Joint bank accounts | Everyday and savings accounts - NAB

What is a joint account?

Joint accounts are designed for people who want to manage shared everyday expenses or savings together. By applying online, both applicants receive Full accessFull access is when either account holder can independently deposit, withdraw, and access funds via NAB Internet Banking, the app, Visa Debit (in-store or online), digital cards, or branch services. Some savings accounts are online-only and cannot be accessed in branch or with a debit card.   and agree that either person can operate the account on their own, including making deposits and withdrawals.

Features of a joint bank account

Individual cards and passwords

Each account owner can have their own debit card linked to a joint transaction account. Each person will also have their own NAB ID to set up NAB Internet Banking to manage all their accounts easily online and in the NAB app.

Manage shared expenses

You can manage shared bills and expenses and have better visibility over joint spending and saving.

Organise your spending

Categorise your spending and create budgets to help reach your goals faster.

Make it work for you

Before you apply, it’s worth having a conversation to make sure a joint account is right for both of you and to agree on the setup that works best.

It’s good to talk through things like:

  • Should the joint account have full access or restricted access.
  • How much you’ll each add, and how often.
  • Type of account(s) for everyday bills, shared expenses, or saving for a goal.
  • Whether you’ll keep separate accounts for personal spending.

  • If you’re feeling unsure, it’s ok to pause. Feeling pressured to combine money can be a sign of financial abuse. Confidential support is available through our Extra Care Support services. You can also read more about what to consider before you apply.

Choose a joint bank account

NAB Classic Banking account

Easy access to your money everyday.

Monthly account fee$0
Overdrawn fee
Debit interest may apply to overdrawn amounts		$0

Other fees and charges may apply.

Features

Apply now

NAB iSaver

Easily access your money with an online savings account linked to your NAB transaction account.

Introductory rate5.25% p.a.

For the first 4 months earn an introductory rate of 3.60% p.a. then a standard variable rate of 1.65% p.a. will apply.

Fixed bonus margin is only available to customers who have not held a NAB iSaver in the last 12 months (on balances up to $20 million).

Features

  • Flexibility to withdraw more regularly

  • No deposit minimum or penalty if you withdraw

Apply now

NAB Reward Saver

Grow your savings faster with bonus interest for regular deposits and no withdrawals.

Earn up to5.00% p.a.

0.01% p.a. variable base rate + 4.99% p.a. variable bonus rate

Features

  • You'll earn the bonus interest rate if you make at least one deposit on or before the second last banking day of the month and no withdrawals during the month (by either account holder)

  • You can open a NAB Classic Banking account at the same time
Apply now

Add on products

You must both meet the eligibility requirements for any add-on products and agree on the products before continuing. If this is your first NAB Classic Banking account, you’ll need to add a NAB Visa Debit card as part of your online application.

How to apply online

Eligibility

You can apply online if:

  • you’re both 18 years or over

  • you’re both Australian residents for tax purposes

We can help you in a NAB branch if you want to:

  • Open a joint account and are under 18
  • Set up your joint account with Restricted accessRestricted access is when you want both account holders to approve every transaction, this is known as restricted access. Restricted access can’t be set up online. To open a joint account this way, please visit a branch.
  • Apply with a government concession card

  • If you need to add more than two account holders, please call us on 13 22 65.

New to NAB?

If either person is new to NAB:

  1. Complete the application together
    New customers need one form of ID:

    • Passport (Australian or foreign)
    • Australian drivers licence 
    • Medicare card (with another ID if 18+)

  2. Both complete and get set up
    Once you’ve both finished, the account will be opened. Download the NAB app to access your joint account.

  • If you’ve added a Visa Debit card, you can start using your digital cards straight away, even before your physical cards arrive.

Already bank with us?

If you both bank with NAB:

  1. One person starts the application
    Start your application and when prompted, log in with your NAB ID. Choose the product(s) you've agreed on and complete your part.

  2. Invite the second person
    Provide us with the name, email address and Australian mobile number of your joint applicant and we'll send them an invitation to complete their part. If you share a mobile number, you'll need to contact us so we can help you apply.

  3. Both complete and get set up

    Once their invitation has been received, they’ll be able to review and accept the chosen product(s) and complete their part. As soon as you’ve both finished, your account will open.

