Human rights

We believe in respecting human rights in everything we do.

Our position

As one of Australia and New Zealand’s largest banks, there are a range of ways we may influence and impact the human rights of stakeholders. We have both a responsibility to respect human rights across our activities and relationships and opportunities to support and advance human rights.


Our Human Rights Position Statement and Action Plan (PDF 1MB) sets out Westpac’s commitments and approach to respecting and advancing human rights as defined in the International Bill of Human Rights and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. This is our fourth Human Rights Position Statement and Action Plan, and it integrates our position on child safeguarding, which is also set out in our Child Safeguarding Supplement (PDF 1MB).

Our approach1

Our human rights approach is focused on implementing our commitments across our roles as a bank:

 

Lender to business, corporates and institutions

Employer

Lender to individuals

Purchaser of goods and services

Financial services provider

Supporter of communities


Across these roles, we seek to conduct human rights due diligence (paying special attention to our salient human rights issues, including modern slavery) and to provide or participate in effective grievance mechanisms and remedy.

 

Human rights due diligence

We are committed to undertaking ongoing human rights due diligence to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for our human rights risks and impacts, whilst paying special attention to risks relating to our salient human rights issues and to vulnerable or at-risk individuals and groups.

Our human rights due diligence processes

We seek to incorporate human rights risk factors, typologies and indicators into our frameworks, policies, processes and decision-making, including human rights due diligence processes to identify, assess and manage human rights risks and impacts associated with our operations (including products and services) and business partners (including customers and suppliers).

 

These processes include but are not limited to our ESG risk assessments, transaction monitoring, payment screening and other financial crime processes, Responsible Sourcing Assessments, employee and third-party due diligence, and customer care protocols.
 
They are guided by our Sustainability Risk Management Framework and supported by our Sustainability Customer Requirements (PDF 392KB), which sets out our requirements for lending to larger business customers.

Our salient human rights issues2

Part of our human rights due diligence is assessing our salient human rights issues so that we can focus our efforts on addressing the most severe potential and actual impacts to people.


We have identified and reported on our salient human rights issues since 2018. Going forward, we aim to regularly review our salient issues to track progress and confirm they remain relevant.
 

How we determined our salient issues

What we did

In 2025, we completed a Human Rights Risk Assessment (HRRA) to deepen our understanding of our salient human rights issues with consideration for how human rights risks may materialise across each of our roles as a bank.


In doing so, we:

  • Assessed both inherent and residual likelihood and severity of impact to people.
  • Assessed the scope, scale and irremediability of the impact.
  • Considered how impacts may be experienced by different groups of people, including vulnerable and at-risk groups.
  • Reviewed our lending portfolio and procurement spend categories to identify sectors with a higher inherent level of human rights risk.


While the assessment considered human rights risk across a range of scenarios, it did not detail risks specific to each of our brands.

Who we engaged

We leveraged insights and validated findings with internal and external stakeholders through interviews, workshops and an internal survey.


Through the process, we engaged:

  • Our employees and internal teams.
  • External human rights experts and advocacy groups.
  • Representatives of affected rights-holders (such as customers, supply chain workers and community) through civil society organisations and industry groups.

Through the Human Rights Risk Assessment (HRRA) process, we reviewed our processes and policies to confirm the actions we have in place to address our salient human rights issues.

 

Some examples of these actions are provided under each salient issue below.

 

We recognise that we can’t control or prevent all adverse impacts associated with these issues (particularly where we are directly linked to impacts through our business relationships, where we have limited leverage), and have processes in place that aim to use any leverage we may have to reduce the likelihood and severity of adverse outcomes. Where appropriate, we have also identified further actions to strengthen our human rights response and seek improvement opportunities.

We recognise the importance of defining meaningful metrics to track our impact and the effectiveness of the actions we take to address our salient issues.


We have developed an approach to human rights impact monitoring and evaluation, which includes an initial set of key metrics to track each salient issue.


Refer to our Sustainability Index and Datasheet: Human Rights tab (XLS 1MB) for an overview of these metrics and annual performance data.


We seek to continue to mature our approach over time by integrating key learnings and internal and external stakeholder feedback and refining the measures we use to better track outcomes and change in addition to output-based measures.

Risks that customers and communities are vulnerable to or affected by the physical impacts of climate change (such as natural disasters or sea level rise) and are unable to access support for natural disaster response, climate mitigation or adaptation.

 

  

Examples of human rights that could be impacted

  • Right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment
  • Right to an adequate standard of living
  • Indigenous People’s rights.

Some examples of how we are taking action

  • Dedicated customer assistance, e.g. hardship and disaster support packages.
  • Climate Change Position and Climate Transition Plan.
  • Westpac New Zealand Adaptation Planning Program.
  • Climate scenario analysis, e.g. analysis of percentage of retail mortgages likely to be exposed to higher physical risks.

Risks of customer or product connections to conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs3), including via potential connections to conflict minerals and/or the harmful use of force against workers or communities.


