Westpac Group
About Westpac Group
Applications for our 2024 Institutional Banking Graduate Programs will open on Monday, 6 March 2023.
Overview
Westpac is Australia’s oldest bank and company, one of four major banking organisations in Australia and one of the largest banks in New Zealand.
Locations
In Australia
The Westpac Group head office is based in Sydney, Australia.
Through our unique portfolio of brands comprising Westpac, St.George, Bank of Melbourne, BankSA, BT and RAMS we support and serve over 13.9 million customers.
In New Zealand
Westpac New Zealand is based in Auckland.
New Zealand Banking operates under the Westpac New Zealand, Westpac Life New Zealand and BT New Zealand brands, with branches and agency sites and ATMs located across the country.
In Asia
Our Regional head office in Singapore supplemented by Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, gives our customers stronger relationships and deeper insights throughout Asia.
In the Pacific
Westpac Group is based in Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
We feel our role in the Pacific is much more than just providing banking services. In many cases, it's about:
- Being part of the stability and security of a sound financial system
- Playing an integral role in the local economy
- Contributing to the social and environmental well-being of Pacific Island communities.
In the United Kingdom
Westpac now operates in London as part of the Westpac Institutional Bank division, with a branch, Westpac Banking Corporation London Branch (WBCLB) and a UK bank subsidiary, Westpac Europe Limited (WEL).
Westpac Institutional Bank (WIB)
WIB delivers a broad range of financial products and services to commercial, corporate, institutional and government customers with connections to Australia and New Zealand. Customers are supported through branches and subsidiaries located in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Our Foundations
Westpac Foundation
Providing funding and programs to help social enterprises and community organisations take a fresh approach to complex social issues and create jobs and opportunities for those who need it most.
Westpac Scholars
Awarding 100 scholarships and fellowships every year, forever, to those individuals with the drive, vision and ambition to shape Australia.
St. George Foundation
Supporting organisations working to provide brighter futures for children in Australia who are experiencing physical, social or economic disadvantage.
Bank of Melbourne Foundation
Supporting local charities and programs that deliver sustainable benefits to Victorian communities.
BankSA Foundation
Backing local community programs to help people who need it most across South Australia and Northern Territory.
Westpac in the Community
In addition to our family of philanthropic foundations, Westpac is creating stronger communities through many other initiatives.
How Westpac Cares
At Westpac, you’ll be part of a group that is committed to building a sustainable future and encourages inclusion, diversity and community involvement.
Sustainability
Sustainability is about constantly challenging ourselves on ways to create the most meaningful economic, social and environmental impact in the areas that matter most to our customers, communities, employees and our business.
Inclusive Culture
When unique people work together they deliver extraordinary results.
Community Involvement
Helping people is what we do – and through our community programs, there are so many ways you can get involved and make a difference in the issues and causes important to you.
Recruitment Process
We know you're busy with life and uni, so we've tried to make the process as simple as we can.
Eligibility
Before you apply, make sure you meet our eligibility criteria!
Citizen or a Permanent Resident
To be eligible for our programs, you must be an Australian or New Zealand Citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident at the time of application.
The final year of studies or recently graduated
You must also be in the final year of your degree OR completed an Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree within the past three years.
Online Application
Your application will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and submit online.
You will need:
- a PDF or Word Version of your resume
- Academic transcripts (Unofficial transcripts are also fine.)
- Know which 2 programs you wish to be considered for
Can I apply for more than one business area?
You can only submit one application; however, you can submit a first and second preference for the Graduate business areas you are interested in.
Can I send a hard copy of my resume or email my resume directly to you instead of applying online?
No! All applications must be submitted online.
Will late applications be accepted?
No! Applications cannot be accepted after the closing date so it's best you get your application in early.
I'm currently working for the Westpac Group, but not on the Graduate Program. Is the process for me different?
The process remains the same, all applicants need to apply online and go through the same recruitment process. However, please ensure you apply through the internal profile so we can recognise your internal status.
Online Assessments
If your application has progressed during our screening process, you'll be invited to complete a series of online assessments. You'll receive an email detailing what you need to do and the specific deadlines - in some cases this may only be 48 hours. So, make sure you keep an eye out for your emails and remember to check your junk/spam folders.
Tip: Make sure you complete your assessments in the time frames specified, otherwise we won't be able to consider your application further.
Video Interview
If you advance to this stage, you'll be invited to complete a short, pre-recorded video interview. This will assist us to get to know more about your motivations as well as your ‘Uncommon Mind’. Video interviews are not live, but be prepared and remember that you cannot pause, stop or restart the interview.
Tip: If you have never completed a video interview before, it may be a good idea to get a feel for the process by recording yourself answering interview questions and then watching the replay to gauge your confidence, body language and ability to answer the question being asked.
What do I do if I have a technical problem with my application form?
If you have any technical difficulties, email us at graduate@westpac.com.au for assistance. We will respond to your email within regular business hours (9AM to 5PM AEST, Monday to Friday).