  • Helpful tip: Allow time to finish the application in one go, it cannot be saved.

Frequently asked questions

  • Joint accounts are typically used by couples to manage shared expenses and savings. However, you can open a joint account with someone other than your partner:

    • A parent could open a joint account with their teenager, to help them manage their spending.
    • Housemates could use a joint account to pay for household expenses like groceries and bills.
    • Siblings could use a joint account to manage the costs associated with caring for an elderly parent.

    Remember that when you open a joint account, all account holders have access to the money. Make sure you communicate about what the money in the account should be used for, and when it’s acceptable for an account holder to access the funds.

    A joint account may not be right for you if:

    • You prefer to manage your finances independently
    • You’re not comfortable with sharing access to the money
    • You’re unsure about sharing responsibility for the account
    • You don’t fully trust the other person to manage money in the account
    • You’re feeling pressured to open a joint account

    Are you being pressured by a partner, family member or friend to combine funds in a joint account?

    This could be financial abuse. We can help with confidential support. Learn more about Extra care support services.

  • Full access

    Either person can operate the account on their own, including making deposits and withdrawals. This may include access through NAB Internet Banking, the NAB app, Visa Debit cards (in store or online), digital cards, and branch or assisted services. Please note, some savings accounts are online only and can’t be accessed in branch or with a debit card.

    Restricted access

    If you want both account holders to approve every transaction, this is known as restricted access. Restricted access can’t be set up online. To open a joint account this way, please visit a branch. 

    You can change how your joint account is operated at any time after opening by contacting us.

  • When you apply online for a joint NAB iSaver, you’ll also need to open a joint NAB Classic Banking account. This account is used to access and move money to and from your iSaver.

    Because it’s a joint transaction account, either account holder can access the money, including using their own NAB Visa Debit card (if cards are added).

    Joint NAB Classic Banking accounts can have a NAB Visa Debit card for each account holder. If this is your first NAB transaction account, we’ll require you to open a NAB Visa Debit card as part of your online application.

    If either applicant already has an eligible NAB transaction account and doesn’t want to open another one, please contact us. A NAB banker can help complete and open the joint NAB iSaver without creating an additional transaction account.

    Both applicants must individually meet NAB iSaver eligibility requirements at the time the account is opened. If either applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria, the fixed bonus margin will not be applied.

  • The way you close a joint account will depend on how it was initially set up.

    If the account was set up to require more than one signature to close, you’ll need to call us.

    If the account only requires one signature, then you may be able to close the account by chatting to our bankers via the chat function online or by calling us on 13 22 65.

  • If both applicants already bank with NAB and either person has a government concession card, the online application won’t let you stop the account from overdrawing.

    To stop overdrawing:

    • apply online for an individual transaction account in your own name, or
    • contact us to discuss your options. 

    If either applicant is new to NAB, the online joint account form can apply overdrawing settings. Just let us know in the form if one of the account holders has a concession card.

  • If you’re under 18, you’ll need to visit a NAB branch with the other applicant to apply.
If you’re under 14, you must visit a NAB branch with a parent or legal guardian to apply. 

    Please bring at least 2 of the following ID documents with you:

    • Passport
    • Australian driver licence (if you have one)
    • Medicare card
    • Birth certificate

Other joint accounts to consider

If you want to open a NAB Term Deposit or NAB Retirement Account as a joint applicant, contact us.

NAB Term Deposit

With a competitive interest rate for a term that suits you, our term deposits can help you reach your savings goals.

NAB Retirement Account

An everyday account for retirees. Earn interest and access your money with no monthly account fee.

Keep track of your expenses and work towards saving more

  • Budgets helps you track those areas you sometimes overspend in, so you can easily adjust your spending habits. 

Get in touch

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Visit us in person at your nearest NAB branch or business banking centre.

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Important Information

Closing your account

The quickest and easiest way to close your account is through NAB Messaging in Internet Banking or the NAB app.

If you need further support, please find your closest branch or give us a call on 13 22 65 or +61 3 8641 9083 if you’re overseas.

Any advice has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any advice, you should consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and view the Personal Transaction and Savings Accounts Terms and Conditions. Target Market Determinations for NAB products are available at nab.com.au/TMD. NAB products issued by NAB.

See our personal banking fees and charges and indicator rates for deposit products.