Banking overseas
When you’re planning on travelling outside of Australia, it’s important to let us know before you leave. We have systems in place to help us identify fraudulent activity, and potentially suspicious transactions such as overseas payments are monitored and investigated.
We’ll update our records with your destination so that you can continue accessing your money with ease and peace of mind, no matter where in the world you are.
The information we need to know includes which countries you’ll be visiting, when you expect to be back in Australia and how we can reach you if we suspect fraudulent activity has taken place on your account.
To let us know about your travel plans, you can use Secure Mail in internet banking or in the mobile app go to Overseas Travel > Your Travel Plans.
You can also call 1300 228 228 or visit your nearest branch and one of our friendly team will be happy to assist.
If you're travelling for work or leisure you'll be able to access your BCU Bank account in the following ways.
You can access your account information via internet banking and the mobile app. It’s a good idea to ensure you have International Roaming on your mobile provider to ensure you can still receive your Secure SMS codes
You can use your Visa Debit or Credit card to make purchases overseas. Remember to make sure you have international transactions allowed in Card Controls.
You'll need to enter your PIN number when paying. A 3% conversion rate applies in addition to the conversion from the foreign currency amount to Australian dollars so it can be processed through your account.
You can use your Visa Debit or Credit card to make ATM withdrawals too. Remember, there is a fee for every ATM withdrawal, and 3% conversion rate applies to convert the transaction into Australian dollars.
Alternatively, we offer the MasterCard Multi-currency Cash Passport.
When you're travelling overseas you can access your account information using internet banking or the mobile app.
If you prefer using internet banking it's a good idea to change your secure code method to the Symantec VIP app or security token, as secure SMS codes can only be sent to Australian mobile phone numbers.
And don't forget to advise us when and where you're travelling.
Secure SMS codes can only be sent to an Australian registered mobile phone number.
We recommend you download and use the mobile app whilst travelling outside of Australia.
If you need help whilst overseas, you can call us on +61 5646 5900 during business hours Mon-Fri 8am-6pm and Sat 9am-1pm AEST.
Secure codes to validate internet banking transactions can also be generated using the Symantec VIP Access App, or a physical token.
These token options will generate a random one-off secure code, which can be entered in BCU internet banking to validate a transaction.
Authentication of the secure code generated by the security token is provided using the Symantec Validation & ID Protection (VIP) Online Security service which is enabled by the global VIP (VeriSign Identity Protection) network.
When should I use a security token or app?
If you don’t have access to a reliable mobile phone service to receive SMS Secure Codes, or are living or travelling overseas, we offer the alternative of using the Symantec VIP Access App or a physical token that you are able to use when you complete an at risk transaction.
You can download the VIP Access App from the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.
Please visit your local branch or call 1300 228 228 to discuss your options and apply for a token.
To register the VIP Access App or a Physical token to generate Secure codes for BCU internet banking, you must first be registered for Secure SMS, and then you can register a Security Token. You can download the VIP Access App from the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.
Once you’ve downloaded the VIP Access App, you can register your token in internet banking by going to Services > Register Token
Once registered your App/Token will be your primary method of generating Secure codes until you deregister the service.
An overseas withdrawal fee of applies when you use your Visa Debit card or Visa Credit Card overseas to withdraw cash.
A Visa Foreign Currency conversion fee of the currency value will apply when you make a transaction using your Visa Credit or Visa Debit card:
- in a foreign currency using either online or at a merchant point of sale, or
- in Australian Dollars when either the merchant or its financial institution/payment processor is located overseas.
If you have a Visa Debit card or Visa Credit card it can be used anywhere overseas that accepts Visa - that’s over 40 million merchants and 2.5 million ATMs globally.
Alternatively, you can get a MasterCard Multi-currency Cash Passport through us.
There are several reasons why your overseas payments or transfers might be blocked.
You may have turned off International payments using Card Controls, so it's worth checking that first. If you didn't advise us you were heading overseas your card may have been blocked by our Fraud Department due to unusual activity. Some payments you make online may be protected by Visa Secure and you'll need to enter extra information to confirm your identity.
You can contact us on +61 2 8299 9543 or by using Secure Mail in the mobile app, to advise us of your travel arrangements and discuss any transaction issues you may be experiencing.
International payments
Before you can make an international payment, you will need to set up an overseas transfer limit. You can do this by calling us on or visiting a branch.
The maximum international transfer limit is $10,000 AUD. We advise setting your limit to the minimum required for your payment needs to reduce the impact of potential fraudulent activity.
