Best Westpac Transaction Accounts
Westpac Choice
- Standard Variable Rate 2.5% p.a.
Recommended for cash servicing and legacy banking – Overall a fantastic transaction account, with good service (if a little slow at times) when it's needed, and much improved daily banking tools. If… Read more
you're after a transaction account with great access to cash handling and in-person customer service, this is probably the best option available today.
Customer service wise, branches are available throughout the week nationwide, all with a Smart ATM, and many with 24/7 ATMs for cash servicing. Staff are usually friendly so long as you respect them, and reasonably quiet if visiting off peak. Do note the phone line is unavailable for general enquiries on weekends. Live chat is also available, although I couldn't get this to work in-app (one of many bugs found).
If you're using cash a decent amount, you can use ATMx and Precinct ATMs for free (in addition to Westpac and St George/Bank of Melbourne/BankSA ATMs and other banks), and deposit at any of Westpac Group's branches or Smart ATMs, as well as post offices.
The app can be slow and some features are just completely broken, but most things work very well and I much prefer Westpac's budgeting features over most, if not all, other banking apps' budgeting features. Online banking is also available, although it hasn't been updated with newer features like Osko payments or budgeting.
The account is free under age 30 or if you meet other requirements, and a Debit MasterCard is included - if you don't meet the requirements and want most of the same features, consider St George/Bank of Melbourne/BankSA as an alternative, as it does mostly the same thing for free at all times.