Anti Money Laundering changes - Effective 23rd February 2009
In December 2006, Australia passed new laws to bring us in line with international standards and guide our identification and mitigation of money laundering and terrorism financing. The Westpac Customer Identification Standards list the types of documents that can be used for identification when opening a bank account with us. Some forms previously available on this web site have been removed due to legislation changes.
Australian currency accounts
Guidelines
Transactional account Product Disclosure Statement (PDF 310KB)
Forms
For any account opening and authorities change applications submitted from 24 January 2020, all account signatories will be required to present at least one form of photo ID containing their full name, and date of birth (such as a drivers licence, passport) to an authorised Westpac representative or by visiting a local Westpac Branch to be identified. A secondary form of identification may be required in some instances.
Account opening form - Commonwealth Government (PDF 125KB)
Authority and indemnity for facsimile instructions (PDF 50KB)
Notice of authority - Commonwealth Government (PDF 381KB)
Annexure 'A' to notice of authority - Commonwealth Government (PDF 58KB)
Notice of authority (specific account) - Commonwealth Government (PDF 386KB)
Annexure 'A' to notice of authority (specific account) - Commonwealth Government (PDF 233KB)
Notice of authority for addition to persons authorised - Commonwealth Government (PDF 73KB)
Annexure 'A' to notice of authority for addition to persons authorised - Commonwealth Government (PDF 63KB)
What identification is required?
Individuals (Account Signatories)
Individuals transacting on an account will be required to be Westpac Identified. Please have them present their identification documentation at their local Westpac Branch. Once they have been identified, please contact your Client Enquiry Manager and provide them with the new Customer Number.
Certified Copy
A certified copy means an identification document that has been certified as a true and correct copy of an original document by an approved certifier (refer below for approved certifiers).
The approved certifier must certify that the photocopy is a true and correct copy of the original by writing on and signing the photocopy as follows:
I, [full name of approved certifier], a/an [select appropriate from list of approved persons below], certify that this [name of document] is a true and correct copy of the original. [Signature and date]
Example:
I, John Citizen, a Justice of the Peace, certify that this Trust Deed is a true and correct copy of the original.
John Citizen
Approved Certifiers
The following persons are approved by the Bank to certify identification documents:
- A person who is enrolled on the roll of the Supreme Court of a State or Territory, or the High Court of Australia, as a legal practitioner (however described)
- A judge of a court
- A magistrate
- A chief executive officer of a Commonwealth Court
- A registrar or deputy registrar of a court
- A Justice of the Peace
- A notary public (for the purposes of the Statutory Declaration Regulations 1993)
- A police officer
- An agent of the Australian Postal Corporation who is in charge of an office supplying postal services to the public
- A permanent employee of the Australian Postal corporation with 2 or more years of continuous service who is employed in an office supplying postal services to the public
- An Australian consular officer or an Australian diplomatic officer (within the meaning of the Consular Fees Act 1955)
- A bank or building society officer with 2 or more continuous years of service
- A finance company officer with 2 or more continuous years of service
- An officer with, or authorised representative of, a holder of an Australian financial services licence, having 2 or more continuous years of service with one or more licensees
- A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, CPA Australia or the National Institute of Accountants with 2 or more years of continuous membership
- A Commissioner for Declarations
- A Commissioner for Affidavits.
Guidance Document for Customers
The document below has been prepared for customers to provide guidance on the process for certifying identification documents.
WIB Customer Guidance on Certifying ID Documents (PDF 24KB)
Sample forms
Sample account opening form (PDF 40KB)
Please return completed documents to your client Enquiry Manager
Closing accounts
Account Closure Request (PDF 431KB)
This form is a standard template requesting closure of an on-shore Australian dollar transactional account.
- This letter must be printed on your Company / Customer Letterhead and signed by the authorised account signatories.
- If the closing account is a drawing / debit account and/or a fee account for either a Merchant or Direct Entry facility, please contact your Client Enquiry Manager prior to completing an Account Closure Request form.
Please return completed documentation to your Client Enquiry Manager.
How do I open foreign currency accounts?
A Foreign Currency Account is an Australian based deposit account for foreign currency. They are available for most major currencies.
The Account Opening form and Notice of Authority must be completed to establish a Foreign Currency Account.
Foreign Currency Account Opening Form (PDF 1021KB)
Notice of Authority (PDF 212KB)
Foreign Currency Account - Terms & Conditions (PDF 3MB)
Incorporates the Terms and Conditions of accounts.
Foreign Currency Term Deposits
Foreign Currency Term Deposits PDS (PDF 109KB)
Foreign Currency Term Deposit Application (PDF 158KB)
How do I close foreign currency accounts?
Please complete and return the Foreign Currency Accounts Request for Account Closure request (PDF 125KB) when requesting the closure of an on-shore foreign currency account. This document allows you to type details directly onto it and should be signed by authorised signatories.
Please return completed documentation to your Client Enquiry Manager.