Banks in Western Australia
Western Australia has a resource-driven economy and a banking market served by the big four plus the state's own long-established bank, Bankwest.
How to use this page. Information is compiled from national banking regulators and deposit guarantee schemes. Banking rules and product availability change — always confirm details with the bank itself before acting. This is educational information, not a recommendation of any provider.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Western Australia (Western Australia) — West |
| Capital | Perth |
| Currency | AUD |
| Regulator | APRA / ASIC (national) |
| Deposit protection | 250,000 AUD per depositor, per ADI (Financial Claims Scheme) |
| Identity needed | TFN (Tax File Number) |
Banks based in or prominent in Western Australia
These institutions have a meaningful presence in the region, whether headquartered there or operating a substantial local network.
Bankwest
Regional presence
An Australian bank headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, and long operated as a subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank. It is an authorised deposit-taking institution supervised by APRA, with deposits protected under the Financial Claims Scheme. Bankwest built its franchise on low-fee accounts and a strong Western Australian presence before transitioning towards a digital-first model. It is supervised by APRA / ASIC.
Commonwealth Bank
Regional presence
The largest bank in Australia by assets, headquartered in Sydney, New South Wales. It is an authorised deposit-taking institution supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, and deposits are protected under the Financial Claims Scheme. It operates the country's largest branch and ATM network and the most widely used banking app, across retail, business and institutional banking.
RAC WA
Regional presence
RAC WA is a commercial bank in Australia. Our directory records its head office in Western Australia. Deposits are protected up to 250,000 AUD per depositor, per ADI through the Financial Claims Scheme. It operates as a commercial bank, taking deposits and lending to consumers and businesses. It is supervised by APRA / ASIC.
P&N Bank
Regional presence
P&N Bank is a commercial bank in Australia. Our directory records its head office in Western Australia. It is supervised by APRA / ASIC. Deposits are protected up to 250,000 AUD per depositor, per ADI through the Financial Claims Scheme. It operates as a commercial bank, taking deposits and lending to consumers and businesses.
Credit unions and mutuals in Western Australia
Member-owned institutions usually offer higher savings rates and lower fees than shareholder-owned banks. Membership eligibility varies, so check before applying.
P&N Bank
Member-owned
P&N Bank is a commercial bank in Australia. Our directory records its head office in Western Australia. It is supervised by APRA / ASIC. Deposits are protected up to 250,000 AUD per depositor, per ADI through the Financial Claims Scheme. It operates as a commercial bank, taking deposits and lending to consumers and businesses.
Police Bank WA
Member-owned
Police Bank WA is a commercial bank operating in Australia. Deposits are protected up to 250,000 AUD per depositor, per ADI through the Financial Claims Scheme. Our directory indexes it under Western Australia. It operates as a commercial bank, taking deposits and lending to consumers and businesses. It is supervised by APRA / ASIC.
Great Southern Bank
Member-owned
An Australian customer-owned bank headquartered in Brisbane, Queensland, formerly known as Credit Union Australia. It is an authorised deposit-taking institution supervised by APRA, with deposits protected under the Financial Claims Scheme. As a mutual, it has no external shareholders and operates branches across Australia alongside digital channels, offering home loans, savings and insurance. Our directory indexes it under Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Northern Territory, part of 6 States and territories indexed in total.
Available in Western Australia from anywhere
National banks and digital banks operate across Australia, so your region does not restrict access to them.
National banks
Commonwealth Bank
National bank
The largest bank in Australia by assets, headquartered in Sydney, New South Wales. It is an authorised deposit-taking institution supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, and deposits are protected under the Financial Claims Scheme. It operates the country's largest branch and ATM network and the most widely used banking app, across retail, business and institutional banking.
Westpac
National bank
One of Australia's four largest banks, headquartered in Sydney, New South Wales. It is an authorised deposit-taking institution supervised by APRA, and deposits are protected under the Financial Claims Scheme. Westpac operates across consumer, business and institutional banking, and its group includes the St George, BankSA and Bank of Melbourne brands alongside the main Westpac network.
