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Best Joint Bank Accounts

Name: Best Joint Bank Accounts
Creator: Savvy
Published: 2022-04-06T10:16:34+09:30

What features to look for and how to compare bank accounts to find the one that’s just right for you and your partner, right here with Savvy.

Written by , updated on September 11th, 2023

Compare joint bank accounts

Finding the best bank account can save you hundreds on fees and connect you with the very latest in smart banking technology. Compare bank accounts from a wide variety of providers with Savvy to find the very best offers available on the market right now.

Up Everyday Account

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	$0	PayId, Osko, Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Google Wallet,	Mastercard	$0	0%	Go to site
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ING Orange Everyday

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	$0	PayId, Apple Pay, Google Wallet,	Visa	$0	0%	Read review
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Rebates on ATM fees anywhere in Oz. No ING international transaction fees. Zero monthly fees.

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NAB Classic Banking Account

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	$0	PayId, Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Google Wallet,	Visa	$0	0.01%	Read review
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No monthly account fees ever, with no conditions. Free use at over 7,000 ATMs around Australia. No overdrawn fees if you happen to go over your account balance. Open an account in less than 7 minutes.

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St.George Complete Freedom Account

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	$0	Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Google Wallet,	Visa	$0	0%	Read review
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Get $40 with a new Complete Freedom everyday bank account.

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Westpac Choice

	Monthly Account Fee	Features	Card Type	ATM Fee	Interest Rate
	$5	Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Google Wallet,	Mastercard	$0	$0	Read review
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Westpac Choice for easy day-to-day banking

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More about finding the best joint bank account

Taking that next step forward by deciding on a joint bank account can be an exciting time in the life of a developing relationship. Take a look here at the best joint bank accounts with Savvy to find out what features are available and how to compare them to ensure you get the one that’s right for you and your partner.

What different types of joint bank accounts are there?

A joint bank account is either a savings or transaction account which is in more than one name. They’re normally opened by couples, family members or businesses wanting a way to have all parties able to use the same bank account. All nominated account holders usually have equal access to the account and often have their own linked debit card to enable payWave and PayPass purchases and cash withdrawals to be made. The two different types of joint bank account in Australia are:

Either to sign

An ‘either to sign’ (also known as one to sign) joint account means both parties can equally open the account, close the account, withdraw funds and carry out transactions independently

Both to Sign (also known as two to sign)

A ‘both to sign’ joint account involves both parties giving their authorisation for a transaction in whichever way they choose to receive their notifications; this could be via SMS, smartphone notification requiring a PIN to be entered, email with an authorisation link, voice or face recognition or in person at a branch.

There are joint accounts for almost every banking need and combination of persons. As well as basic savings and transaction joint accounts, there are also numerous types of small business accounts, term deposits and offset accounts which can be opened in more than one name or the names of more than one entity.

Other types of joint accounts include:

Babies, kids, teens, and youth accounts which can be opened jointly with parents, guardians or godparents
Student accounts, which could be useful for two students who are living or travelling together
Business accounts, which can be set up to give banking authority to a company secretary, with approval required by the company director or chief financial officer before money leaves the account
Pensioner or concession accounts, which can be used by adult children wanting to help elderly parents with shopping or groceries
Trust accounts in various forms, where one person can access funds they hold in trust for another person or entity, such as a young child, a disabled person or a charity or not-for-profit
Term deposits, which are an agreement to park your cash with a bank for a particular length of time (from months to years) in return for a higher interest rate
Offset accounts, which are a form of savings account which reduce the interest you pay on your home loan. For every dollar you save in your offset account, you’ll pay interest on one less dollar you owe through your home loan. However, you won’t earn interest on the money in an offset account.

What features should we compare before deciding on a joint account?

The key to finding the best joint bank account for a couple lies in comparing similar accounts from multiple financial institutions until you find an account that best suits your particular needs. Savvy can help you with this task by presenting you with clear comparison information in an easy-to-understand format so you can contrast different offers with ease. Some of the areas to look out for include:

Fees – how much is charged in monthly account-keeping fees? Many financial institutions offer fee-free accounts these days, so beware of excessive account fees. Young people under 21, children, students, pensioners and concession card holders can all get fee-free accounts, so it’s important to not pay too much for your banking
Special offers – are there any special offers currently being advertised that could be worth taking advantage of? These can include offering cash bonuses, cashback offers, frequent flyer loyalty reward points, fee waivers, gym memberships or pay TV subscriptions as an incentive to attract new customers
Interest rates – for savings accounts and term deposits, the interest rate offered is the most important piece of information to compare, as it can make a big difference to how quickly your savings grow. Compare interest rates offered and see if bonus interest offers (where a bonus interest rate is paid if certain deposit or withdrawal conditions are met) are worthwhile pursuing
Accessibility – does the account offer a mobile platform which is compatible with your smartphone or watch? Could you link your existing credit or debit card to the new account? Will the account let you store any linked cards you have in your digital wallet? Make sure the new account you open will be compatible with your existing financial setup to make life easier for you, not more complex.

How do we decide if a joint account is right for us?

It’s vital to have a good relationship with the person you’re opening a joint account with. Research has shown that fights about money are a common major issue for most Australian couples, so it’s important to talk about your expectations of a joint account before you rush into opening one.

Some of the things to consider include:

How much is too much?

Decide how much money either partner can spend on new or unplanned purchases without consulting the other. Agree on a dollar limit and stick to it if you want to ensure your joint account journey runs smoothly. It’s important that neither party gets an unexpected unpleasant surprise when they check the account’s balance.

What shall we spend our money on?

Agree in advance on what the joint account funds will be used for. Is the account to be used for joint items only, such as paying the rent or mortgage or utility bills, or is it to be used for discretionary spending too, like meals out or trips to the movies?

