Explaining your credit card application

What type of documents are acceptable for assessing income?

See this list of Acceptable Income Documents (PDF 522KB)

What we consider when assessing credit card applications

Our responsible lending obligations require us to evaluate your financial position and assess that you'd be able to meet your financial obligations under the credit card contract without substantial hardship.

Each application is different and is considered on its own merits. There is not always a single reason for our approval or decline decision, but may be a combination of factors, including:

• Information provided on the application, such as your employment type and history
• Your credit report (held with an independent credit reporting body), which gives us a clearer picture of you and your financial history
• Any previous/current account history you have with us
• Your ability to service the credit card based on your overall financial position.

Decline reasons explained

If your application has been declined, it will usually be for one or more of the following reasons:

• Information on your personal credit report (held with either Veda Advantage or Dun & Bradstreet, which are 2 credit reporting bodies that collect and provide information about people’s credit history)
• Your lending history with Westpac (e.g. past or current Westpac accounts that have been overdrawn or out of order)
• In considering your overall financial position, there was concern you couldn’t afford this product at this time (we're legally obliged to ensure you're able to afford the products you apply for without substantial hardship)
• You are not over 18 years of age, which is a legal requirement of being a credit card account holder
• You are not an Australian Permanent Resident, or the overseas applicant criteria has not been met.

Checking your credit report

We will let you know if we've declined your application wholly or in part because of information from your credit report. You can contact the credit reporting body directly to obtain a copy of your report.

Just have your identification details ready and contact:

• Visit Veda Advantage or call their Public Enquiries on 1300 762 207
• Visit Dun & Bradstreet or call their Public Access Centre on 13 23 33.

Next steps if your application is declined

Despite being unsuccessful for a credit card, as long as you are over 18 and have an Australian residential address, you are eligible for a Westpac Debit MasterCard®.

It has many of the same benefits as a credit card, but you access your own money from a linked Westpac day to day or savings account¹ plus:

• Make purchases online, over the phone and overseas, for everything from shopping to paying your household bills
• Be protected with the Falcon™ detection system, the same added security you'd get with a credit card.

For more details or to apply, call 132 032 anytime or visit Westpac Debit MasterCard®.

Like some help managing finances?

Westpac Assist is a personalised service specialising in finding solutions for customers who believe they'll have trouble meeting financial obligations in the near future, or those who've already fallen into arrears.

If you are a Westpac customer and feel this free service could be beneficial, simply call Westpac Assist on 1800 067 497 (overseas +61 8 8177 6184):

• 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, or
• Saturday 9am-5pm (Sydney time).

Still have questions?

Please feel free to call us on 1300 366 867, Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm, Saturday 9am to 2.30pm (Sydney time).

If you’d like us to look at your application again, then we’ll ask you to give us some extra information we don’t already know.

If you feel your situation has changed (e.g. you can show records of additional income, or reduced debt) and you would like to apply again in a few months, we would be happy to review your new application.