The big one is that we have almost no regional banks: almost all our banks are national and four of them have more than 85% of the market. The others basically fight over the scraps. Some of the growth has happened by big banks buying small banks, but the regulators and central bank both have more teeth than their US counterparts. This does mean that most of the population has a good chance of finding an ATM of their bank wherever they go in Australia.

ATM fees to customers is actually fairly recent. The Reserve Bank changed the rules only two years ago so that ATM operators charge the customers directly (and must ask) instead of their bank. It has encouraged more ATMs, but the competition hasn't lowered the fee. Most of them charge $2, but a few charge a little more. The Reserve Bank is looking at ways of forcing ATM operators to lower it.

Doing a cash-out when an EFT purchase is made (i.e. via debit card) currently attracts no fees, but some merchants have floor limits. And it's what people recommend if you can't stomach an ATM fee and can't find the right one.

Some articles in the SMH about it: http://www.smh.com.a...+fees&ss=Business

Wade.