  

Examples of human rights that could be impacted

  • Right to life
  • Right to health
  • Right to liberty and security of the person
  • Right to freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Some examples of how we are taking action

  • Financial Crime Risk Management Framework and supporting policies and standards, e.g. Westpac Group Sanctions Policy.
  • Credit and lending processes, e.g. ESG Credit Risk Policy, ESG risk assessments and Sustainability Positions.

Risks of impacts to customers in times of hardship, vulnerability, exploitation or abuse (including situations of financial hardship, fraud, scams, financial abuse, coercion or domestic and family violence).

 

  

Examples of human rights that could be impacted

  • Right to an adequate standard of living
  • Right to liberty and security of the person
  • Right to protection of the family
  • Right to freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
  • Children’s rights.

Some examples of how we are taking action

  • Customer Vulnerability Framework, policies and standards
  • Product and service design and delivery, e.g. application of Safety by Design principles
  • Dedicated customer assistance, e.g. hardship and disaster support packages
  • Fraud and scams prevention and detection measures.

 

Risks that our people, supply chain workers, customers and communities may experience discrimination, bullying or harassment (including sexual harassment) within our workplace and value chain.
 

    

Examples of human rights that could be impacted

  • Right to equality and non-discrimination
  • Right to liberty and security of the person
  • Right to a safe and healthy workplace
  • Right to just and favourable conditions of work
  • Rights to freedom of thought, religion, opinion and expression
  • Rights of minorities.

Some examples of how we are taking action

  • Code of Conduct, policies and processes related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and discrimination, bullying and harassment.
  • Responsible Sourcing Code of Conduct.
  • Dedicated employee grievance processes and specialist Human Resources (HR), Health, Safety and Wellbeing (HSW) and Risk teams.
  • Product and service design and delivery, e.g. application of Safety By Design principles.

Risks of impacts to communities, including to their health or cultural heritage, arising from the environmental impacts of our direct operations, financing activities and value chain.

 

    

Examples of human rights that could be impacted

  • Right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment
  • Right to health
  • Right to an adequate standard of living (including to water and sanitation)
  • Right to enjoy and benefit from culture
  • Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

Some examples of how we are taking action

  • Natural Capital Position
  • Climate Change Position and Climate Transition Plan
  • Credit and lending processes, e.g. ESG Credit Risk Policy, ESG risk assessments and Sustainability Positions.

Risks that customers and communities (including diverse customers) experience inequitable access to finance, financial education, or to our sites and facilities in such a way that it impacts their ability to meet basic needs. 


  

Examples of human rights that could be impacted

  • Right to equality and non-discrimination
  • Right to own property
  • Right to an adequate standard of living
  • Right to education
  • Right to health.

Some examples of how we are taking action

  • Accessible and inclusive product and service design and delivery, e.g. Westpac Group Access and Inclusion Plan
  • First Nations and in-community banking
  • Financial education training and tools.
     

Risks of impacts to the physical, mental and emotional health, safety and wellbeing of our people, supply chain workers, customers and communities across our workplace, sites, products, services and value chain.


        

Examples of human rights that could be impacted

  • Right to health
  • Right to life
  • Right to a safe and healthy workplace
  • Right to just and favourable conditions of work.

Some examples of how we are taking action

  • Health, Safety and Wellbeing Statement of Commitment and supporting workplace policies and processes.
  • Dedicated employee grievance processes and specialist Human Resources (HR), Health, Safety and Wellbeing (HSW) and Risk teams.
  • Credit and lending processes, e.g. ESG Credit Risk Policy, ESG risk assessments and Sustainability Positions.
  • Responsible Sourcing Code of Conduct.

Risks that customers and communities experience inequitable access to affordable home finance or insurance and subsequent risks of hardship.


Examples of human rights that could be impacted

  • Right to own property
  • Right to an adequate standard of living (including to adequate housing).

Some examples of how we are taking action

  • Inclusive product and service features, e.g. Lenders Mortgage Insurance waivers for 23 professional occupations.
  • Dedicated customer assistance, e.g. hardship and disaster support packages.
  • Support for housing affordability, through our Sustainability Strategy.
  • Sustainable lending, through our Sustainable Finance Framework.

Risks of customer or product connections to land rights violations or other impacts to communities and First Nations peoples and their livelihoods or cultural heritage, as associated with land use or resettlement, compensation practices, community consultation and dialogue, or FPIC practices.

 

  

Examples of human rights that could be impacted

  • Land rights
  • Indigenous Peoples’ rights
  • Right to own property
  • Right to an adequate standard of living (including to water and sanitation)
  • Right to cultural heritage.

Some examples of how we are taking action

  • Credit and lending processes, e.g. ESG Credit Risk Policy, ESG risk assessments and Sustainability Positions.
  • Reconciliation Action Plan, e.g. FPIC engagement actions.

Risk of modern slavery or labour rights violations in our workforce, supply chain and value chain, including where customers misuse our products and services to facilitate modern slavery, child sexual exploitation or other human impact financial crime.

