AML identification - Personal and sole traders

Introduction

What information do I need to provide when opening an account with Westpac?

When opening a bank account in Australia you are required to provide personal identification (to prove you are who you say you are) such as your drivers licence, passport or birth certificate.

How do I complete my personal identification check for my new Westpac bank account?

You will need to show documents from the table below, in person, at a Westpac branch.

My account has been opened at a branch that's not easy for me to get to. Can I complete my personal identification check at another Westpac branch?

It is always best to complete your personal identification check at the branch where your account is held, however, we understand this is not always possible.

If you do visit another branch to complete your personal identification, you will need to have the Welcome Letter or Welcome Email we send you and allow a little extra time at the branch because they will have to get the bank account application you completed faxed over.

Do I need to make an appointment to complete my personal identification?

Our branches can sometimes be busy, particularly at lunch time. For this reason we recommend you make an appointment. The number of your branch is shown in the Welcome Letter or, if you received a Welcome Email, use the Find a Branch or ATM tool and enter your account 6 digit BSB number to obtain the branch contact details.

What are the acceptable documents in Westpac's Customer Identification Standards for a personal customer or sole trader?

• You must show at least 2 original documents from Table A or Table B (certified copies will only be acceptable as set out in "How can I present my identification if I cannot visit the bank in person?")
• At least 1 document must be a primary identification document from Table A
• The combination of documents you show must contain your full name, residential address and date of birth. For example, 1 document may contain your full name and date of birth while a second document may show your name and address. So this combination of 2 documents will meet our identification standards
• All documents must be current unless specified otherwise
• If any document is written in a language other than English, you must provide an English translation prepared by an accredited translator.
• A request for each of the identity document(s) you have provided may be submitted via a third party provider to verify your identity information with the record held by the relevant government issuing agency. This process will not impact your credit record unless your request is part of an application for credit in Australia.

Table A - Primary identification document

• Birth certificate – Australian (full birth certificate or extract birth certificate issued by State/Territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages)
• Birth certificate – Foreign (issued by a foreign government, the United Nations or an agency of the United Nations; must be a full birth certificate
• NSW birth card*
• Citizenship certificate – Australian
• Citizenship certificate – Foreign (issued by a foreign government)
• Driver's licence – Australian*
• Learner's driver's licence – Australian*
• Passport – Australian (can either be current or expired within the last 2 years; must not be cancelled, defaced or mutilated)*
• Passport – Foreign (issued by a foreign government, the United Nations or an agency of the United Nations; must not be cancelled, defaced or mutilated)*
• Travel document – Foreign (issued by a foreign government, the United Nations or an agency of the United Nations)*
• Boat licence – Australian*
• Taxi licence – Australian*
• Pension card – Centrelink
• Pension card – Department of Veterans' Affairs
• KEYPASS photo ID card*
• 18+ Proof of age card*
• National identity card (issued by a foreign government, the United Nations or an agency of the United Nations)*
• NSW RTA photo card or Proof of age card*

* Must contain photograph and signature

 

Table B - Secondary identification document

• Driver's licence – Foreign*
• Security guard's licence*
• Shooter's/firearms licence*
• Blind Citizens Australia ID card*
• Multiple Sclerosis Society photo ID card*
• Public Service employee ID card – Australian*
• Student ID card – Australian higher education (TAFE or University)*
• Working With Children check card (Blue card) QLD, VIC, WA*
• Australian Taxation Office (ATO) notice issued within the last 12 months which shows your name and residential address
• Financial benefits notice issued by a Commonwealth, State or Territory government issued within the last 12 months which shows your name and residential address (e.g. a notice from Centrelink)
• Financial institution passbook (Australian) which must be current and have a black light signature
• Utilities notice issued by a local government or utilities provider within the last 3 months which shows your name and residential address
• Health care card – Centrelink
• Health care card – Department of Veterans' Affairs
• Marriage certificate – Australian
• Medicare card
• Commonwealth seniors health card or State seniors card

* Must contain photograph and signature