Key takeaways
- $0 monthly fees for eligible students
- Open your account before you arrive in Australia
- Get an instant digital card for immediate access
- Exclusive Optus mobile deal for new customers
- Language support to help you bank with confidence
Why Westpac Choice?
Starting life in a new country comes with a lot to organise. Your banking shouldn’t be one of them. Westpac helps make it easy for international students to get set up, manage money, and feel supported from day one.
- Open your everyday bank account in just a few minutes, if you’re arriving in Australia within 14 days, so it’s ready when you land.
- Enjoy $0 monthly account fees (usually $5) if you’re under 41 or a full-time student
- No withdrawal fees at Westpac and partner ATMs
- Get instant access to your money with a digital debit card you can add to your mobile wallet, so you can pay bills, and start spending straight away.
- Access our language support services, including translation help, multilingual ATMs, and Easy English guides so you can bank in your own language.
- Stay connected with discounted data and international calls with our exclusive Optus prepaid SIM mobile deal.
Get outstanding value with an award-winning account
Westpac Choice transaction account with a Debit Mastercard® voted:
- Canstar's Outstanding Value for Transaction Accounts 2024-2026
- WeMoney Winner 2025 for Best Quality - Transaction Accounts
You could earn
$50
Cashback with a new account
If you open a new Westpac Choice everyday account and an eligible savings account between 9 June and 30 September 2026, here’s how you could get $50:
- Spend at least $50 on your debit card within 15 days of opening on eligible purchases
- You must not have held any Westpac transaction account or savings account in the last 2 years
- Accounts must be in your name only (no joint accounts).
See all FAQs
This promotion runs from 9 June 2026 to 30 September 2026.
To be eligible you must:
- 18+ and have not held any transaction account or savings accounts with Westpac in the last 2 years from the date the last transaction or savings account closure.
- Open a new Westpac Choice account AND, either a Westpac Life OR Westpac eSaver. Accounts must be in the same name, activated and ready to use.
- Make eligible purchases totalling at least $50 using the debit card linked to your Westpac Choice account within 15 calendar days of the first account being opened. Transaction(s) must be processed (not pending) by the end of the 15th day.
- Transaction(s) must be customer-initiated and does not include interest payments, direct debits or internal transfers between your Westpac accounts.
- Keep the account open for a minimum of 60 days after you meet all other eligibility criteria.
- Hold the accounts in one name only. These accounts cannot be joint accounts.
If you meet the above:
- You're eligible for a one-time $50 payment.
- The $50 payment will be made to your Westpac Life or Westpac eSaver account within 60 days of you meeting all Terms and Conditions and eligibility criteria.
- If you open more than one Westpac Life or Westpac eSaver account, the $50 payment will only be made once into the first savings account opened and activated.
- This promotion may be varied or withdrawn at any time. It is not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated.$0
Monthly and withdrawal fees
- No Account-Keeping Fees for at least 12 months. Then, for deposits of $2,000 a month or eligible customers (details in fees section)
- No cash withdrawal fees from Westpac and select partner ATMs
- Unlimited transactions and account enquiries.
GET YOUR MOBILE SORTED WITH OPTUS
Just
The choice for easy day-to-day banking and more
Instant Digital Card®
Before you get your Debit Mastercard® use the digital version in the Westpac App. Then, add it to your mobile wallet.
Instant payments
Get PayID® payments instantly with just your mobile number. You can also tap and go using your eligible mobile or your Debit Mastercard.
Banking on the go
Skip the trip to the branch and manage your banking when it suits you by using the Westpac App.
Get exclusive offers
Make full use of our customer-only discounts and cashback offers, including special ShopBack deals.
We speak your language
If English is not your first language, we offer:
- Language help and translation services
- ATMs with 9 languages other than English
- Easy English Guides for banking and other services.
Smart Budgeting and savings tools
Secure your account with SafeBlock
How to open a bank account in Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can start the process to open a Westpac Choice bank account 14 days before you arrive in Australia. You can start your application online, set up your account details, and get a Customer ID. Once you arrive, you’ll need to verify your identity to fully activate your account.
It depends on the account. Westpac Choice comes with no monthly account fees as long as you’re under 41 or a full-time tertiary student. Other fees may apply.
be helpful to look for bank accounts with low or no monthly fees, fee-free ATM access, and robust mobile apps. Many banks in Australia offer fee waivers for international students under a certain age or those who maintain a minimum balance. For example, Westpac offers a $0 account-keeping fee (usually $5) for full-time tertiary students or those under 41 on the Westpac Choice account.
