How to open a joint account Australia: a complete guide

Managing shared finances can sometimes feel like a full-time job. Between chasing housemates for utility payments to figuring out who paid for the last takeaway, the admin quickly piles up. If you're looking for a way to simplify your collective money management, learning how to open a joint account in Australia is a practical first step.

A joint account is one that's held by 2 or more people. In Australia, these are common for couples, family members, or housemates who want a central space to manage communal costs. However, opening one involves more than just a shared login. There are legal responsibilities and specific requirements to understand before you commit. Read on to learn more and, when you're done, explore our joint accounts.

The information provided is accurate as of 25 March 2026.

The content of this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. If you have any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. Revolut is not a financial adviser.

Joint Account Terms apply.

What is a joint account and how does it work in Australia?

A joint bank account in Australia works similarly to a personal account, but with multiple owners. Every person named on the account has equal rights to the money. This means any co-owner can deposit money, make withdrawals, or pay bills without needing to ask the other person for permission.

In the Australian banking system, a joint account helps to centralise financial responsibilities. Instead of transferring money back and forth between personal accounts, you can both contribute to and spend from one place. This creates a clear trail of shared expenses, making it easier to stick to a household budget.

The benefits of a shared bank account in Australia

Using a shared bank account in Australia has several advantages for those who live or spend a lot of time together:

• Visibility: everyone can see exactly where the money is going in real-time
• Efficiency: utilities, rent, or mortgage payments can be automated to come out of the account
• Saving together: it's easier to reach shared goals, like a holiday or a house deposit, when you can see your progress in a single balance
• Simplified splitting: you don't need to do the maths to split every shared expense

Joint account requirements in Australia

Before you apply, you need to check that you meet the standard joint account requirements of Australia. While each provider has slightly different policies, the basic legal requirements remain consistent across the country.

Eligibility criteria for applicants

To open a joint account in Australia, you'll usually both need to:

• be at least 18 years old
• be an Australian resident with a valid residential address (though some providers offer options for temporary residents)
• provide tax residency information

For digital-first options like us, both customers often need to have their own personal accounts verified before they can link them to a joint one. This ensures that identity checks are already completed, keeping the setup process smooth.

Necessary documentation and identification

Under Australian Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws, banks must verify the identity of each person on an account. This is often referred to as a '100-point ID check'. You'll usually need a combination of:

• Primary documents: a valid Australian passport or an Australian driver’s licence
• Secondary documents: a birth certificate, citizenship certificate, or a utility bill/council rate notice from the last 3–6 months

If you choose to open a joint account online in Australia, many providers (including us) now use electronic verification, meaning you can simply upload photos of your documents through a secure app rather than visiting a branch.

How to open a joint account in Australia

The process of opening an account has changed significantly over the last decade. While you can still visit a local branch, most Australians now prefer the convenience of a digital option.

Traditional banking vs digital apps

Traditional Australian banks often require both people to be present if you're opening an account in a branch. If you're already a customer of that bank, the process is simpler, but new customers may face more paperwork.

Modern fintech apps like ours have streamlined this process. We let you send an invite to your partner or housemate to create a joint account directly from your phone. There are no forms to print and no queues to join. This modern approach is particularly popular for busy couples or housemates on different schedules who struggle to find time for a bank visit.

Step-by-step: opening an account online

If you're looking to open joint account online in Australia, you'll normally have to follow these steps:

1. Choose your provider: compare fees, features, and app functionality
2. Apply individually: most digital providers require both people to have an active personal account first
3. Send an invite: one person initiates the joint account request and invites the other via their phone contacts
4. Verification: the second person accepts the invite and confirms their details
5. Receive your cards: once approved, you can both order your own physical cards or start using virtual cards right away

Important considerations for a couple's bank account in Australia

While a couple's account in Australia offers convenience, it is a significant financial commitment. In Australia, opening a joint account creates a legal and financial link between the account holders.

Understanding joint and several liability

This is probably the most important legal concept to understand when you open a joint account in Australia. Joint and several liability means that both account holders are 100% responsible for any debt on the account, regardless of who spent the money.

For example, if the account has an overdraft feature and one person spends it all then ghosts the other, the bank can legally pursue the remaining person for the full amount. According to the Australian Banking Association, it's vital to only open a joint account with someone you trust implicitly.

Our Joint accounts don't currently offer overdrafts, which means you can avoid the risk of shared debt liability.

Managing financial links and credit scores

In Australia, opening a joint account with a traditional bank can create a 'financial association' on your credit report. This means that if your partner has a poor credit history, it could impact your ability to get a loan or mortgage in the future, as lenders may look at the credit files of people you associate with.

However, we handle things differently. A Revolut Joint account is designed for spending and budgeting together. It doesn't create a formal financial link that impacts your credit file. This makes it a safer option for housemates or new couples who want to manage money together without interlinking their long-term credit.

Managing shared money with Revolut Joint accounts

We've designed our Joint account to fit the lifestyles of modern duos. Whether you're splitting the rent with a flatmate or managing a household with your spouse, our tools are built for clarity.

2 cards, 1 balance

One of the most common frustrations with traditional joint accounts is the delay in seeing your transaction history. With us, both account holders get their own physical and virtual Revolut cards. When either of you spends, you both get a notification right away. There's one central balance, so you always know exactly how much you've got left at any given time.

Learn more about our cards.

Smart budgeting tools for duos

Managing a joint account isn't just about spending. It's about planning. Our app features a budgeting tool that works across your joint and personal accounts. You can:

• set monthly spending limits for categories like groceries or entertainment
• track your shared spending trends over time
• create Pockets for bills, to make sure your rent money is never accidentally spent on a night out

How to close a joint account in Australia

Relationships and living arrangements change, and knowing how to close an account is just as important as knowing how to open one. With traditional banks, closing a joint account can be a hassle. It often requires both parties to sign physical documents or go to a branch together.

If the relationship has ended on bad terms, some banks allow one person to freeze the account to prevent the other from withdrawing all the money, but closing it usually requires mutual consent.

With us, the process is handled entirely in-app. Once you've emptied the account and brought the balance down to zero, either person can close it. The process is fast, intuitive, and involves no paperwork.

How to get started with a Revolut Joint account

If you're ready to simplify your shared finances and set up a Joint account with us, here's how it works:

1. Download the app: if you don't have a Personal account yet, sign up for Revolut and complete the identity verification.
2. Create your Joint account: go to the home screen, tap More below your balance, then Add products & accounts, then Joint account.
3. Invite the other person: choose who you want to join forces with from your contacts. They must also already be a Revolut customer in Australia.
4. Confirm and start spending: once they accept and we verify the details, your Joint account will be ready. You can order your physical cards and start using virtual cards in your digital wallet right away.