Safe and secure banking for young people
We make banking safe for young people and give parents a way to help along the journey to independence. We’ve added new ways to help young customers manage their money safely.
A first step towards good banking habits
Opening a bank account is an exciting first step for a young person. We help to make the journey safe and give parents the chance to guide and support along the way. A good place to start is for children under 14 to have a parent or guardian as a signatory on their account.
Kid-friendly features
Daily limit controls
A Daily Payment Limit is the maximum amount of money that can leave an account in 24 hours. Under 14s that open a Choice Youth account will have a daily spending limit of $50. This limit can be changed anytime in Online Banking or the Westpac App when needed.
Weekly spend limit
A Weekly Spend Limit is the maximum amount of money that can be spent per week on a Debit Mastercard®. An optional feature that can be set up in the Westpac App. This handy tool could help teach children to manage their money, by not spending it all at once. Card transactions will be declined as the Weekly Spend Limit has been reached. Change the limit as they get more experience with using their card for purchases.
For customers aged 8-14, a default weekly limit of $50 applies, which can be changed in Online Banking or the Westpac App.
- First, a parent or guardian needs third party value access to the account
- The child must have Online Banking set up
- The child’s Debit Mastercard needs to be turned on.
Once these steps are done, parents or guardians can change how much money their child can spend.
Customers who are 14 or older can update their limit in the Westpac App or Online Banking.
In the Westpac App:
1. Search Daily Payment Limit.
2. Follow the prompts to enter the new limit.
In Online Banking:
1. Go to Service > Preferences > Daily Payment Limit
2. Select Update my Daily Payment Limit.
3. Enter your new limit, then select Save.
Online payment restrictions
If a Choice account holder is under 14, BPAY® and international payments are blocked. These payments can’t be made in Online Banking or the Westpac App. They can only be made in-branch.
Kid-friendly shopping
All Choice Youth accounts are blocked from spending at adult-only sites or retailers. Keeps children safe when they’re out and about or shopping online.
Gambling block
All kids and teens under 18 have a gambling block on their debit cards. No transactions to merchants with the category Betting/Casino/Gambling are allowed. The block will switch off after the cardholder turns 18. Find out more
Parental Control feature
To access Parental Control, a parent or guardian must be a signatory on the child’s account. Parental Control is mandatory for children:
- Under 12 for a Bump savings account
- Under 14 for a Choice Youth everyday account.
Parental Control is optional for older children. Access levels can be changed in-branch by the child at any time.
In the Westpac App or Online Banking:
- Find your child’s account
- Select Family Hub
Card management controls
Kids as young as 8 can get a Debit Mastercard with a Choice Youth account. Temporarily lock or unlock your child's debit card anytime. Report it lost or stolen to order a new card if it can't be located.
In the Westpac App or Online Banking:
- Find your child’s account
- Select Family Hub
Controls on savings accounts
With a Bump savings accounts, parents or guardians can decide how much account access a child can have. They can choose to give View Only or View and Transact access. Access limits can be changed or removed at any time.
Parental notifications
Parents or guardians with third-party access can set up push notifications in the app. This helps keep track of unexpected activity or high spending. A notification is sent when money goes in or out of the child’s account. Notifications can be set up on Choice Youth and Bump Savings accounts.
Tip: Give your child’s accounts nicknames to distinguish them from your own. Learn how
- Make sure you have the latest version of the Westpac App.
- In the App, search Notifications and follow the prompts to set them up.
What’s a Push Notification?
Push Notifications are messages sent to your mobile phone. They help keep you updated by providing alerts about:
- Money moving in or out of your account (or an account you have third party access to)
- Important updates or reminders
- Tips or information about an account.
You can manage or set up Push Notifications in the Westpac App, Online Banking, or at a branch.
Double your $50 with us!
Open both a Westpac Choice Youth everyday account and an eligible savings account. Deposit at least $50 into your Choice everyday account within 10 days, and we’ll add $50 to your savings. Ends 20/04/2026. New customers only. T&Cs apply.
Youth bank accounts for kids and teens
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YOUTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT
Help your child save from birth and up with the Westpac Bump savings account. They’ll get bonus interest every month they grow their savings.
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YOUTH EVERYDAY ACCOUNT
Kids can manage their money with a Westpac Choice Youth everyday account. By linking a debit card, they can spend online and in-store.
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YOUTH BANK AND SAVE BUNDLE
Under 18? Get $50 on us!We've made it simple for you to set up all the bank accounts your child will need in one go. Open a Choice Youth everyday account when you open their Bump savings account.