Assessment Centre
Once you have completed all these steps, the final stage of the selection process is, a virtual assessment centre. This will involve:
- a behavioural interview,
- a business-related case study and
- a group activity
You will have an opportunity to interact with our business representatives, so maximise this experience by asking questions and finding out if this is the right fit for you – it’s time to grill us too!
Tip: Research is important. Think about why you have applied and what you can bring to the role. It helps to show us your personality.
When will you hear from us?
So what happens now?
The hard part is over so don’t stress if you haven’t heard back from us, we are reviewing your application carefully and giving it a lot of consideration. Once your application has been reviewed, we will reach out to you as soon as possible!
Other commonly asked questions
Does Westpac Group assist successful graduates with relocation?
Yes, if you’re offered a role that needs you to move to Sydney, NSW, we’ll help coordinate your move and assist you financially. We have a relocation policy that will help successful graduates who need to relocate.
Will the graduate and intern salaries be competitive?
Each year, we review graduate and intern salaries against the marketplace to ensure that you are paid a competitive salary. We also offer a range of financial and lifestyle benefits and discounts and an employee share plan so you can invest in your own future.
How do I know if the degree I have completed is suitable for the program I am applying to?
Some people think because we’re a bank we only recruit candidates with Commerce/Finance degrees. We encourage graduates from all disciplines to consider our programs if they have a strong interest and passion for that business area. Please keep in mind, that it’s not all about your degree. We're looking to find well-rounded graduates whose values align with those of Westpac Group, are involved in the community, participate in extra-curricular activities and have some work experience.
For additional resources, please click on the following link: WG_Student_Application_Survival_Guide.pdf (westpac.com.au)
Remuneration & Career Growth
Our Graduate Program
We’re looking to fill our programs with original thinkers and innovators from all degrees of study.
When you start: You’ll start with us as a permanent employee in February. Your program will vary based on the business area where you choose to work. Explore the business area choices below to find out more.
Here are just some of the areas where your uncommon mind could thrive:
- Technology - become a game-changer, bringing our vision and strategy to life in roles such as system engineers, security, designers, architects or project managers.
- Innovative roles - dream, design and innovate next-generation digital experiences, including digital, service, product and interaction designers.
- Financial services - help improve the lives of our customers and make Australian businesses stronger including consumer banking, business banking and wealth management.
- Risk - help keep our customers, our clients and our group safe, in roles such as financial crime analyst, credit manager, cyber risk specialist or fraud specialist.
- Transformation - revolutionise how we help our customers in roles such as project manager, change manager or analyst.
- Westpac Institutional Bank - help corporations and institutions thrive in roles within Financial Markets or corporate banking.
- Specialist roles - be vital to our success in roles such as finance, HR, legal and compliance.
Throughout the year: Tailored training sessions build and strengthen your technical and soft skills - accelerating your personal and professional career development.
The day to day: You’ll complete a rotational program to help you to learn about different parts of your business area. It’s packed full of different roles, teams and project experiences.
Expect to contribute from day one and have an impact on the business.
Expect plenty of opportunities to get involved in grad life where you can build your networks and friendships with those you work with, including business leaders, project leads and program sponsors.
Expect to be able to give back. Join in numerous communities, volunteering and sustainability initiatives - rounding out your whole work life experience.
Why Join Us?
Our people are always our best advertisement for what is so special about working within Westpac Group. Hear how we’re creating an environment in which all our people can succeed.
Perks & Benefits
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Flexible working All roles at Westpac Group are open to consider flexible working arrangements, with potential options such as flexible hours and working remotely. |
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Leave to support lifestyle and wellbeing We offer 12 weeks of flexible lifestyle leave giving employees the option to take up to 12 weeks' paid leave each year, through Westpac Group’s purchased leave program, or 12 weeks' unpaid leave each year. A range of other leave benefits are also available for eligible employees including defence reserves leave, and two days of paid Culture, Lifestyle and Wellbeing Leave each year. |
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Volunteering We actively encourage and support our people to volunteer their time and skills to support the local community organisations and causes they are most passionate about. |
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Paid parental leave Employees who are the primary carer of their child are given 16 weeks’ paid parental and have the option to instead take 32 weeks’ leave at half pay. Employees who are the support carer are entitled to 4 weeks’ paid leave within the first month of the birth or adoption of their child. Parental leave may also be taken flexibly. In addition:
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Superannuation on parental leave Employees can apply for superannuation to be paid on up to two years' unpaid parental leave to help enhance the financial future of our working parents. |
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Gender transition Leave We offer up to 6 weeks’ paid leave and 1 year of unpaid leave for employees who are undergoing a gender transition or affirming their gender. |
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Sorry Business Leave Employees identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander can access 3 days’ paid Sorry Business leave to participate in Sorry Business cultural practices, in addition to our standard 3 days paid compassionate leave. |
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Domestic & Family Violence Support Employees experiencing domestic and family violence can access uncapped leave as well as advice and counselling, financial support and flexible work arrangements. We also offer employees 10 days paid leave if they are supporting a family member experiencing domestic and family violence. |
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Leading offerings to enhance your wellbeing We offer a range of special Westpac Group services including:
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Third Party Partner savings Our third party Employee Benefits Program is increasingly popular with employees and is accessible via a mobile-friendly portal, providing 24/7 access to great offers and discounts from well-known brands. With over 1.3 million logins over the past 12 months our employees clearly love the offerings. |
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Matching Gifts: matching employees' charitable donations Matching Gifts is one of our company’s best-loved community programs. Every dollar donated by our eligible employees to Australian-based, registered charities with Deductible Gift Recipient status (DGRs) is matched by Westpac Group. |
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Employee Action Groups Our Employee Action Groups (EAGs) support Westpac Group’s diverse and inclusive workplace culture. These employee-led networks bring passionate individuals together to advocate for and promote diverse communities both within and outside of the organisation. |
How our Grads feel about us
We reached out to a current group of Graduates in the Westpac Group Grad Program from a variety of degree disciplines and within different rotations, to ask them some burning questions.
