Manage Account Authority for your Business
As an administrator, you can manage who is authorised to operate your business accounts and how those accounts are managed.
Types of account authority
Account authority determines who can operate your business accounts and how those accounts are managed.
A signatory is authorised to operate your account at a Westpac branch on behalf of the business, in line with the account’s operating rules.
Operating rules define how signatories must act together to authorise transactions, such as whether one or more signatories are required.
Online Banking access allows users to view or transact online but does not provide signatory (branch) authority. Online access is managed separately.
What you can do online today
As an administrator, you can manage key account authority changes for eligible business transaction and savings accounts through Online Banking or the Westpac App.
These digital options help you keep account authority up to date without completing paper forms or visiting a branch.
Tip: Not sure if you're an Administrator? Find out your access in Online Banking by going to Service > Preferences > Profile access.
Manage signatory access
You can manage who has signatory access to your eligible business accounts online, without needing to visit a branch.
- View who has signatory access to your business accounts
Add a new signatory to your business accounts
Remove an existing signatory from your business accounts
Submit requests online, with approvals completed by nominated approvers where required
- In the App: Go to Business > Account Services > Manage account access
In Online Banking: Go to Service > Services > Manage account access - Select Manage signatory access.
- Choose the account and the signatory you want to remove.
- Follow the prompts to submit your request.
- If approvals are required, nominated approvers will be notified to review and approve the request.
- Once approved, the signatory’s access will be removed.
- In the App: Go to Business > Account Services > Manage account access
In Online Banking: Go to Service > Services > Manage account access - Select Manage signatory access.
- Choose the account and the signatory you want to add.
- Follow the prompts to submit your request.
- If approvals are required, nominated approvers will be notified to review and approve the request.
- Once approved, the signatory’s access will be added.
- Signatory access won’t be added or removed until all required approvals are completed.
- Requests must align with the account’s existing operating rules.
- Some account types or authority changes may still require branch support.
- Signatories must be a Westpac customer.
- For joint accounts, other account holders need to approve the request.
Change operating rules
You can digitally change how singatories are required to act together on an eligible business account.
Update signing requirements (for example, how many signatories are needed)
Ensure account controls reflect how your business operates
- In the App: Go to Business > Account Services > Manage account access
In Online Banking: Go to Service > Services > Manage account access - Select Change operating rule.
- Choose the account you want to update.
- Select the new operating rule and submit your request.
| Any to sign | Two or more to sign | All to sign |
|---|---|---|
| One authorised person can operate the account or make payments on their own. | More than one authorised person must approve actions on the account. | All authorised people must approve transactions and changes. |
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|
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Where required, company officeholders will be notified to approve the change before it takes effect.
If you’re unable to complete this online
In some cases, you may see a message letting you know this request can’t be completed online. This usually happens when the account type, business structure, or authority setup isn’t currently supported for digital servicing.
What to do next
Complete the Notice of Authority form (PDF 788KB)
Return the original signed form, along with your verification documents, to any Westpac branch or your Relationship Manager.
You’ve received a request to approve an account authority change
You’ve received a notification letting you know that your approval is required for a change to a business account you’re associated with. This helps ensure any updates to account access or operating rules are authorised and secure.
The request may ask you to approve one of the following:
Adding or removing a signatory on a business account
Changing how the account is operated (for example, how many signatories are required)
You’ll be able to review the details before deciding whether to approve or decline.
Approvals help protect the business by ensuring only authorised changes are made
In some cases, more than one approver may be required
You can review all details before approving
If you’re unsure about a request, you can choose not to approve it and follow up with the person who submitted it.
Frequently asked questions
A signatory will operate your account, subject to your account’s operating rules and the account terms. A signatory may:
- Draw or stop payment of a cheque or other instruments drawn on the account
- Make, accept, endorse or discount cheques or other instruments payable to you
- Overdraw the account, up to any approved limit and as allowed by Westpac
- Set up, change or cancel Periodical Payments and Direct Debits (includes debiting the account for any related charges or costs)
- Use the account and make transactions in any way Westpac allows, including online and other available methods
- Move an account between branches (this may not be allowed in Victoria)
- Close the account
- Ask questions, give instructions, and get account information
- Give instructions about payments into the account, including setting up a PayID
- Sign any documents given by Westpac, including guarantees and indemnities relating to:
1. Missing documents
2. Guarantees or similar commitments Westpac provides for you, or on your behalf. - Make arrangements with Westpac about any property Westpac holds for you, including using it as security, and to receive that property.
- Meet any other terms and conditions agreed by you.
For Westpac Term Deposit or Farm Management Deposit accounts, a signatory may be able to:
- Add money to the account
- Receive deposits and interest
- Give instructions for payment or renewal at maturity or otherwise.
Read Westpac’s Notice of Authority form (PDF 788KB) to understand the full scope of a signatory’s authority and what these terms mean.
To add an Administrator to your online business banking, please visit this page.
A person with signatory access is not automatically given access to Online Banking. To understand more about Online Banking permissions, please visit this page.
Switching to this rule:
- Cancels debit cards linked to the account
- Restricts online and phone banking to view-only access
- Requires all signatories to be present for actions such as changing overdraw preferences, closing account or authorising withdrawals