Product details
This everyday transaction account has no monthly account keeping fee when you deposit $2,000 a month. There's also no account fees for students and customers aged under 21.
You can access over 3,000 Westpac Group ATMs in Australia for free along with 50,000 global ATMs that are part of Westpac’s Global ATM alliance. You can open an account online in less than 5 minutes.
Don't pay any ATM fees when you withdraw money from an ATM that belongs to one of Westpac's Global partners (see below for the list).
- Product Name
- Westpac Choice
- Monthly Account Fee
- $5
- Debit Card Access
- Mastercard
- ATM Withdrawal Fee
- $0
- Interest Rate p.a.
- 0.00%
- Details
- $0 account keeping fees if you deposit at least $2,000 per month. Otherwise, a $5 monthly fee applies. Unlimited free withdrawals at St.George, Westpac, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA ATMs.
- Joint Application
- Yes
- Fee Free Deposit p.m.
- $2,000
- Overseas ATM Withdrawal Fee
- $5
- Overseas Eftpos Fee
- 3%
- Phone Banking
- Yes
- Fees
- $5
- Internet Banking
- Yes
What are the features of the Westpac Choice transaction account?
When looking into a transaction account that helps you manage your money, consider the following features that the Westpac Choice has to offer you:
Special offer: $40 cash bonus
New customers who open a new Westpac Choice Account before 16 January 2020, deposit $500 or more and make at least five eligible purchases within the first 30 days after opening the account will receive a $40 cash bonus. Eligible purchases include purchases made in-store or online plus PayPass and Google Pay transactions. T&C's apply.
$0 Account keeping fee if you deposit $2,000 per month
If you are able to deposit at least $2,000 a month into your account (for example your salary), the $5 monthly service fee will not be charged to your account.
No account fees for students and customers under 21
The account keeping fee is waived for customers under the age of 21, full-time tertiary students, and individuals who hold an Australian Pensioner Concession or Health Care Card. Expatriate and migrant customers will have the fee waived for the first year that the account is open.
Linked Debit Mastercard or Handycard
A Debit Mastercard is issued to all Choice account holders over the age of 16. With this card, purchases can be made all over the world in stores, online and over the phone. The card comes with PayPass so you can make tap-and-go purchases without entering your PIN for transactions under $100.
Customers under the age of 16 can use a Handycard, which allows you to withdraw cash from Westpac ATMs, however does not allow for online purchases.
Free ATM withdrawals within the large Westpac ATM network
You can make unlimited withdrawals using your Debit Mastercard from any Westpac ATM in Australia.
No foreign ATM withdrawal fee when using one of 50,000 Global Alliance ATMs
Westpac is a part of the Global ATM alliance which allows you to make cash withdrawals from certain banks overseas without being charged an ATM fee. If you do use an ATM that is not a part of the alliance, you will be charged $5 per transaction plus other fees and charges may be added to your account from the issuing bank.
Global ATM partners
| Country | ATM Network |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | Westpac NZ |
| Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji | Westpac Pacific Banking |
| Italy, France | BNP Paribas |
| Poland, Spain, Germany | Deutsche Bank |
| Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Seychelles, Mauritius, Kenya, Ghana, Botswana | Barclays Bank |
| UK, Portugal and Gibraltar | Barclays Bank |
| South Africa | ABSA |
| USA | Bank of America |
| Ukraine | Ukrsibbank |
| China | Bank of Nanjing |
| Singapore | DBS, POSB |
| Canada, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Caribbean, Jamaica | Scotiabank |
Online, tablet and mobile banking available
You can also get cash from Westpac ATMs by using a cash code that is issued to you through mobile banking. This option limits you to withdrawals of up to $500 daily or $1,000 a week.
Mortgage interest offset available
If you are a home loan customer with a Westpac Rocket Repay home loan or Rocket Investment loan, the balance of your Choice account can offset the balance of your home loan. Interest is then applied to your mortgage payment based on the adjusted amount, lowering the amount due to Westpac.
Foreign currency conversion
If you make a transaction in a foreign currency and the merchant accepting the Debit Mastercard is located outside of Australia, you will be charged 3.00% of the Australian dollar amount. This includes using your card overseas and also shopping online from overseas merchants.
Get cash without your debit card
Westpac's Cardless Cash feature lets you withdraw money without your debit card from Westpac-branded ATMs. All you need to do is generate a code from the Westpac Mobile Banking app.
Tap and Pay with your Android phone
Pay in-store with your compatible Samsung smartphone using Tap and Pay. Hold your phone to the EFTPOS reader to make purchases under $100 in a tap.
