Foreign currency accounts
Benefits
- Make and receive payments in another currency without converting to AUD
- Accounts available in a range of foreign currencies
- Online access via Westpac Live to make and view transactions.
How it works
- You choose when your foreign currency is converted into AUD
- You can see your foreign currency account next to your other accounts in Westpac Live online banking
- Open online in less than 10 minutes for the 11 foreign currencies listed below. Other foreign currencies are available in branch or by speaking with your banker.
No monthly account maintenance fee.
Accounts have an Australian BSB.
Overdrafts are also available (on application) in foreign currencies.
Available currencies
| Foreign currency accounts that can be opened online: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
USD - United States Dollars |  |
GBP - Great British Pounds |  |
JPY - Japanese Yen |
 |
ZAR - South African Rand |  |
EUR - Euro |  |
NOK - Norwegian Kroner |
 |
CAD - Canadian Dollars |  |
DKK - Danish Kroner |  |
SGD - Singapore Dollars |
 |
NZD - New Zealand Dollars |  |
CNY - Chinese Yuan RMB |  |
HKD - Hong Kong Dollars |
Interest paid by Westpac to you on positive balances (credit interest rates)
You can refer to the following table for current Foreign Currency Account credit interest rates. Interest is:
- Calculated daily on each balance amount within the tiers stated below
- Paid monthly in arrears on the last business day of each calendar month.
The Foreign Currency credit interest rates below are correct as at 30th August 2019.
| Currency | Tier 1 balances |
Tier 1 Interest Rates p.a. |
Tier 2 balances | Tier 2 Interest Rates p.a. | Tier 3 Balances |
Tier 3 Interest Rates p.a. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | 0 - 5,000 | 0% | 5,001 - 50,000 | 0% | over 50,000 | 0% |
| CAD | 0 - 6,000 | 0% | 6,001 - 60,000 | 0% | over 60,000 | 0% |
| CHF | 0 - 6,000 | 0% | 6,001 - 60,000 | 0% | over 60,000 | 0% |
| CNY | All balances | 0% |
||||
| DKK | 0 - 30,000 | 0% | 30,001 - 300,000 | 0% | over 300,000 | 0% |
| EUR | 0 - 4,000 | 0% | 4,001 - 40,000 | 0% | over 40,000 | 0% |
| GBP | 0 - 3,000 | 0% | 3,001 - 30,000 | 0% | over 30,000 | 0% |
| HKD | 0 - 40,000 |
0% | 40,001 - 400,000 | 0% | over 400,000 | 0% |
| JPY | 0 - 535,000 | 0% | 535,001 - 5,350,000 | 0% | over 5,350,000 | 0% |
| NOK | 0 - 30,000 |
0% | 30,001 - 300,000 | 0% | over 300,000 | 0% |
| NZD | 0 - 7,000 |
0% | 7,001 - 70,000 | 0% | over 70,000 | 0.75% |
| SEK | 0 - 35,000 |
0% | 35,001 - 350,000 | 0% | over 350,000 | 0% |
| SGD | 0 - 8,500 |
0% | 8,501 - 85,000 | 0% | over 85,000 | 0% |
| THB | 0 - 200,000 |
0% | 200,001 - 2,000,000 | 0% | over 2,000,001 | 0% |
| ZAR | All balances |
0% |
Interest paid by you to Westpac on negative balances (overdraft interest rates)
Debit interest is applicable to Foreign Currency Overdrafts attached to Foreign Currency Accounts. The debit interest rate applicable to the overdraft comprises a base rate plus a margin over the base rate agreed at the time the overdraft is established. You can refer to the following table for the current base rates. Overdraft base rates are variable and subject to change.
The Foreign Currency Account overdraft base rates below are correct as at 30th August 2019.
| Currency | Interest rate |
|---|---|
| CAD - Canadian Dollars | 4.40% |
| CHF - Swiss Francs | 2.95% |
| EUR - Euro | 3.65% |
| GBP - British Pound | 4.20% |
| HKD - Hong Kong Dollar | 4.20% |
| JPY - Japanese Yen | 2.20% |
| NOK - Norwegian Kroner | 6.70% |
| NZD - New Zealand Dollar | 5.55% |
| SEK - Swedish Kroner | 6.70% |
| SGD - Singapore Dollar | 4.05% |
| USD - United States Dollar |
3.10% |
Conditions, fees and normal lending criteria apply. More product details are available on request.
Fees paid by you to Westpac on positive balances (credit balance fee) – wholesale clients only
Some foreign currencies may have very low or negative interest rates. If you hold an account in one of these currencies, and Westpac determines that you are a wholesale client* as defined under the Corporations Act, a credit balance fee may be applicable to your account. You should refer to the Foreign Currency Account terms and conditions for more information. In particular you should refer to the information and examples under the section headed “Interest rates and credit balance fees” in the terms and conditions.
You can refer to the following table for current credit balance fees. The fee is calculated and applied daily on total account balance amount.
The Foreign Currency credit balance fees below are correct as at 8th February 2018.
| Currency | Tier 1 | Tier 1 Rate | Tier 2 | Tier 2 Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | All balances | 0% | ||
| GBP | All balances | 0% | ||
| HKD | All balances | 0% | ||
| EUR | 0 - 750,000 | 0% | over 750,000 | 0.48% |
| DKK | 0 - 5,500,000 | 0% | over 5,500,000 | 0.94% |
| JPY | 0 - 100,000,000 | 0% | over 100,000,000 | 0.17% |
| CHF | 0 - 900,000 | 0% | over 900,000 | 1.02% |
| SEK | 0 - 7,500,000 | 0% | over 7,500,000 | 0.77% |
Credit balance fees are only applicable to clients who are determined by Westpac to be wholesale clients* as defined under the Corporations Act.
*If Westpac determines that you are a wholesale client as defined under the Corporations Act, Westpac will notify you before applying a credit balance fee to your Foreign Currency Account.
More information
For more information refer to the terms and conditions:
If you have any queries or would like to apply for a currency not available online you can:
- Contact any Westpac branch
- Contact your Westpac Relationship Manager.
For foreign currency overdraft interest rates, you can:
- Call the Westpac International Service Line on 131 032
- Contact any Westpac branch
- Contact your Westpac Relationship Manager.
For enquiries or full details of all terms and conditions:
- Call the Westpac International Service Line on 131 032
- Contact any Westpac branch.
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Things you should know
Foreign Currency Account Terms & Conditions (PDF 158KB)
International Products and Services Standard Fees (PDF 1MB)
A Foreign Currency Account should not be used to speculate on foreign currencies or to conduct frequent trading of foreign currencies.
A Foreign Currency Account is not an account to assist with travel needs. It cannot be linked to a Travel Money card and you cannot access your Foreign Currency Account through an ATM, either within Australia or overseas.
You cannot withdraw or deposit foreign notes or coins into a Foreign Currency Account.
Deposits held in Foreign Currency Accounts are not covered by the Australian Government’s Financial Claims Scheme.
Credit facilities are subject to application and the Bank's normal lending assessment criteria. Fees and charges may apply to the products and services listed. Full details of the Terms and Conditions for all the products and services which do not have a Product Disclosure Statement are available on application.
1. Westpac Live was named Best Digital Platform at the Australian Business Banking Awards 2018. Westpac’s Online Banking is subject to terms and conditions and may be subject to fees and charges. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Consider its appropriateness to these factors before acting on it. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Terms and Conditions or Product Disclosure Statement before deciding. Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714