Discuss your account boundaries

Most relationships have financial ‘trigger issues’ which can lead to disagreements. For example, this may be who pays expenses for step-children or in-laws, whilst for other couples, expensive personal hobbies which aren’t shared may cause friction. Before deciding to open a joint bank account, it’s a good idea to discuss these topics and decide what your joint account rules and boundaries are.

Types of bank account

Transaction accounts

Transaction accounts are crucial for managing your everyday expenses, from paying your bills and rent to doing your grocery shopping.

Online accounts

Your account doesn't have to be with a bricks-and-mortar bank, however, with a wide range of online-only banks and institutions on the market.

Kids' accounts

Giving your child a bank account with special restrictions attached can help teach them financial literacy and the importance of money.

Student accounts

Student transaction accounts often come without fees and are designed to help you manage your funds and encourage good habits.

Joint accounts

If it's come time in your relationship to start managing couples' expenses together, a joint account could help you do so more effectively.

Business accounts

Banks and other institutions offer special transaction accounts for businesses of all sizes to enable you to cover your ongoing expenses.

Travel accounts

These are designed to be used overseas and often come with benefits such as no overseas transaction or ATM fees and multi-currency storage.

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Top tips to make a joint bank account work for you

Agree on spend and save amounts

Reach an agreement about how much of your monthly household income you will allocate for saving and how much you’ve got left to spend. If you both know what your financial limitations are then you can work together to reach your savings goals

Plan joint savings goals

Part of the fun of being one half of a couple is planning for the future together. Many banks now allow account splitting or the creation of multiple sub-accounts. These sub-accounts can be named individually and used to save for specific goals, such as a new car or an overseas holiday. Having a joint savings account called ‘new car fund’ can increase savings motivation.

Agree what will happen if you hit a speed-bump

If you have a disagreement with your partner, agree in advance on how you will end your joint banking arrangement. Which one of you will close the account and how will you split any funds remaining in the account? You should also discuss what you’ll do if either of you becomes incapacitated so that all bases are covered before you open your account.

Make time to talk

With the busy lives which most couples live today, it’s important to make time regularly (at least once per month) to talk to each other about your household finances and jointly plan how you will manage your money into the future. Researching the best joint bank account for a couple together will start you off with a good communication habit.

Your most commonly asked questions about the best joint bank accounts

Do online banks offer the best interest rates for joint savings accounts?

Some of the highest interest rates are offered by online banks, building societies and credit unions. These financial institutions don’t have huge overheads from high street branches or have any shareholders, so they’re able to offer customers lower or no-fee accounts and higher interest rates on savings accounts. Compare your options with Savvy to find out which account may offer you the best deal for your joint savings.

Can either party close the account without the permission of the other?

With a ‘one to sign’ joint account, yes. If the account is a ‘both to sign’, though, it’ll take permission from both parties to close the account.

Who pays income tax on the interest from a joint saving account?

This will depend on the personal situation and the age of the joint parties. With children’s accounts held jointly with a parent, there is an exemption for children under 16 from paying income tax on interest earned. If both parties are adults, the interest is split 50/50 between each individual. If one or either party to a joint account is aged over 65 or is a pensioner or concession card holder, ATO deeming rules will apply to interest earned.

Who has the responsibility for any debt accrued on a joint account?

Both signatories to a joint account share responsibility for any debt accrued on that account, such as overdrawing, which is why it’s important to trust your partner before agreeing to a joint account together.

Is it cheaper to have a joint account than two separate accounts?

That will depend on account fees which your financial institution may charge on your joint account. Youths, students and pensioners can enjoy fee-free banking, but other accounts may have a monthly fee of $5 a month or more. In most cases, you’ll save money overall by sticking with one account compared to two.

What happens to a joint account if one holder passes away?

What happens to an Australian joint bank account when someone dies will depend on the rules of the specific financial institution you’re banking with. With ‘either to sign’ joint accounts, which are the most common type, the surviving partner will be able to operate the joint account as normal, including closing the account and transferring its balance to another. In a ‘both to sign account,’ the account will initially be frozen by the financial institution to protect the estate of the deceased person. You may need to complete a ‘notice of death of customer’ form and the bank will need to see a copy of the death certificate before taking further action.

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Disclaimer and important things you should know

For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.

Best Joint Bank Accounts

What features to look for and how to compare bank accounts to find the one that’s just right for you and your partner, right here with Savvy.

Compare joint bank accounts

Use invite code SAVVY10 for $10 upon successful sign-up. (Refer to offer T&Cs on Up website)

Rebates on ATM fees anywhere in Oz. No ING international transaction fees. Zero monthly fees.

No monthly account fees ever, with no conditions. Free use at over 7,000 ATMs around Australia. No overdrawn fees if you happen to go over your account balance. Open an account in less than 7 minutes.

Get $40 with a new Complete Freedom everyday bank account.

Westpac Choice for easy day-to-day banking

More about finding the best joint bank account

What different types of joint bank accounts are there?

What features should we compare before deciding on a joint account?

How do we decide if a joint account is right for us?

Types of bank account

Transaction accounts

Online accounts

Kids' accounts

Student accounts

Joint accounts

Business accounts

Travel accounts

Why compare bank accounts with Savvy?

100% free

Compare and choose online

Reputable providers

Top tips to make a joint bank account work for you

Agree on spend and save amounts

Plan joint savings goals

Agree what will happen if you hit a speed-bump

Make time to talk

Your most commonly asked questions about the best joint bank accounts

Helpful guides on bank accounts

1300 974 066

Sign up to our newsletter

1300 974 066

Sign up to our newsletter

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