Pros
- No ATM fees when using St.George / Westpac / BankSA / Bank of Melbourne ATMs in Australia
- Access 50,000+ ATMs globally for free
- No monthly service fee if you deposit a minimum of $2,000 per month
- No account fees for students and under 21s
Cons
- Must deposit $2,000 to get no monthly service fee
- Foreign transaction fees apply
Open a Westpac Choice account in less than 3 minutes
When after comparing the features of various transaction accounts you find that the Westpac Choice is the right choice for you, you can apply online by clicking ‘Go to Site’.
Eligibility to apply online
Before you begin to fill out the application make sure that you are able to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Your age. In order to be considered for this account, an applicant must be at least 12 years of age. Keep in mind that if you are under 16, you will not be issued a debit Mastercard. Instead, you will need to apply for the Handycard. This card will be able to provide you with access to your money.
- Residency. You must be an Australian resident currently living in Australia with a valid residential address.
- Mobile number. Westpac will send an account activation code to your mobile phone once they have opened your account.
Documents for your online application
If you are eligible to apply for the Choice account, continue on to the secure application page with the following documentation close by to refer to:
- Identification documents. Westpac will attempt to verify your identity electronically by using the information from one of the following documents; your passport, driver’s licence, Medicare card or birth certificate. If Westpac is unable to verify your identity, you may need to have this step finished at a local branch.
- Personal information. Some of your personal details will need to be provided, such as your full name, date of birth and your current Australian address.
- Account information. If you intend on using this account as a 100% offset for your home loan, have your customer or account number available.
What happens after I submit the application?
Once you have submitted your online application to Westpac, they will issue you an activation code so that you may begin making your deposits. The debit Mastercard will be sent by post to the address you provided and will be ready for use once you activate it.
Can you purchase online using the handycard?
Hi Lincoln,
Thank you for contacting Finder.
Unfortunately, you cannot make online purchases using the handycard but you can withdraw cash from Westpac’s ATM machines. Kindly take note that the handycard is being issued to account holders who are 16 years old and below.
I hope this helps.
Please do not hesitate to reach out again to us if you have additional questions.
Cheers,
Ash
Most of the banks mentioned above don’t charge foreign ATM withdrawal fee when using a Global Alliance ATM. In Germany the Global ATM Alliance partner is Deutsche Bank. Does that mean that I can use only ATM branded Deutsche Bank or also those of their subsidiary Postbank?
Thanks
Hello Leon!
The Westpac Global ATM Alliance page indicates that only Deutsche Bank is connected in Germany.
You may want to verify this with Westpac directly.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jonathan
I am planning to travel to Melbourne for holidays about 2 months . I am worry to carry cash on hand . I wanna know which is the best bank me as a foreigners should choose to avoid the fees and charges on basic daily transactions ( cash withdrawal , money transfer ) . Or which bank provide the lesser charge on those transaction ?
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for your question.
As a foreigner in Australia, there are actually everyday transaction accounts that are available for you. You can open or apply for an account when you arrive. You can find on this page – https://www.finder.com.au/foreigners-open-a-bank-account-in-australia what are these banks and the guide on how you can apply.
Please click on the name of the transaction account you are interested in to know more about the features of the account including fees and rates.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
I am about to leave on a four month tour of Europe and the United Kingdom and was wondering which of the debit cards would be best to use for cash withdrawals and card payments.
I was looking at Citibank on this site but they have no branch atms in Western Europe and only three in United Kingdom.
They may still be the best but I am a bit confused on which one to choose.
Thanks
Hi Sarberz,
Thank you for your inquiry. As finder.com.au is a comparative financial service, we’re unable to suggest or recommend one specific travel money card to our users as the best option depends ultimately on your own financial situation, travel plans and spending habits.
Nonetheless, you may compare your travel money card options on this page. To check the fees and rates of the card, simply click on the name of the card so that you’d be redirected to its review page.
As for the Citibank travel card, if you’re referring to the Citibank Plus Transaction account, it has actually no fees for foreign transactions or ATM withdrawals. Although you’ll be charged third party ATM operator fees, which Citibank does not have control.
Hope this has helped.
Cheers,
May
Can I get a mastercard debit card from Westpac, I am on a pension and I need it so that I don’t incur the booking fee when I buy online.
Hi Faye,
Thanks for your question.
Yes, you’ll receive a MasterCard when you open a Westpac Choice transaction account. It should arrive in the mail within 1-2 weeks of opening the account.
Hope this helps.
what is the least expensive way to pay a dental bill in Thailand the amount will be approx. $14,500.00
Thanks
Hi Claire,
Thanks for your question.
You may want to consider an international money transfer – you can compare them here.
Hope this helps.