How the Westpac app helped one dad clean the house - and teach his son to save

Marina Gainulina
04:00pm October 20 2025

When Varun Nagappa helped build the Chores feature in the Westpac app, he didn’t expect it would help him get the bins out on time. 

Nagappa, who leads product delivery in Westpac’s online banking team, was part of the crew behind the bank’s new Family Hub - a suite of tools designed to help parents teach kids about money.

But it wasn’t until he trialled the app at home with his nine-year-old son Nico that he realised the feature had another unexpected benefit: fewer arguments about housework. 

“It’s helped Nico stay motivated to contribute around the house,” Nagappa says. “And it’s sparked some meaningful conversations between us about responsibility and saving.” 

The Chores tool lets parents and kids create task lists together. Kids get notified when jobs go live, tick them off when they’re done, and receive pocket money once approved - all within the app. It’s a modern twist on the classic fridge chore chart, but with a financial literacy upgrade. 

The Pocket Money and Chores feature is available within the Westpac App, turning earning and saving money into a fun and educational activity for kids. 

And it’s timely. Westpac research shows that three in four (74 per cent) of Australian parents give their kids pocket money, with most doing so to teach the value of money or reward completed chores. Nearly half now use digital payments - a sign that the piggy bank has gone digital. 

Chris Brell, Westpac’s MD of Everyday Banking, says the Family Hub is designed to help parents bring money lessons to life in a way that’s intuitive and safe. 

“Parents can use these tools to motivate kids to stay on top of their tasks - and their savings goals,” Brell says. 

For Nico, those goals include footy cards, Friday treats and a new Lego set. He saved up for it himself, and according to his dad, the moment he bought it was “incredibly rewarding”. 

It’s a small example of how digital banking tools are evolving beyond transactions - into tools for parenting, financial education and even household harmony. 

And for Nagappa, it’s a rare moment where work and home life collide in the best possible way. 

“You don’t often get to work on something that has a direct, positive impact on your own family,” he says. “It’s a special kind of feeling.” 

Marina Gainulina

Marina Gainulina is a Content Producer for Westpac Wire, with ten years of experience in marketing communications. She holds a Bachelor of Communications & Media (Journalism) degree and a drive to connect with discerning audiences via authentic storytelling across mediums. She has managed editorial and brand comms for the likes of Tiffany & Co., Hugo Boss, NIVEA and GRAZIA.

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