Business Foreign currency accounts

If you're eligible:

Apply now Apply now

How it works

You choose when your foreign currency is converted into AUD
You can see your foreign currency account next to your other accounts in Westpac Online Banking
Open online in less than 10 minutes for the 12 foreign currencies listed below. Other foreign currencies are available in branch or by speaking with your banker.

No monthly account keeping fee.

Accounts have an Australian BSB.

Overdrafts are also available (on application) in eligible foreign currencies.

Available currencies


USD - United States Dollars	GBP - Great British Pounds	JPY - Japanese Yen
ZAR - South African Rand	EUR - Euro	NOK - Norwegian Kroner
CAD - Canadian Dollars	DKK - Danish Kroner	SGD - Singapore Dollars
NZD - New Zealand Dollars	CNY - Chinese Yuan RMB	HKD - Hong Kong Dollars

SEK - Swedish Kronor, CHF – Swiss Francs & THB - Thailand Baht are also available, but can only be opened in branch. Please contact your nearest Westpac branch should you wish to open an account in one of these currencies.

Eligibility check

18+ years old
Australia-based individuals and businesses
Individuals, sole traders, company directors, or other people authorised to act on behalf of a business
You’ll need an eligible Westpac AUD transaction account to make an outward telegraphic transfer online from the Foreign Currency Account, and pay the fees incurred.

Who can apply online?

To open a Foreign Currency Account online you’ll need to:

Have online access to a Westpac AUD transaction account
Be an individual, sole trader or 1-director company.

Open now Open now

If you’re not eligible to apply online, open an account at any branch.

What to take if you’re applying in branch

For your security, we’re required to check your ID and other documents before you can open a business account.

Unsure of your business structure? Find out using your business registration.

Sole trader

ID options:

Driver licence or passport, OR
Birth/citizenship certificate PLUS Medicare card or recent utility bill in your/their name.

Check out other ID options (PDF 657KB)

Partnership

Make an appointment at any branch for an ID check for you and ALL other signatories of the account, plus a document check.

ID options:

Driver licence or passport, OR
Birth/citizenship certificate PLUS Medicare card or recent utility bill in your/their name.

Other details we need:

Your Customer ID (if you’re already with us)
Your ABN (if you have one)
The date you established the partnership and the state/territory
Foreign tax residency information (if any) including Foreign Tax Identification Number
The full names, addresses and dates of birth of anyone who’s a partner in the business (having a 25% or greater share in it), even if they don’t need access to this account.

Document(s) we’ll need to see:

If you’re a regulated partnership, current proof of membership of a professional association, PLUS
Partnership agreement, OR
Minutes from one of your meetings, OR
ATO notice less than 12 months old, OR
Certificate of registration of your business name.

All documents must be valid originals or certified copies, and ID must match the names listed on your partnership agreement. Check out other ID options (PDF 657KB).

Company

Make an appointment at any branch for an ID check for you and ALL other signatories of the account, plus a document check.

ID options:

Driver licence or passport, OR
Birth/citizenship certificate PLUS Medicare card or recent utility bill in your/their name.

Other details we need:

Your Customer ID (if you’re already with us)
Your ACN plus (if applicable) ABN
The date and state/territory of company registration/incorporation
If a regulated company, the name of the regulator and your licence number
If a non-listed but regulated company, the name of the regulator and your licence number
The full names, addresses and dates of birth of anyone who’s a ‘beneficial owner’ of the business (even if they don’t need access to this account). A beneficial owner is someone who has a 25% or greater share of a company, or has control of it (such as a CEO or MD).

A document we’ll need to see:

ASIC certificate of registration, OR
Publicly issued document from the past 12 months, such as audited accounts.

All documents must be valid originals or certified copies, and ID must be in the correct name(s). Check out other ID options (PDF 657KB).

Trust

Make an appointment at any branch for an ID check for you and ALL other signatories of the account, plus a document check.

ID options:

Driver licence or passport, OR
Birth/citizenship certificate PLUS Medicare card or recent utility bill in your/their name.

Other details we need:

Your Customer ID (if you’re already with us)
Details of the membership class (e.g. family members of named person, charitable purpose, etc.)
The full names, addresses and dates of birth of anyone who’s a ‘beneficial owner’ of the trust (having a 25% or greater share in it), even if they don’t need access to this account.

A document we’ll need to see:

Trust Deed (or a certified copy/extract) featuring names of the trust, trustees, beneficiaries and settlor(s), plus the execution page, OR
Settlement Deed or similar document, OR
ATO notice less than 12 months old, OR
A letter from an appropriate professional confirming the name of the trust and settlor(s).

All documents must be valid originals or certified copies, and ID must be in the correct name(s). Check out other ID options (PDF 657KB).

Association

Make an appointment at any branch for an ID check for you and ALL other signatories of the account, plus a document check.

ID options:

Driver licence or passport, OR
Birth/citizenship certificate PLUS Medicare card or recent utility bill in your/their name.