If you’d like to change this limit at any time, you will need to contact us.
When you first open your account with us your international transfer limit is set to $0 for your security.
To register for international payments using the mobile app or internet banking, please contact us on 1300 228 228 during business hours or visit your nearest branch.
You can transfer money overseas in the mobile app or internet banking.
First, you'll need to register your account for International Transfers. You can call us on 1300 228 228 (+61 2 8299 9534 from overseas), or message us via Secure Mail to register.
Once your account is registered, you need the following information to make the transfer
- Transfer amount and required currency
- Purpose or reason of payment
- Beneficiary details including name and full street address
- Bank sort code/SWIFT address/chips/routing number
- Beneficiary account number
- IBAN (this is mandatory for transfers sent to the United Kingdom or European Union)
- Bank name
- Full bank address (full street address is mandatory)
- Special instructions (if any)
Go to Transfer/Pay > International Payments in internet banking or the mobile app and enter the payment amount and currency to get a quote. Once you proceed to make the payment you will be asked to enter the receiving bank and further payment information above.
Money is sent by electronic transfer by our partners Convera, and will usually take 3 to 5 business days to arrive at the overseas bank. The exchange rate is calculated at the time of processing, and the fee will be debited from your account at the end of day.
International Transfers can also be arranged at your nearest branch.
The easiest way to send money overseas is to use internet banking or the mobile app.
Overseas payments can be made online using the International Payment Service, powered by Convera
International transfer fees
- International transfer using mobile app or internet banking: $15.00
- In branch telegraphic transfer in foreign currency: $30.00
- In branch telegraphic transfer in Australian dollars: $45.00
A telegraphic transfer can also be requested at any one of our branches.
Please call us on 1300 228 228 if you require any help setting up and using international transfers.
When you send a telegraphic transfer overseas, the money is usually received within 3 to 5 business days excluding time differences, however some currencies may take longer than others to arrive. Timelines are only approximate and may be held up if Convera requires more information or additional details about the payment.
You can receive money from overseas directly to your BCU Bank account using our International Payments Service, powered by Convera. This is called an inward transfer – an electronic transfer of funds directly credited to your account from an overseas sender.
The funds arrive in the sender's own currency, and Convera converts them into Australian dollars before forwarding to us for crediting to your account.
To receive a payment from overseas simply complete the Convera form - Receive money from overseas.
Once you've completed the form, you'll be presented with the deposit instructions. Save this as a reference and send it to your payee so they can follow the payment instructions.
Then, all you need to do is ask the sender to:
- Present the PDF deposit instructions to the bank sending the payment to you.
- Deposit the amount into the dedicated account as stated in the instructions in nearest currency, not in Australian Dollars (AUD).
When you or someone else sends money from overseas to your BCU Bank account you should usually receive the funds within three business days, however this depends on the country the payment is coming from.
You can receive money from overseas directly to your BCU Bank account using our International Payments Service, powered by Convera. This is called an inward transfer - an electronic transfer of funds directly credited to your account from an overseas sender. The funds arrive in the sender's own currency, and Convera converts them into Australian dollars before forwarding to us for crediting to your account.
There is no charge to you the recipient for an inward transfer.
There is a charge to cover the cost of processing SWIFT payments from overseas, and same day local payments through RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement) systems.
Please see our fees and charges for details.
General enquiry
With a MasterCard Multi-Currency Cash Passport card you can get easy and secure access to any local currency you need to when you're travelling.
Simply visit any branch to get a MasterCard Multi-Currency Cash Passport.
You can manage your money wherever you are with 'My Account’. You can reload your card and transfer between currencies.
Alternatively you can transfer funds onto your Mastercard Multi-Currency Cash Passport card with a BPAY payment.
Read more information about the MasterCard Multi-Currency Cash Passport.
All purchases made on your card in foreign currency whether online or in person will be converted into Australian currency. We will use an exchange rate selected by Visa from the range of rates available in wholesale currency markets on the processing date, or the government mandated rate that is in effect at that time.
For more information please refer to the Credit Card Conditions of Use.
A SWIFT code or BIC (Bank Identifier Code) is the unique identification code used to identify a specific bank or financial institution for international transfers. It is a standard format code which is made up of eight or 11 letters and/or numbers.
We don't have our own SWIFT or BIC code for inwards payments, as we partner with Convera.
We offer a range of insurance covers, including Travel Insurance, for added peace of mind when travelling within Australia or overseas.
You can get a quote online at any time.
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