Free money in Australia: the legit sign-up bonuses worth $880

Is there really free money in Australia?

Yes, within limits. Sign-up bonuses are public promotions run by the companies themselves. Banks and financial apps compete hard for new customers, and paying a $20 to $400 bonus is often cheaper for them than advertising. If you are a new customer and meet the conditions, they pay you.

It is not unlimited or passive. Each bonus can usually only be claimed once per person, every offer needs identity verification, and some need a deposit that you move back out afterwards. Treat it as a one-off way to earn a few hundred dollars over a few weeks, not an income.

Why do companies pay sign-up bonuses?

Every new customer costs a bank or exchange money to acquire. Instead of paying for ads, they pay the customer directly, on the bet that some people will keep using the account. You are free to keep the account or close it once the bonus is paid, as long as you follow the offer's terms.

The 7 offers, in the order we recommend

Start at the top. The first offers need only $1, and each bonus helps cover the deposit for the next one. Every offer links to a full step-by-step guide.

01Independent ReserveCryptocurrency exchange · $1 deposit$20bonus 02Bitcoin.com.auCryptocurrency exchange · $1 deposit$20bonus 03UBankBank account · $2.50 deposit$30bonus 04CoinByteCryptocurrency exchange · $110 deposit$60bonus 05Tiger TradeShare trading platform · $5 deposit$150bonus 06IG TradingShare trading platform · $100 deposit$200bonus 07INGBank account · $1,000 deposit$400bonus

Total: $880 in bonuses across 7 offers.

What's the catch?

• Identity checks. Every offer needs your driver's licence or passport. This is a legal requirement for Australian financial services, not a red flag.
• Deposits. Some offers need money in the account. ING asks for $1,000 a month for three months, though you can transfer most of it back the same day. IG needs $100, with at least $95 of shares held for 30 days.
• Market risk. Crypto and share prices move. If an offer requires you to buy and hold, the amount you hold can fall in value. Keep those amounts small.
• One per person. Bonuses are for new customers only. Most can't be repeated, and some can only be repeated after a waiting period.
• Time. Most offers take 5 to 25 minutes to sign up, and bonuses take anywhere from 24 hours to three months to arrive.
• Tax. Bonuses may count as income. This is general information only, so check with the ATO or a tax adviser for your situation.

How to start with $2

Begin with Independent Reserve and Bitcoin.com.au. Each needs a $1 deposit by PayID, takes around five minutes, and pays a $20 bonus within about a week. Both use the same ID, so most people complete them together. Once both are paid, you have turned $2 into $42, and you can withdraw it all to your bank.

Is it legal?

Yes. Taking up a promotion that a company offers publicly is legal, provided you meet its conditions honestly: use your own real details, open one account per person, and follow the terms. Never use someone else's identity or create duplicate accounts. Doing so breaks the terms and can be fraud.

Other ways people make money online in Australia

Surveys, cashback sites and reselling can all earn money, but most pay a few dollars at a time or need ongoing work. Sign-up bonuses are one of the few options where a beginner can earn a meaningful amount in a few weeks with no special skills. Once you have worked through them, cashback sites are the natural next step for everyday purchases.

Getting help

Referral Revenue runs a free Discord community where 2,000+ Australians work through these offers in order, ask questions and post their payouts. You can also track every bonus you earn in the free Profit Tracker.