Other details we need:

Your Customer ID (if you’re already with us)
Your ABN (if you have one)
If incorporated, the identification number issued by state/territory or overseas body upon incorporation plus the date and state/territory/country of establishment
The full names, addresses and dates of birth of anyone who’s a ‘beneficial owner’ of the association (even if they don’t need access to this account). A beneficial owner is someone who has a 25% or greater share of an association, or has control of it (such as a CEO or MD).

A document we’ll need to see:

The constitution or rules of the association, OR
Minutes from one of your meetings, OR (if incorporated)
ASIC certificate of registration or equivalent from the relevant government body.

All documents must be valid originals or certified copies, and ID must be in the correct name(s). Check out other ID options (PDF 657KB).

Co-operative

Make an appointment at any branch for an ID check for you and ALL other signatories of the account, plus a document check.

ID options:

Driver licence or passport, OR
Birth/citizenship certificate PLUS Medicare card or recent utility bill in your/their name.

Other details we need:

Your Customer ID (if you’re already with us)
The date and state/territory/country of registration.
The full names, addresses and dates of birth of anyone who’s a ‘beneficial owner’ of the cooperative (even if they don’t need access to this account). A beneficial owner is someone who has a 25% or greater share of a co-operative, or has control of it (such as a CEO or MD).

A document we’ll need to see:

ASIC certificate of registration (if applicable), OR
Register maintained by the co-operative, OR
Minutes from one of your meetings.

All documents must be valid originals or certified copies, and ID must be in the correct name(s). Check out other ID options (PDF 657KB).

Fees
Credit interest rates
Unarranged overdraft interest rate
Arranged overdraft base rates
Deposit maintenance fees

Fees

No monthly account keeping fee

A deposit maintenance fee may be applied to your Foreign Currency Account.
Refer to the section on Fees and Charges in the Foreign Currency Account Terms and Conditions for more details.

Fees for Related Services	Amount
Outward telegraphic transfers in a foreign currency (via Westpac Online Banking except Corporate Online)	$0
Outward telegraphic transfers in a foreign currency (via Corporate Online)	$20
Outward telegraphic transfers in Australian dollars (via Westpac Online Banking)	$20
Outward telegraphic transfers in Australian dollars or foreign currency (via branch/over-the-counter)	$32
All inward telegraphic transfers in Australian dollars or foreign currency	$12

All amounts stated are in Australian Dollars. Telegraphic Transfer fees relate to both international and domestic. Other fees may apply. View the full list (PDF 156KB).

Use an existing eligible Australian dollar Westpac account or open a new bank account.

To make an outward telegraphic transfer from your Foreign Currency Account using Westpac Online Banking, you must have an eligible Westpac Australian dollar transaction account. You will not be able to proceed with the transaction on your Foreign Currency Account unless you have an eligible Westpac Australian dollar transaction account. Standard fees and charges may apply for this Westpac Australian dollar account.
This eligible Westpac Australian dollar account must contain a sufficient balance to pay the applicable telegraphic transfer fees.
If you don’t already have an eligible Westpac Australian dollar transaction account, you can open one online or by contacting us.

Credit interest rates

Interest paid by Westpac to you on positive balances (credit interest rates)

You can refer to the following table for current Foreign Currency Account credit interest rates. Interest is:

Calculated daily on each balance amount within the tiers stated below
Paid monthly in arrears on the last business day of each calendar month.

The Foreign Currency credit interest rates below are correct as at 13th November 2024.

Currency	Tier 1 balances	Tier 1 Interest Rates p.a.	Tier 2 balances	Tier 2 Interest Rates p.a.	Tier 3 Balances	Tier 3 Interest Rates p.a.
USD	0 - 5,000	0%	5,001 - 50,000	0%	over 50,000	0%
CAD	0 - 6,000	0%	6,001 - 60,000	0%	over 60,000	0%
CHF	0 - 6,000	0%	6,001 - 60,000	0%	over 60,000	0%
CNY	All balances	0%
DKK	0 - 30,000	0%	30,001 - 300,000	0%	over 300,000	0%
EUR	0 - 4,000	0%	4,001 - 40,000	0%	over 40,000	0%
GBP	0 - 3,000	0%	3,001 - 30,000	0%	over 30,000	0%
HKD	0 - 40,000	0%	40,001 - 400,000	0%	over 400,000	0%
JPY	0 - 535,000	0%	535,001 - 5,350,000	0%	over 5,350,000	0%
NOK	0 - 30,000	0%	30,001 - 300,000	0%	over 300,000	0%
NZD	0 - 7,000	0%	7,001 - 70,000	0%	over 70,000	0%
SEK	0 - 35,000	0%	35,001 - 350,000	0%	over 350,000	0%
SGD	0 - 8,500	0%	8,501 - 85,000	0%	over 85,000	0%
THB	0 - 200,000	0%	200,001 - 2,000,000	0%	over 2,000,000	0%
ZAR	All balances	0%

Unarranged overdraft interest rate

Interest paid by you to Westpac on negative balances (unarranged lending rate)

Unless you have an arranged business overdraft, you must keep your Foreign Currency Account in a positive balance. Any negative balance will be treated as an 'unarranged overdraft'. You may be charged debit interest at an Unarranged Lending Rate.

The current Unarranged Lending Rate is:

Variable Unarranged Lending Rate²	15.01% p.a.