ANZ
National bank
One of Australia's four largest banks, headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria. It acquired Suncorp Bank in 2024. It is an authorised deposit-taking institution supervised by APRA, and deposits are protected under the Financial Claims Scheme. ANZ operates in retail and commercial banking in Australia and New Zealand, and maintains an institutional banking presence across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Europe.
NAB
National bank
National Australia Bank, headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria, and one of the country's four largest banks. It is an authorised deposit-taking institution supervised by APRA, with deposits protected under the Financial Claims Scheme. NAB is weighted towards business and agribusiness lending alongside retail banking, and operates the ubank digital brand and a substantial UK and New Zealand presence.
Macquarie Bank
National bank
An Australian bank headquartered in Sydney, New South Wales, and the principal banking entity of Macquarie Group. It is an authorised deposit-taking institution supervised by APRA, with deposits protected under the Financial Claims Scheme. Macquarie is unusual among Australian banks in being weighted towards investment banking, asset management and infrastructure, with retail banking a smaller part of the group.
Digital banks
ubank
Digital
A digital bank brand owned by National Australia Bank and headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria. It operates under NAB's banking licence, so deposits are covered by the Financial Claims Scheme through the parent. ubank offers savings and everyday accounts with no branches and no monthly fees, and was formed from NAB's earlier UBank business combined with the 86 400 digital bank.
ING Australia
Digital
The Australian banking arm of the Dutch ING Group, headquartered in Sydney, New South Wales. It is an authorised deposit-taking institution supervised by APRA, with deposits protected under the Financial Claims Scheme. ING Australia operates without a branch network, offering savings accounts, everyday accounts, mortgages and personal loans through digital channels, and is known for fee waivers tied to card usage.
Up
Digital
A digital bank brand owned by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria. It operates under the parent's banking licence, so deposits are covered by the Financial Claims Scheme. Up offers an everyday account, savings accounts and a budgeting-focused app aimed at younger customers, and was developed in partnership with the technology firm Ferocia.
Judo Bank
Digital
An Australian bank headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria, focused on lending to small and medium-sized businesses. It is an authorised deposit-taking institution supervised by APRA, with deposits protected under the Financial Claims Scheme. Judo was founded by former National Australia Bank executives and holds one of the few new Australian banking licences issued in recent decades.
Great Southern Bank
Digital
An Australian customer-owned bank headquartered in Brisbane, Queensland, formerly known as Credit Union Australia. It is an authorised deposit-taking institution supervised by APRA, with deposits protected under the Financial Claims Scheme. As a mutual, it has no external shareholders and operates branches across Australia alongside digital channels, offering home loans, savings and insurance. Our directory indexes it under Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Northern Territory, part of 6 States and territories indexed in total.
Opening a bank account in Western Australia
The documents required are strict, even though the process itself is simple. Work through these in order.
- 1Provide primary ID — passport, birth certificate or citizenship certificate.
- 2Provide secondary ID — driver licence, Medicare card or utility bill.
- 3Supply your Tax File Number (TFN).
- 4Apply online or in branch.
- 5Fund the account to activate it.
Western Australia banking rules worth knowing
- All Australian banks are regulated nationally by APRA.
- The Financial Claims Scheme protects 250,000 AUD per depositor, per ADI.
- Resource-sector lending is a significant part of the WA banking market.
- The 100-point ID check applies to all account openings.
Other things to keep in mind
- Perth is geographically isolated from the east coast, giving local banks a stronger role.
- Bankwest was long the dominant WA bank before its acquisition by Commonwealth Bank.
- Mining and resources drive significant business lending activity.
Frequently asked questions
Which regulator supervises banks in Western Australia?
How do I open a bank account in Western Australia?
How much of my money is protected in Western Australia?
Do I need to be a resident of Western Australia to open an account?
Sources and verification
The regulatory details on this page come from the bodies that publish them, not from secondary summaries. Each was checked in September 2026.
- APRA / ASIC (national) — banking regulator for Western Australia
- Financial Claims Scheme — deposit protection covering 250,000 AUD per depositor, per ADI
- National supervisory framework: APRA / ASIC
Banking rules and product availability change. Always confirm details with the institution itself before acting. This page is educational information, not a recommendation of any provider. Last reviewed: September 2026.
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