How to check if bank account is active online

We can only pay refunds into an Australian bank account. The quickest way to update your financial institution details is online. To do this, you need a myGov account linked to the ATO.

The account must be held by:

you under your legal or trading name, either solely or jointly
your registered tax or BAS agent
a legal practitioner acting as your trustee or executor.

When providing your account details, we require the:

bank state branch (BSB) number – this number has 6 digits
account number – this number has no more than 9 digits
account name.

Update your financial institution details online

To update your financial institution online, you need a myGov account linked to the ATO.

When updating your financial institution details online, don't include spaces or hyphens in the BSB or account number.

When entering the account name, include spaces between each word and initials where required – for example, JQ Citizen. If there are more than 32 characters in the account name, only enter the first 32. Don't include the account type, such as cheque, savings, or mortgage offset.

Follow the steps below to find out:

how to update your financial institution details using ATO online services
how to update your financial institution details using the ATO app

How to update your financial institution details using ATO online services

To update your financial institution details using ATO online services:

sign in to your myGov accountExternal Link
under Linked services select Australian Taxation Office
select My profile, then Financial institution details
select Update, Add or Delete to the right of your account details
enter the account name, BSB and account number
tick the box to agree to sign the declaration
select Save.

How to update your financial institution details using the ATO app

To update your financial institution details using the ATO app:

log in to the ATO app
select More, then select My details
under Financial institution details select Update, which will open ATO online services
follow the steps for how to update your financial institution details using ATO online services.

Update your financial institution details by phone

You or a nominated representative can update your financial institution details over the phone, contact us to speak to a customer services representative.

Have your personal tax file number (TFN) or Australian business number (ABN) ready when you contact us. We will then confirm your identity by asking a series of questions based on information from your tax records.

It’s critical to know how much money you have in your bank account and how much of your total balance is available for spending. Checking your account frequently helps you see where you stand as well as spot problems (like fraud or errors) before they get out of hand.

Once you view your balance, be sure you understand the difference between the account balance and your available balance.

6 Easy Steps to Check Your Bank Balance

1. Log In Online

You can check your account balance online anytime—and much more. To get started, navigate to your bank’s website and access your account information. You can also use a mobile app, as described below. In most cases, you’ll look for an option like “Login” or “Account Access.” If it’s your first visit, select options like “Register” or “First-time User.”

Note

If the idea of online banking is new to you, give it a try. In addition to checking balances online, you can often transfer money to other banks, pay bills without writing a check, and more.

2. Mobile Apps and Text Messages

Mobile phones, tablets, and other devices make it easy to check on accounts from just about anywhere. Most banks provide apps (or at least websites designed for mobile devices) that allow you to see your account balance online and on-the-go. Apps typically enable you to do even more than you can do from a desktop computer.

For example, banks increasingly allow you to deposit checks with your mobile device, so you can quit wasting time on trips to a branch and start getting your funds more quickly.

The fastest way to use your cell phone is to set up text messaging with your bank. You don’t even need to log in—you can request a quick balance update if your bank offers that option.

3. Use an ATM

ATMs can provide updated account balances. Just insert your ATM card or debit card and follow the on-screen instructions. It’s best to use your own bank’s ATM (or an ATM network that your bank uses). Other ATMs will most likely charge fees—even if you don’t withdraw cash. Your bank may also charge an additional fee for using a “foreign” ATM, so those balance inquiries can cost you.

4. Call the Bank

If you prefer a more traditional approach, call your bank to find out your balance. You might need to call during certain hours to speak with a person, but most banks have automated systems that provide 24/7 account information. Getting set up to use those systems might take some effort (you may need to first establish a PIN, among other things). But once you’re up and running, it’ll become routine.

5. Set Up Alerts

Instead of checking your bank account balances manually, you can have your bank push information out to you when something happens. This adds an automatic safeguard for your account.

Just want a heads up when your account balance gets low or whenever there’s a significant withdrawal? If so, set up alerts so that your bank sends you an email or text message. You can typically customize the types of messages you get and what dollar amounts are relevant to you. With alerts in place, you can assume all is well until and unless you hear from your bank.

Note

Even with alerts, it’s wise to log in and review your account periodically. If there are any errors or fraudulent transactions, you need to report them promptly to get full protection under federal law.

6. Talk to a Teller

If all else fails, speak with somebody in person—assuming you use a brick-and-mortar bank with local branches. Unfortunately, it’s getting harder to access tellers, and some banks even charge additional fees for personal service. However, if you use a credit union that’s part of a shared branching network, there may be thousands of locations nationwide available to you.

While a face-to-face talk can be helpful, it’s best to get comfortable with some of the self-service methods above. You’ll appreciate being able to get things done on your own time and from almost any location.

Your Available Balance

As you check your bank balance, pay attention to the type of balance that you see. When you go online or use the bank’s app, most banks show an available balance (which tells you how much you can afford to spend or withdraw today) as well as a total account balance.

The available balance is usually less than you think you have (what you think of as your "account balance") because of pending transactions: debit card authorizations, upcoming bill payments and deposits that have not yet cleared. Those funds may become available in a few days, but until then, the funds are frozen.

You Know More Than Your Bank

If you balance your account regularly, you rarely need to check your balance (although it’s a good idea to do so, just to identify problems before they get worse).

In fact, you’ll probably know where your balance is headed before your bank does. If you write a check or spend before the transaction hits your account, your own records will be more accurate than those of the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can you keep track of your checking account balance?

You can monitor your account in multiple ways. Take advantage of mobile apps that keep information at your fingertips, and employ alerts to notify you of potential problems. As you track things, you’ll know when deposits clear (and when you can use the money), and you’ll have a better understanding of your finances.

Which bank Is best for a zero-balance account?

The best bank will depend on your preferences, such as whether you prefer online or in-person banking. However, if you plan on having low balances, you'll want to ensure that you choose a bank account without account minimums or monthly fees that could accidentally trigger an overdraft fee.

What happens when you close a bank account with a negative balance?

If you overdraft your bank account and end up with a negative balance, you will be expected to settle that debt. Even if you request to close your account, a bank probably won't allow you to close the account until you have brought the balance back to at least zero.

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Sources

The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

How do I know if my bank account is deactivated?

If you have a current or a savings bank account and have not done any transactions through it for more than 12 months, then it will be classified as an inactive account. And if you don't do any transactions from a bank account for 24 months, then it will be classified as dormant.

How do you know if an account is inactive?

When you make no transaction in your bank account for 12 months, the account gets classified as inactive. When you make no transaction in your bank account for 24 months, the account gets classified as inoperative or dormant by the bank.