Introducing our 2021 Grads:
Todd from Transformation, Rianna from Technology, Sahan from Risk and Thuy from Financial Markets & Treasury.
Why did you apply for a graduate role at Westpac Group, and why is your chosen business area?
Thuy: “I applied for FM&T because I wanted to challenge myself and try something new and exciting. What I love about the grad program is that you get to rotate through 4 completely different teams, so you are always learning and expanding your skills."
Todd: “I’m not a finance or business guy. I studied Arts and Science. When I reflected on what I wanted at the beginning of my career, I wanted to leverage the size of the company I worked for to gain experience in different fields, create a strong professional foundation and work with people I could respect. Choosing Transformation was the conduit to all of those things – it offers exposure to all areas of Westpac. I’m learning about fields like Change Management and Human Centred Design with great people, and everything we do has an impact on potentially millions of Australians (even better)."
So far, what has been the highlight of the graduate program?
Rianna: “Some of the highlights of the graduate program would have to be the various learning opportunities that I’ve been exposed to. They can take the form of volunteering, through different employee action groups or professionally within your rotation and teams. Another highlight would have to be establishing a good network within the organisation, making friends through the graduate program and learning from each other as well as having mentors who provide guidance as you begin to carve out your career.”
Sahan: “Being able to learn from and interact with people across numerous Risk divisions. The program is a great opportunity to learn from others, see what they do, and find your calling while getting to experience different parts of the bank.”
Thuy: “The highlight of the Westpac Program is definitely the constant support you receive from your managers and colleagues. As part of the FM&T program, you are assigned a grad manager, mentor, and buddy (who was a grad the year before you) to help you with any questions you may have / guide you through the year.”
What is one thing you love about Westpac Group?
Todd: “It’s belief in Service. Not just in the Group but more broadly. For myself, within 6 weeks of working at Westpac, I was able to take a fortnight of paid leave, no questions asked, to provide relief to flood victims as part of the Army Reserve. That’s just one example and there’s plenty more.”
Rianna: “One thing that I love about Westpac would have to be the people and sense of community. This has been a really important aspect of work as I’ve felt very supported throughout the opportunities and projects that I have been engaged in. Because of the supportive network I’ve established, it has also led to many different learning opportunities enabling me to pursue things that have both aided my personal development and enabled me to give back. ”
Sahan: “The culture. The guidance and advice I’ve received has been invaluable, and I’ve met some incredibly intelligent and funny people who have been extremely welcoming and supportive. You really are encouraged to bring new ideas to the table and your input is valued.”
Employee Truths
Manjula - hiring beyond banking
We hire beyond banking. Manjula explains why we’re always keen to hear from candidates from other industries and backgrounds.
Jessica - cross-skilling for growth
Learning new skills to help you take on greater responsibilities - Jess shares how she’s continued to develop since joining us 14 years ago.
Lucinda - leaders who listen to lenders
A culture of support, leaders who listen and guidance to help you grow - Lucinda shares her thoughts on what sets us apart.
Grow your Career with Us
If you want to work for an organisation that will nurture your talents and help you grow your career, you should be working with us. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce of amazing talent which means that when you work with us, you can be sure we'll commit ourselves to helping you take your career as far as possible.
Graduate Reviews
- Good culture, flexible work environment, excellent pay
- The internal culture is led by the people.
- Good people, high-performance mindset
- Great people, a big focus on wellbeing and employee health, accessibility of managers and mentors, ability to explore different parts of the organisation.
- The plethora of growth and development opportunities. Career development is a key focus through the program, with networking and connections developed organically as we move towards roll-off. Able to experience many facets of the bank, receive employee benefits and be provided with mentoring and buddy support.
- Culture, lots of support available (in regards to taking leave), access to training and education
- The high variance between teams when coming to the quality of work and value of grads
- Can feel quite big and slow sometimes, work can be siloed which slows down efficacy, old systems and processes that need updating.
- While I love the work that I do, it is a very large company that is not always fast enough to pick up new technologies or ways of working. So sometimes it can be frustrating seeing how slow change and transformation is adopted within the bank.
- No minuses - the most challenging thing is navigating the sheer size and scale of the organisation!
- There are quite a few restructures, so I feel a bit uncertain for other colleagues in the business.
- Remuneration
Jobs & Opportunities
- NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA