CSV if you can, PDF if you can't
Two formats matter. A CSV (sometimes called a spreadsheet or transaction export) is a data file — every transaction on its own row, ready to sort and categorise. That's the one that makes the work accurate and quick.
A PDF statement is a picture of your statement. Perfectly usable, just slower, because the figures have to be pulled out of it before anything can be done with them.
Send CSV where your bank offers it. Where it doesn't, PDF is completely fine — it just takes me a bit longer at my end, and it costs you nothing extra either way.
One thing worth knowing before you start
Most banks let you export transactions as data for roughly the last two years, while PDF statements go back about seven. Since the Drilldown looks at twelve months, you sit comfortably inside the CSV window at every bank below. If you ever need something older than two years, PDF statements will be the only route.
Commonwealth Bank
- PDF — NetBank
- Open the account from the Home page, then Download latest statement, or View all statements to pick a financial year, tick the ones you want and download them together.
- PDF — app
- Accounts → tap the account → Manage → View statements → enter your app PIN if asked → tap a statement → Download.
- CSV
- NetBank has an Export function on the transactions screen, but CommBank doesn't publish a step-by-step path for it. Look for Export while viewing your transactions. If you can't find it, send PDFs instead.
- How far back
- Statements up to 7 years. The transactions screen shows about 2 years.
CommBank's own NetBank support pages
Westpac
- PDF — online
- Overview → Statements → choose the account → set a date range or pick a preset → Search → Download PDF.
- PDF — app
- Tap the Smart Search bar → search Statements → choose the account → tap the statement period → use the share icon to save it.
- CSV — online
- Overview → Exports and reports → under Transactions choose Export → set the date range → pick the account → choose CSV → Export.
- CSV — app
- Smart Search → type transactions report → Download transactions report → choose account and period → Download.
- How far back
- Up to 7 years of statements online and in the app.
NAB
- PDF — internet banking
- Accounts → Account statements → choose the account → pick a date range → Search → tick up to 25 statements → Download.
- PDF — app
- Tap the account → Statements → tap a statement date → confirm the security message → Share to save it.
- CSV — internet banking
- Accounts → Transaction history → Export → choose spreadsheet. Export isn't available in the app.
- How far back
- Statements 7 years in internet banking but only 2 years in the app — use a browser for anything older. Transaction export covers 731 days and opens on a 30-day view, so widen the dates.
NAB's own statements help page
ANZ
- PDF — internet banking
- Select the account → View statements in the left menu → choose the account from the dropdown → Download. The statement opens in a new window, so pop-ups need to be enabled — this is the usual reason nothing appears to happen.
- PDF — app
- Select the account → Statements → tap one open → share icon at top right. For a closed account or cancelled card: More → View statements → closed accounts sit at the bottom of the list.
- CSV — internet banking
- Select the account → Download at the top of the Transactions tab → choose the time period → choose a software format → Download. Covers the last 2 years, and open accounts only.
- Worth noting
- If every linked ANZ account is closed you lose access to the history — so pull your statements before you close an account.
ING
- PDF — online banking
- Statements → View statements → choose the account and statement period → Find → download. For anything since your last statement, choose Interim statement.
- PDF — app
- Select the account → Manage → Statements → choose the period → download.
- CSV
- ING offers transaction export but doesn't publish the steps. Have a look while viewing your transactions, and send PDFs if you can't find it.
Bankwest and everyone else
Bankwest doesn't publish download instructions on its public site, so rather than guess at a path and waste your time, I'd rather you called them on 13 17 19 or asked me and we'll work it out on the phone. Statements are in Bankwest Online Banking and the app — it's just a matter of finding them.
Same goes for any bank not listed here. Credit unions, mutuals and the newer digital banks all handle it differently. Search their help site for statements or export transactions, and call me if it's not obvious in a couple of minutes. Working this out is not something you should spend your evening on.
What I will never ask for
Your internet banking login, your password, or a one-time code. Not ever, for any reason.
Some services ask you to hand over your banking credentials so they can retrieve statements on your behalf. I don't work that way. You download your own files and send them through the secure link I give you, which means your login stays yours and nobody can act on your account but you.
If anyone claiming to be from my office ever asks you for those details, it isn't me. Hang up and call me on 0417 969 161.
A note on these instructions
Banks redesign their apps and websites regularly, so a menu may have moved since this page was last checked. Each section links to the bank's own help page, which will always be more current than mine. If something doesn't match what you're seeing, call me rather than hunting — it takes two minutes to sort out together.