Depends on where you are. Most shops will not do cash outs, and many will place limits anywhere from $50 -$200. I can't say for Coles, but Woolworths QLD has a policy of maximum $500; anything more needs to be cleared by the supervisor (I never had such a amount requested through).

What member hihihehe was talking about was partial payment with 2 sources. You can pay with cash and the balance with EFTPOS, or (less commonly) pay a certain anmount with EFTPOS in addition to the cost. For example, if your purchase came to $12.30, and you decided to pay $15 with EFTPOS, $2.70 will be cashed out to you.

I personally think, while Australia's EFTPOS network infrastructure is not as good as New Zealands, it is the best thing since cash.

This post has been edited by haya: Feb 7 2010, 11:09 AM

I think EFTPOS is awesome =P *not sure how NZ system works though*. Well, some cashiers will ask you whether you want to cash out or not. And yeah, you don't need to bring that much cash on you, just bring your atm card =P

n with the atm card in aussie,it is very convenient..many shops accept card..

yeah it's the cheapest wed nights. currently around sydney the prices are around low 1.2x round weds and around 1.3x on thurs

I've been closely following all the discussions on this forum.

and I have something I'd like to clear by all the members here.

What exactly is EFTPOST? I'm not very sure if I heard my friends say it correctly. Sounded to me like "FPost" or something and I assume this the one she is talking about. Is it that the ATM card can actually work like a debit card as well? Because I also heard from her that some banks charge an annual fee if I want a debit card.

I was thinking of getting a debit card when I'm there btw, so I won't have to carry around so much cash..

OH! and I would like to hear some opinions about the telcos in melbourne.

If i'm not mistaken, optus is the best? but 3 is the cheapest? I don't intend to take up a cap plan but instead a prepaid phone line instead since I have already gotten myself a spanking new BB here Would there be a difference between the above mentioned telco companies if I use their prepaid. Or since I'm going for the prepaid, should I as well as go for the best instead ie. optus.

This post has been edited by ostangel: Feb 6 2010, 07:42 PM

Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_funds_transfer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EFTPOS

For EFTPOS, I believe s373n has pointed you to the right direction for detailed explanation.

I have never personally gotten a debit card myself, but I do have a local CBA credit card. Assuming that the rules and whatnot remain the same, there are actually cards you can apply as a student and have your annual fee waived. Mine is an Awards card, but with annual fees waived when I show them my renewed student card at any local branch every year.

Generally 3 and Optus are the two most popular telcos used among my friends, with 3 being the majority of them. Personally I think 3's plans are pretty good though I have not looked at other telco's plans for ages, so I can't really comment on that. I reckon they are more or less similar, so the more friends you have that are using the same telco with you, the better it is. Just wondering, do you plan to subscribe to the BB service when you are there? As far as I remember BB services are only available through postpaid, but I stand corrected.

This post has been edited by jae: Feb 6 2010, 09:01 PM

just an honest opinion; i dont think optus is the best. Look mate; you got to see type of network of friends you have too ya.
say 6 out of 10 of your mates are on three network, you will be charge for usage more if you are on optus calling to three network. Long run a year process, you will be paying more.

check out J2K.

http://www.j2k.com.au/, which I assume you going to get your network on from Clayton eh

Why not go plan? you got the same stuff, leave yr BB at home & why not get a cap plan with a phone? double win too

s373n, jae & KVReninem Ah! Thanks for all the information.

Well, the main reason I don't intend to get the cap plan is because I'm bound to a 2 year (?) contract and I have to pay an amount while I'm not there / gone back home for holidays. heheh

and to answer jae's question - actually no..I don't intend to use the BB services because even here I bought it without the plan.

KVReninem - weeeelll, I just bought my BB this week because my old phone has become crap. Don't think my parents will be too pleased if I get another phone there and thanks for the heads up on the networks! i had completely forgotten about it.

ah mate, BB mate..here they in lurve with Ipad opss not. Iphone! Lol; seriously..all luv to hav a night with Iphone

iPad iPhone iDump WTF

BB FTW!!!

LOL IPAD! *that reminded me of a video about Ipad i saw in youtube =P super funny.* aaaanyways, yes, peps there are going gaga over iphone. =.= I have no idea why. I tried it, but don't like it =P Personally I don't really fancy touch screen phones.

Well, if you're calling back more often (using your handphone), get optus prepaid, international rates are cheaper. 3 is more of for local usage where you have heaps of friends using 3, and you can call them for free. =P So I'm sticking to optus prepaid ftm, cos i'm calling international more frequent. =) But plans are good. You get a free phone. =D *sadly they don't offer the phone I want =(*

blah, i'm heading over in less than a weeks time, no cny for me =( boohoo.

ah mate calling using iPhune is kewl eh

Oh, LDR from Miri jk no offense.. jst Ipaddling around!

---

Added on February 6, 2010, 10:19 pmnot bluebelly eh

This post has been edited by KVReninem: Feb 6 2010, 10:19 PM

btw,3 got free $100 international call included inside cap...
but i will reckon telstra if u wan best coverage n dun mind fork out little bit money...
3 for me is a student pack with low coverage with extra value...

u can choose to be bound for less than 2 years if u take up somebody's mobile plan

that being said

anyone wana take up my plan? im planning on going back soon n i have around 1 year left on my 3 mobile $29cap. i'll give u the E63 as well as maybe some cash too

Three offers prepaid, the unused free three to three minutes can be carried to next month. And it offers great plans if not better compared to postpaid.

If you decide to BYO (thats Bring Your Own) your phone to an Optus postpaid plan, you don't actually have a contract term. You can terminate with 1 months notice anytime. Ask around, maybe the other telco's have similar terms.

That said I'm not sure how good their Blackberry network is, so I can't say. As for coverage in Brisbane through, personally they are no2, with Telstra being the best generally (except for a blind spot in my university's library) and Vodafone and Three no3 and 4 respectively. (Not sure if Three has access to Vodafone's network after the merger)

How long does the credit expires? say for the $29 cap?

I had been stuck with Optus` Every Now & Then prepaid plan ($30 for 186 days, 100 MyTime minutes to 5 nominated Optus number)

=P well, the design is nice i have to admit xD

should be 30 days. =) I'm on powerpack, but not sure if i wanna change to international call. (1c per min to msia O.o super stuff). But powerpack is good enough =) at least i can stream youtube for free when i'm bored. xD

Anyone here has renewed their passport during their studying period? Was wondering what should I do before entering the country as my visa is bounded with my old document.