Westpac job losses

In a callous and shocking move, Westpac has axed hundreds upon hundreds of jobs in just a few short weeks, with many more job cuts to come.

This devastating announcement was made smack bang in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis where workers are already struggling to make ends meet.  

Meanwhile, Westpac’s profits continue to skyrocket with the bank having recently announced a half-yearly 22% jump on profits to a massive $4 billion.  

They’ve claimed they need to cut costs during difficult economic times, yet have thrown out close to $25 million on NRL sponsorship and their executives keep getting huge pay rises 

This clearly demonstrates Westpac is making a choice to prioritise profits over people.  

Westpac is a very profitable bank built off the backs of hardworking staff who go above and beyond every day. These cuts are a slap in the face to those who have worked so hard to get the bank to where it is today and shows a blatant disregard for its staff, customers and communities. 

Who’s picking up the pieces?

 

These job cuts also mean tens of thousands of work hours are now lost to the business. And it will be left to those who remain to pick up the pieces and cover this workload at a time when we know many are already overworked and close to burnout.

Hours of work cut so far (each week):

Westpac has an obligation to make sure our workplace is safe, and this includes ensuring our workloads are safe and manageable. So please tell us if you feel your workloads are unsafe or if you are concerned about the additional workload from these job cuts.

TAKE OUR QUICK POLL

 

The FSU and Westpac staff will be fighting back against these short-sighted job cuts.  

There are some actions you can take below to show your support and stand up against Westpac.

Sign our petition

So far Westpac has gone about these job cuts in a completely disrespectful and harmful fashion. Staff have experienced shockingly poor communication, been pre-selected for the cuts before they were even announced, are training overseas staff to replace themselves and will even have their work outsourced to agencies. It shows a complete disrespect and disregard for the work we do. 

With more job cuts to come, we need your help to take back control over the decision-making around these abhorrent cuts. Sign our petition demanding Westpac consult with us early and thoroughly so we are genuinely heard.  

Sign our petition


Complete our feedback form
 

If you are a Westpac staff member who has been impacted by these cuts, complete our feedback form and tell us how these cuts have affected you.   

Complete our feedback form

 

The FSU has also written to the NSW, ACT, VIC and TAS Treasurers outlining the impact that these job cuts will have on service delivery across the public sector and beyond. You can read our letters below. 

Letter to state treasurers

 

Has your workplace been impacted by these cuts?

 

Here’s a list of all Westpac workplaces where we’ve been notified job cuts are taking place.  

Date 

Workplace/area 

Number of jobs cut 

27/9/23

Remediation Delivery & Optimisation

39

27/9/23

Tax & Accounting Services, Platforms Service & Operations, Technology

43

21/9/23

Business Lending

29

18/9/23

Group Regulatory Affairs, Risk

6

7/9/23

Group Property, Leasing and Workplace teams

8

7/9/23

Group Procurement

5

7/9/23

Consumer Finance

8

7/9/23

Consumer Bus Banking Technology

18

7/9/23

Consumer Bus Banking Digital

16

7/9/23

Consumer Business Banking Chief Transformation office

57

1/9/23

Branch closures

23.47

31/8/23

BCMR

9

31/8/23

WIB Technology

8

17/8/23

Cash Services – Customer Experience Transformation

11.48

27/7/23

Chief Transformation Office, Risk

28

12/7/23

Non-Financial Risk and Chief Compliance Office

34.4

12/7/23

CBB Risk Operational Risk & Compliance

15

12/7/23

Financial Crime

4

12/7/23

CBB Risk – Business Lending

24

6/7/23

Mortgage Operations Sales Support Unit

13

5/7/23

Banking as a Service business

14

6/7/23

Insights & Portfolio Team, Mortgage Operations

6.8

29/6/23 

Consumer & Business Customer Engagement – Operations & Effectiveness  

27

21/6/23 

Business Services Operations Team, Mortgage Operations Origination 

6.8

21/6/23 

Corporate Services, Corporate Reporting & Analytics Business  

14

20/6/23 

Brand and Marketing  

46

15/6/23 

Group Operations – Mortgage Operations Capability Team 

10

15/6/23 

Group Operations Contact Centre – Mortgage Quality  

40

15/6/23 

Consumer & Business Customer Engagement – Home Lending Distribution  

8

15/6/23 

Consumer & Business Customer Engagement – Premier Change 

116

14/6/23 

Commercial Relationship Banking, Consumer & Business Banking 

22

8/6/23 

Chief Transformation Office  

7

8/6/23 

5 Branch closures  

22

8/6/23 

Program Delivery Changes, Consumer & Business Banking 

301

8/6/23

Disputes & ATMs and Merchant Fraud & Chargebacks Team Changes

7

25/5/23 

Private Wealth, Consumer & Business Banking  

10

25/5/23 

Fin Markets - WIB 

17

24/5/23

Service Operations/Digital Solutions Team (IT Help Desk)  

7

Jobs lost in 2023

1080.95

Here’s what Westpac staff had to say…