In Australia, there are transaction accounts (also called everyday accounts), and savings accounts. Transaction accounts are used for daily banking and often come with debit cards for cash withdrawals and online shopping. Savings accounts help you earn interest over time and are not typically used for daily banking.
To open a bank account in Australia with Westpac, you’ll typically need identification documents such as your passport. Check our full list of identification documents (PDF 657KB). If you open your account before arriving, you’ll still need to present your ID in person once you’re in Australia to verify your identity.
International students may be able to apply for a credit card in Australia, depending on your financial circumstances. You may need to show proof of income, residency status, or credit history. Credit criteria, T&Cs apply.
Link your Choice account with a Westpac eSaver savings account
Enjoy a sweet, total introductory interest rate of up to 5.35% p.a on your savings for the first 5 months. Get the breathing space to explore your new life in Australia.
Not yet in Australia?
If you’re overseas but will arrive in Australia within 14 days, you might be able to start your account set up. This means you’ll get your Customer ID and Online Banking profile now. Then, once you arrive in Australia, verify your identity to activate your account.
Account fees
| Standard fees (fees may change) | Amount |
|---|---|
|
Pay no Account-Keeping Fee for the first 12 months (usually $5 per month)
After this, the fee will continue to be waived for customers under the age of 41 or full-time tertiary students. |
$0 |
| Standard fees (fees may change) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Online Banking withdrawal (including Mobile Banking) | $0 |
| Telephone Banking withdrawal (self service) | $0 |
| Telephone Banking withdrawal (staff assisted) | $0 |
| Branch staff assisted withdrawal | $0 |
| Direct Debit | $0 |
| Point of Sale (POS) transactions | $0 |
| ATM cash withdrawals in Australia (ATM providers may charge a fee – watch out for that!) | $0 |
| Overdrawn Fee (for more information: Overdraw Preference Feature) | $15 |
| Unarranged Lending Rate (ULR) is a debit interest rate charged to a transaction account if it becomes overdrawn without arrangement | 15.01% p.a. |
| Overseas Withdrawal Fee from a Global Alliance Partner ATM (for more information on Global Alliance Partners: Accessing your accounts overseas) | $0 |
| Overseas Withdrawal Fee from a non-Global Alliance Partner ATM | $5 |
| Transactions made in foreign currency, and the merchant or financial institution is located outside Australia | 3% of the AUD transaction amount |
| Transactions made in foreign currency, and the merchant or financial institution is located in Australia | 2.2% of the AUD transaction amount |
Other fees and charges may apply. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions (PDF 749KB)
This account doesn't earn interest. If you'd like to earn interest, you can open a savings account at the same time. Find out how
Help when you need it
Things you should know
Westpac Debit Mastercard® Terms and Conditions (PDF 396KB)
Online Banking Terms and Conditions (PDF 814KB)
Find out what information you need to provide to become a customer (PDF 657KB)
This information is general in nature and has been prepared without taking your personal objectives, circumstances and needs and into account. You should consider the appropriateness of the information to your own circumstances and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.
#The $50 'Double U' Cashback Promotion Terms and Conditions
This promotion runs from 1 February 2026 to 8 June 2026.
Eligibility criteria:
You must:
- Not have held any transaction account or savings accounts with Westpac in the last 2 years (applies to both account holders for joint accounts)
- Open a new Westpac Choice account AND, either a Westpac Life (18+) OR Westpac Bump (U18) OR Westpac eSaver. Accounts must be in the same name, and active and ready to use.
- Open both accounts and deposit $50 or more into your Westpac Choice transaction account within 10 calendar days. Deposit(s) must be processed (not pending) by the 10th day.
- Deposit must be customer-initiated and does not include interest payments into the account.
- Keep the account open for a minimum of 60 days after your eligible deposit.
If you meet the above:
- You're eligible for a one-time $50 payment.
- The $50 payment will be made to your Westpac Life or Westpac Bump or Westpac eSaver account within 60 days of you meeting all Terms and Conditions and eligibility criteria.
- If you open more than one Westpac Life or Westpac Bump or Westpac eSaver account, the $50 cashback will be made to one account only. It will be the first savings account opened and active.
- Joint accounts not eligible. This promotion may be varied or withdrawn at any time. It is not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated.
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.
PayID® is a registered trademark of NPP Australia Limited and any use of its marks by Westpac is under license.
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Westpac's retail deposit taking banking operations do not extend to other countries except where licenced to do so. This information is intended for individuals planning to migrate to Australia and Westpac is not soliciting retail deposits under foreign schemes. Deposits will be taken after you move to Australia and under the supervision of Australian regulators, not those of your current country of residence.