In this digital age the times of queuing up at a bank (or even lining up at an ATM) has largely become a thing of the past for a lot of people. In fact banking has become less about somewhere you go and more about something you do on the go.
Depending on which bank you open an account with, here are some of the ways you’re likely to be able to access your money from an everyday bank account in Australia.
Most everyday bank accounts in Australia come with a linked debit card. This can used for shopping online, in stores or to get cash out at ATMS. If a restaurant or café accepts debit cards (as most do) you can use it to pay for your meal or coffee as well.
If you open a Westpac Choice everyday bank account, you’ll also get a linked Debit Mastercard® that has all the advantages of a Mastercard credit card – the big difference being you’ll be accessing your own money rather than money you’ll have to pay back. With a Debit Mastercard you can shop online or anywhere around the world the Mastercard is accepted.
Find out more about Debit Mastercard
You might know them better as money machines, cash machines or automated banking machines; Down Under they’re more commonly known as ATMs (Automated Teller Machines).
Your debit card can be used to get cash out from an ATM, but depending on which bank your account is with you may also be able to use your bank’s mobile banking app to get cash out without needing a card.
Find out more about Westpac’s Cardless Cash
EFTPOS is another Australian acronym you’ll hear and stands for Electronic Funds Transfer at Point Of Sale. Don’t worry– not many Aussies know what it stands for either.
EFTPOS lets you pay for goods or services using a credit or debit card at an EFTPOS terminal. In recent years contactless technology has become the norm with many EFTPOS terminals – this means you can pay by simply tapping your card to the terminal, without the need to enter a PIN.
With the advent of wearable payment devices and various other contactless technology methods, debit cards have become far more than just a piece of plastic.
Find out more about ways to pay on the go
One of the most straightforward ways to manage your banking is through online and mobile banking. Although the services offered online vary depending on the bank, some of the most common services include being able to:
Find out more about Westpac mobile banking apps
This information does not take into account your personal circumstances and is general in nature. It is intended as an overview only and it should not be considered a comprehensive statement on any matter or relied upon as such.
World Mastercard®, Mastercard® and the Mastercard brand mark are registered trademarks, and PayPass is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.