Studying in Australia and organising finances

If you’re heading to Australia to study, most likely you’ll need to sort out your banking for when you’re here. Read on to find out how Westpac can help with your everyday banking needs.

How can a Westpac Choice account help you manage your money while you’re studying?

A good everyday bank account should be more than just somewhere to keep your money – it should make your life easier by letting you manage your money on the go in a way that suits you. Enter Westpac Choice.

 

When you open a Westpac Choice account you’ll be able to take advantage of some cutting edge digital services that you can access from your smartphone. These include:

 

  • Cardless cash– withdraw cash using your phone from any Westpac, St.George, Bank of Melbourne or BankSA ATM1
  • Google Pay™  – make purchases with Google Pay™ by simply tapping your mobile at contactless terminals2
  • Pay to Mobile – a secure and convenient way to split a restaurant bill or send money to friends - all you need is their Australian mobile phone number and for them to have an Australian bank account to receive the funds. And if you’re a Westpac customer, you can use Pay to Mobile to receive payments which are paid straight into your nominate Westpac account.
  • Fingerprint login – sign in to Westpac Mobile banking simply and securely with just your fingerprint on compatible devices.

What else does Westpac Choice offer?

  • Transfer money with online banking from anywhere in the world
  • Debit Mastercard®3 – Use your Debit Mastercard to shop securely online, access cash at ATMs and use PayPass™ to tap and go on purchases under $100.
  • Pay no ATM withdrawal fee at any Westpac, St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA or at the Global ATM Alliance and partner ATMs4
  • Westpac Fraud Money Back Guarantee ensures that customers will be reimbursed for any unauthorised transactions.5
  • Unlimited electronic transactions.

Pay no account fees while you’re studying

If you’re a full time tertiary student studying in Australia, you’ll pay $0 Account-Keeping Fee on the Westpac Choice account for the duration of your studies in Australia (because you’ll have better things to spend your money on than bank fees). 6

How do I open a Westpac Choice account?

  • When you arrive in Australia you can open your bank account in just minutes online. Once you're done, you'll be able to begin transferring funds into your account right away.
  • Visit one of our friendly staff in a Westpac branch to verify your identity. You’ll then be able to access your account to make purchases or withdrawals.

Westpac Choice for international students

An everyday account packed full of features to help you bank with ease.

Find out more

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Things you should know

This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Consider its appropriateness to these factors before acting on it.
 

1. Get up to $500 per day and a maximum of $1000 per week , subject to account daily maximum limits. Only available at Westpac ATMs in Australia.

2. Google Pay: Read the Terms and Conditions (PDF 125KB) before making a decision and consider if it is right for you. Available for eligible cards. To use Google Pay you will need to use a compatible device with a supported operating system.

3. Customers must be 16 or older and have an Australian residential address to be eligible for a Debit MasterCard®. If you’re not eligible, you may be offered a Handycard to access your account.

4. Other fees may be payable. A 3% Foreign Transaction Fee applies to overseas debit or credit card withdrawals. A 3% cash advance fee applies to credit card withdrawals where the ‘credit’ option is selected. Refer to Global Alliance for a list of members.

5. Westpac Fraud Money Back Guarantee ensures that customers will be reimbursed for any unauthorised transactions provided that the customer has not contributed to the loss and contacted Westpac promptly. Refers to the cards’ terms and conditions for full details, including when a customer will be liable.

6. From November 2021, $0 account-keeping fee will automatically apply for as long as any account holder on the account is Under 30. This amends the Deposit accounts for personal and self-managed superannuation fund customers’ Terms & Conditions. $0 Account-Keeping Fee will also apply whilst you are a full-time tertiary student. You will need to have your full-time tertiary student ID verified at any Westpac branch to enjoy the $0 Account-Keeping Fee. Other fees and charges may apply. View the Terms and Conditions (PDF 1MB).

 

Android, Google Pay and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc.
 

Mastercard® is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.