Opening a youth account online
FOR A HELPING HAND WITH SAVINGS
LAYERS OF SCAM AND FRAUD PROTECTION
Frequently asked questions
A signatory is someone, such as parent, grandparent, or guardian, who can operate an account in branch. If the account holder is under 14, they are required to have a signatory on their account.
A third party is someone who has been granted access to an account in Online Banking. This person can see the account in their own Online Banking and depending on their permission level can either view the account only, or view and transact with the account. A third party may or may not be the same person as a signatory.
Access can be set up when an account is opened, or it can be added in branch.
For parents or guardians
Check and change who has third party access
You may wish to chat with the account holder about who else has access to their account and how setting up these controls can help keep their money safe.
How to check and change third party access in Online Banking on a PC or laptop:
1. In your child’s Online Banking, select the account you want to check
2. Select third party access
3. You’ll see a list of people who can access the account.
If the account holder is happy to have anyone’s access removed or the type of access changed:
4. Select the arrow next to the person’s name
5. Select Remove > Confirm
6. Use Edit to change the type of access they have.
Alternatively, you can visit us in branch or call us.
For kids 14 or over
How to check and change third party access in Online Banking on a PC or laptop:
1. Select the account you want to check
2. Select Third party access
3. You’ll see a list of people who can access you account.
If you're sure you want to remove anyone’s access any you're 14 or over:
4. Select the arrow next to the person’s name
5. Select Remove > Confirm
6. Use Edit if you want to change the type of access they have.
If you have more than one account, select Back to choose another one to check.
Under 14?
You'll need to visit a bank if you want to change access to an account.
- Sign into Online Banking
- Use search function to navigate to Manage account access
- Confirm the action.
Important:
- You can only remove or edit access for someone you have previously granted access to.
- Once access is removed, it cannot be reinstated online. To restore access, you will need to visit a branch. Please contact the branch to book an appointment with a banker.
Note: If you're unable to remove access via self serve, you can attend the branch or call us for assistance.
To have Parental Control, a parent, grandparent, or guardian must be an account signatory. As the account holder, the child must also be registered for:
- Westpac Online Banking
- Westpac Telephone Banking
to access their account online or over the phone.
Self-service Telephone Banking is not available and Parental Control is mandatory for children:
- Under 12 for a Bump savings account
- Under 14 for a Choice Youth everyday account.
Parental Control is optional for older children. Access levels can be changed in-branch by the child at any time.
Parental Control doesn't apply to a child’s access to funds in-branch. However, a signatory must authorise branch withdrawals where a child is under 14, and a debit card isn't available.
Upon opening a Westpac Choice Youth account, holders aged 14 and over will automatically receive a Debit Mastercard. Debit cards must be ordered separately for younger account holders aged 8 to 13.
1. Register for Online Banking
Both parents/guardians and the child (as the account holder) will need to be registered for Online Banking. Register now
2. Download the Westpac App
Parents/guardians should download the Westpac App to order the card on the child's behalf and access their child's card controls. Get the Westpac App
3. Order a new Debit Card
Parents/guardians with third party access to a child's account can order the debit card by signing into the Westpac App, using their Online Banking, not the child's:
- Search for and then tap Family Hub
- Find the child's Westpac Choice Youth account
- Order Debit Mastercard.
4. Activate Debit Card
Upon receipt of the card, the child must sign in to Online Banking using their Customer ID and password to activate it. If you'd prefer your child not use Online Banking, the card can be activated at any branch.
You can only request third party access to an account by visiting us in branch. Remember to bring your ID documents, your child’s ID documents, and their 8-digit customer ID. If you aren’t a signatory to the account, you’ll need approval from a signatory if the child is under the age of 14.
Once you’re set up, you’ll be able to view their account in your own Online Banking or Westpac App.
If a Choice account is shared, the under 14 account holder can’t make BPAY payments or send money overseas until they turn 14. Once they’re 14 or older, they can make these payments.
Everyone who has access to a joint Choice Youth account can get Push Notifications, no matter how old they are.
Help when you need it
Things you should know
Before making a decision about any of our products or services, please read all the terms and conditions and consider whether the product or service is right for you. Fees and charges apply and may change.
Protected by the Financial Claims Scheme (FCS): If you have a Westpac deposit account, in certain circumstances you may be entitled to a payment under the FCS. Payments under the FCS are limited for each customer. You can find out more information from the APRA website at www.fcs.gov.au.
For more information about each bank account and the specific product disclosures, please go to Westpac Choice Youth or Westpac Bump savings.
Mastercard® is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
BPAY® is a registered trademark of BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518.