 

Practices that can constitute modern slavery include human trafficking, slavery, servitude, forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage and the worst forms of child labour.

 

Practices that can constitute labour rights violations can relate to fair and equal wages, work conditions, unionisation and collective bargaining.


For more information, refer to our Modern Slavery Statements below.
 

        

Examples of human rights that could be impacted

  • Right to freedom from slavery, servitude or forced labour
  • Right to freedom from child labour
  • Right to freedom of movement
  • Right to just and favourable conditions of work
  • Right to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Some examples of how we are taking action

  • Financial Crime Risk Management Framework and supporting policies and standards, e.g. third party due diligence standards.
  • Credit and lending processes, e.g. ESG Credit Risk Policy, ESG risk assessments and Sustainability Positions.
  • BT’s Investment Governance policies and BTNZ Sustainable Investment Policy.
  • Remuneration and other people policies.
  • Industrial Relations program and Enterprise Agreements.
  • Responsible Sourcing Code of Conduct.

Risks of impacts to the privacy of our people, supply chain workers, customers and communities, as associated with potential unlawful or inappropriate surveillance or the loss or unauthorised breach of personal data.

       

Examples of human rights that could be impacted

  • Right to privacy
  • Right to liberty and security of the person (for certain at-risk individuals).

Some examples of how we are taking action

  • Privacy Statement and supporting policies, standards and processes, e.g. privacy risk assessments, investigations and monitoring.
  • Data protection policies and standards.

Grievance mechanisms and remedy

We are committed to providing or participating in effective grievance mechanisms, and to providing for or cooperating in the remediation of adverse human rights impacts that we identify we have caused or contributed to. We also recognise that we may be able to play a role in remedying abuses and violations where we are directly linked to an adverse impact.

 

We have a range of grievance mechanisms4 available that can be used by:

  • Members of the public
  • Customers
  • Employees (including current and former employees)
  • Business partners (including suppliers).

 

These mechanisms are outlined in our Human Rights Position Statement and Action Plan along with more information on how to use them.

Our progress

We are committed to tracking the implementation and effectiveness of our human rights commitments and approach and disclosing our human rights progress and performance.


Information on our impact and annual performance against our salient human rights issues is available in our Sustainability Index and Datasheet: Human Rights tab (XLS 1MB).


You can find more on the actions we’re taking and how we manage human rights in the documents listed below:

Modern Slavery Statements

As a salient human rights issue for the bank, we are committed to identifying, assessing and managing modern slavery risks and impacts across our operations and supply chain, through our human rights due diligence processes as outlined above. Our actions to manage our modern slavery risks are targeted to our highest risk areas.


Our 2024 Modern Slavery Statement (PDF 8MB) has been prepared to meet the mandatory reporting criteria set out under both the Australian Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) and the United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act (2015) and describes the actions Westpac Group has taken to address modern slavery risk across our operations and supply chain in FY24.


Previous Modern Slavery Statements:

2023 Modern Slavery Statement (PDF 2MB) (PDF 2MB)

2022 Modern Slavery Statement (PDF 1MB) (PDF 1MB)

2021 Modern Slavery Statement (PDF 1MB) (PDF 1MB)

2020 Modern Slavery Statement (PDF 4MB) (PDF 4MB)

2019 Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement (PDF 142KB) (PDF 142KB)

2018 Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement (PDF 224KB) (PDF 224KB)

2017 Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement (PDF 229KB) (PDF 229KB)

Our engagement, partnerships and advocacy

We seek to collaborate and engage with stakeholders on key sustainability topics, including human rights, to evolve our approach to sustainability and how we manage risks and impacts in these areas.

Things you should know

  1. This reflects the approach set out in our Human Rights Position Statement and Action Plan (PDF 1MB). Unless otherwise stated, the Position applies globally, incorporating all Westpac Group brands (including Westpac, St.George, BankSA, Bank of Melbourne, RAMS, Westpac Institutional Bank) and locations across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, PNG, Asia, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States, but excludes products provided through BT Funds Management (NZ) Limited (BTNZ), Margin Lending products, products provided through BT Financial Group and any other indirect exposures from our investment or lending activities (such as third-party managed funds). As noted in the Position, in some instances our approach may be more advanced in Australia which represents the vast majority of our operations, and we continue to work to implement and align this approach as appropriate across the locations where we operate.
  2. In line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) Reporting Framework, ‘salient human rights issues’ are those areas across our operations and supply chain (including through our business relationships), where the risk is greatest of the most severe negative impact to people and their human rights. These risks may arise for a range of reasons, both within and outside of Westpac Group’s control or influence.
  3. While there is no universal definition of CAHRA, in line with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas and legal criteria under international humanitarian law, it includes a state of armed conflict (interstate war, civil war and military occupation), widespread violence or unrest, heightened presence of private security actors or other non-State armed groups, political instability or repression, State fragility, or widespread and systematic human rights abuses or violations of international humanitarian law.
  4. These mechanisms operate in Australia. Certain locations operate region-specific feedback, complaints and grievance mechanisms.