’ll be closing my accounts as soon as possible. My patience is shot.
Hi Annemaree, thanks for reaching out and sharing… Read more (+3 replies)
Extremely disappointed with Bank Australia's handling of my car loan. Everything was pre-approved over a month ago — I'd already sent through the final invoice and insurance as requested. After waiting 4 months for this car, they contacted me just 24 hours before payment was due to say they now can't process it, because Tesla can't provide a rego… Read more
until the car is paid for and picked up. This is apparently due to a policy change within the last week — something that was never communicated to me until it was almost too late.
Because of this last-minute change, I'm now at risk of losing my $400 deposit and possibly the car itself, if I can't secure a comparable rate with another bank in time. Having a pre-approved loan pulled at the final hour, over a policy change the bank made themselves, with no warning, is completely unacceptable. Terrible communication and no consideration for the impact on customers who've already committed time and money based on their approval.
Hi Dilkash, thanks for reaching out and sharing… Read more (+1 reply)
Tried to open an account. Failed! First online attempt wouldn’t recognise gov’t photo ID. Tried to call, couldn’t get on to anybody. Tried different ID, succeeded, then failed as I already had an account, which I didn’t! Tried to call and got onto somebody who said I’d have to fill out a form & email. Did that only to be told that form had to be… Read more
posted with JP certified copies of ID….too many hurdles, too hard, taking my money elsewhere….hopeless, took 3 days to realise. Hope this review saves you time….
Hi Michael, We’re really sorry to hear about your… Read more
Find out how Bank Australia compares to other Banks
Know better, choose better.
Recent reviews
Mick was great to deal with throughout the whole home loan process. He was very responsive, easy to communicate with, and always made sure things got sorted quickly. He kept me updated along the way and made the whole process feel straightforward and stress-free. Really appreciated his help and would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a reliable and efficient broker. Show details
I dealt with Loyd Lapinig. He assisted me from the beginning until after I got the car loan, providing the required advice and even answering to my sometime silly questions. all my gratitude to him! Show details
Went to the bank to sign up and the service was fantastic from Rao. Explained everything to me in details and also mentioned about the ethical part of what the bank represent. Show details
I spoke with Rob from Bank Australia lending about a loan we have. It was such a pleasant experience to call a Bank, have a human answer after a few minutes and explain in such a nice way, what our options were and so lovely to receive friendly informative customer service. Thanks Rob and Bank Australia for keeping jobs in Australia and finding amazing people who look after their customers.
We have been with Bank Australia for approximately 3 years. We experienced exceptional service from Alana Bremner in the lending team for a recent loan. She was incredibly quick and responsive as well as thorough and helpful. Always able to assist and very quick to get in touch or respond to any enquiries. I love this bank and reccommend it to everyone due to their ethical standards and high quality service. Show details · 1
I have banked with BankAustralia (and its predecessor MECU) for over 35 years and they have always been outstanding. My needs have not been complex, mostly online, and their services have suited me perfectly. I don't need complex multi verification logon, or persistent bots offering 'help', or constant warnings about my safety. BA delivers ease… Read more
of use yet I always feel that my accounts and data are well protected - and BA has contacted me on a couple of occasions when they have needed to provide protection, e.g. when a range of credit card numbers were compromised. I feel BA is paying attention, knows me, knows the type of transaction I do and doesn't need to apply generic warnings just so they can tick their legal check boxes rather than take care of me personally. I also appreciate BA's ethical investment history and competitive savings rates.
I visited Bank Australia branch at 356 Collins Street, Melbourne on 7 July 2026. I am a new customer, having transitioned from Australian Unity Bank to BA in 2025. I had issues with two accounts that had been set up in my name following the transition. I had to change the name of one of the accounts from my casual name (Judy) to my official name… Read more
(Judith).
I met Adhieu who was extremely pleasant, calm, methodical, practical and got the job done efficiently. She is a very impressive operator. She had a team meeting to discuss the options which required the "Judy" account to be closed, the funds transferred to the "Judith" account.
Adhieu made sure that everything was sorted before I left, encouraging me to withdraw $20 to ensure all was in order. It was.
Please pass on my thanks for her.
Regards, Judy Ryan
One to one face to face – Personalise assistance from Vic a lifesaver. Would have given up with online stuff without him. With bank since 1992. Online makes everything much more difficult and one to one face to face is invaluable Show details
Extra Information
ProductReview.com.au has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence our content moderation policies in any way, though ProductReview.com.au may earn commissions for products/services purchased via affiliate links.
HI Brov, We’re really sorry for the long wait… Read more