Calculated daily on the negative balance of your Foreign Currency Account
Charged monthly in arrears on the last business day of each calendar month.

Arranged overdraft base rates

Interest charged to you by Westpac on overdrafts linked to your Foreign Currency Account (overdraft interest rates)

Interest is payable by you on overdrafts linked to your Foreign Currency Accounts. Interest is calculated daily on the negative balances of your Foreign Currency Account and paid monthly in arrears on the last business day of each calendar month.

As set in your overdraft agreement, the overdraft interest rate applicable to the overdraft comprises a base rate plus a margin agreed at the time the overdraft is established. You can refer to the following table for the current base rates. Overdraft base interest rates are variable and subject to change.

The Foreign Currency Account overdraft base interest rates below are correct as at 13th November 2024.

Currency	Overdraft base rate
CAD - Canadian Dollars	7.40%
CHF - Swiss Francs	2.95%
EUR - Euro	5.65%
GBP - British Pound	6.70%
HKD - Hong Kong Dollar	6.80%
JPY - Japanese Yen	2.20%
NOK - Norwegian Kroner	6.70%
NZD - New Zealand Dollar	7.55%
SEK - Swedish Kroner	6.70%
SGD - Singapore Dollar	4.05%
USD - United States Dollar	6.45%

Conditions, fees and lending criteria apply. More product details are available on request.

Overdrafts may be available to eligible business entities that intend to use the product for their short-term working capital needs.

Deposit maintenance fees

Fees paid by you to Westpac on positive balances (deposit maintenance fee) – wholesale clients only

Some foreign currencies may have very low or negative interest rates. If you hold an account in one of these currencies, and you are a wholesale client* as defined under the Corporations Act, a deposit maintenance fee may be applicable to your account. You should refer to the Foreign Currency Account terms and conditions for more information. In particular you should refer to the information and examples under the section headed “Fees and Charges” in the terms and conditions.

You can refer to the following table for current Foreign Currency Account deposit maintenance fees. The fee is calculated and applied daily on total account balance amount.

The Foreign Currency deposit maintenance fees below are correct as at 13th November 2024.

Currency	Tier 1	Tier 1 Rate	Tier 2	Tier 2 Rate
USD	All balances	0%
GBP	All balances	0%
HKD	All balances	0%
EUR	0 - 750,000	0%	over 750,000	0%
DKK	0 - 5,500,000	0%	over 5,500,000	0%
JPY	0 - 100,000,000	0%	over 100,000,000	0.17%
CHF	0 - 900,000	0%	over 900,000	0%
SEK	0 - 7,500,000	0%	over 7,500,000	0%

Deposit maintenance fees are only applicable to clients who are wholesale clients* as defined under the Corporations Act._{*If you are a wholesale client as defined under the Corporations Act, Westpac will notify you before applying a deposit maintenance fee for the first time to any one of your Foreign Currency Accounts. Subsequent notice will not be provided before Westpac charges a deposit management fee to any other foreign currency account you may have with Westpac.}

More information

For more information refer to the terms and conditions:

If you have any queries you can:

Contact any Westpac branch
Contact your Westpac Relationship Manager.

For further information on foreign currency overdraft base rates:

Contact your Westpac Relationship Manager.

For enquiries or full details of all terms and conditions:

Call the Westpac International Service Line on 131 032
Contact any Westpac branch.

Things you should know

Foreign Currency Accounts terms and conditions (PDF 431KB)

International Products and Services Standard Fees (PDF 156KB)

A Foreign Currency Account should not be used to speculate on foreign currencies or to conduct frequent trading of foreign currencies.

A Foreign Currency Account is not an account to assist with travel needs. It cannot be linked to a Travel Money card and you cannot access your Foreign Currency Account through an ATM, either within Australia or overseas.

You cannot withdraw or deposit foreign notes or coins into a Foreign Currency Account.

A foreign Currency Account should not be used for Controlled Monies purposes. A controlled money account is a specific account for professional service providers, e.g. law firms or real estate agents, to meet their legal obligation to hold money on behalf of their clients and governed by State/Territory based legislation.

Deposits held in Foreign Currency Accounts are not covered by the Australian Government’s Financial Claims Scheme.

Overdraft facilities are subject to application and Westpac's lending assessment criteria. Fees and charges may apply to the products and services listed. Full details of the Terms and Conditions for this product are available on request.

1. Online Banking Terms and Conditions apply.

2. The Unarranged Lending Rate was known as the Overdue Rate until 31 August 2018.

Business Foreign Currency Accounts

How it works

Available currencies

Eligibility check

Who can apply online?

What to take if you’re applying in branch

No monthly account keeping fee

Use an existing eligible Australian dollar Westpac account or open a new bank account.

Interest paid by Westpac to you on positive balances (credit interest rates)

Interest paid by you to Westpac on negative balances (unarranged lending rate)

Interest charged to you by Westpac on overdrafts linked to your Foreign Currency Account (overdraft interest rates)

Fees paid by you to Westpac on positive balances (deposit maintenance fee) – wholesale clients only

More information

Apply online

Apply at any branch

Things you should know