Minimise fees

Keep extra charges to a minimum by banking smarter. Follow these tips to reduce or avoid bank fees and charges.

• Ways to avoid a payment honour fee
• Ways to avoid an account dishonour fee
• Use St.George, Westpac, Bank of Melbourne or BankSA ATMs in Australia
• Use Internet, Mobile and Phone Banking
• Check you have an appropriate bank account for your needs
• Check if you are eligible for a Complete Freedom for students and U21s or Retirement Access Plus account
• Combine multiple accounts into one St.George account
• Monitor your accounts with real time SMS and Email Alerts²
• Limit your number of withdrawals
• Schedule your payments in advance
• Minimise statement frequency
• Get a visa debit card instead of a passbook

Ways to avoid a payment honour fee

A payment honour fee may be charged on an account when the account is overdrawn by a payment we have honoured.

• Stay on top of your account balance by using quick balance. Visit our website to learn about our banking features. 
  
• Ensure that you regularly check your transaction history or statements and ensure that you are aware of all payments that are coming through to your account. If you find a payment that is regularly coming through, you can contact the merchant directly or advise us and we can assist with cancelling the payment.
• Enrol in our SMS and email alerts, which will notify you of withdrawals and balance alerts and many more. 
  
• Review our account types and make sure you are on the right account for you. 
  
• Your account may be eligible for the Overdraw Preference feature. Please call us or visit your nearest branch. Refer to your account terms and conditions for further information.  

If we permit you to make a withdrawal transaction which overdraws the available balance of your account, then you will, at the time the negative balance arises, owe us a debt of the amount by which your account is overdrawn or by the amount exceeding your agreed overdraft limit (as applicable). If we do honour a payment, you may be charged a Payment Honour Fee and debit interest on the overdrawn balance.

Ways to avoid an account dishonour fee

A payment dishonour fee may be charged on an account when we dishonour a transaction that will overdraw your account. 

• Stay on top of your account balance by using quick balance. Visit our website to learn about our banking features.
• Ensure that you regularly check your transaction history or statements and ensure that you are aware of all payments that are coming through to your account. If you find a payment that is regularly coming through, you can contact the merchant directly or advise us and we can assist with cancelling the payment.
• Enrol in our SMS and email alerts, which will notify you of withdrawals and balance alerts and many more.
• Review our account types and make sure you are on the right account for you.

Use St.George, Westpac, Bank of Melbourne or BankSA ATMs in Australia

Sometimes simply crossing the street can save you some money. Be sure to use a St.George, Westpac, Bank of Melbourne or BankSA ATM to avoid charges imposed by the ATM operator.

• Find your nearest St.George, Westpac, Bank of Melbourne or BankSA ATM

Use our SMS ATM Locator. Simply SMS your suburb and state to 199 44 ATM (199 44 286) and we'll reply with the addresses of local ATMs. A $0.40 SMS fee applies and is billed by your carrier to your mobile phone account. SMS Helpline 1800 195 773

Use Internet, Mobile and Phone Banking

Get the convenience of banking 24/7¹ without leaving your home or office.

• Internet, Mobile and Phone Banking let you easily monitor and manage your accounts and perform transactions that might cost you more inside a branch.
• Pay a bill via BPAY®, transfer to an account in Australia or overseas, schedule payments in advance and much more.

Check you have an appropriate bank account for your needs

We have a range of bank accounts to suit different customer needs and transaction requirements. Use our handy selectors to find the right account.

• Choose the best transaction account for me
• Choose the best savings account for me

Check if you are eligible for aComplete Freedom for students and U21s or Retirement Access Plus Account

We have accounts designed especially for students and retirees and pensioners. You could save on account service fees and transaction fees.

• Students should consider our Complete Freedom for students and U21s
• Retirees and pensioners should consider our Retirement Access Plus Account.

Combine multiple accounts into one St.George account

Spreading your money over a number of accounts exposes your money to potentially more charges. Consider consolidating your accounts and transfer funds to your preferred St.George account.

Monitor your accounts with real-time SMS and email alerts²

SMS and email alerts² are an efficient way for you to receive updates on your accounts, providing more control over your finances and a greater sense of security:

• Register for SMS and Email Alerts via Internet Banking or over the phone.
• SMS Alerts are free for the Complete Freedom, Concession and Retirement Access Plus. Email alerts are free.

Limit your number of withdrawals

Try limiting the number of withdrawals you make from your account. If you currently withdraw small amounts nearly every day, try withdrawing slightly larger amounts once or twice a week.

Consider requesting cash when purchasing goods using EFTPOS. You're making two transactions, however they only count as one.

Schedule your payments in advance

Keep on top of your bills and make payments on time by utilising the Scheduled Payments function for BPAY® and payee transfers:

• Scheduled Payments are quick and easy to set up - just log on to Internet Banking and follow the prompts, or call the Internet Banking Help Desk on 1300 555 203.
• You can even set up an Email Alert to let you know when your transaction has been successfully processed.

Minimise statement frequency

If you have your printed statement issued more than once a month, think about changing the frequency by requesting monthly, quarterly or six monthly statements.

Your most recent transaction information can be accessed using Internet, Mobile or Phone Banking 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.¹

Get a Visa Debit Card instead of a passbook

You incur additional fees when using the branch every time you need to make a withdrawal. By getting an account with a Visa Debit Card instead of a passbook you can access your money at any ATM or EFTPOS terminal.³ Electronic transactions incur lower fees than over the counter fees. To find out how you can get an account with a Visa Debit Card, visit any St.George branch or call 13 33 30.