UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC  20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

February 8, 2010

 

Commission File Number 1-10167

 

WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

275 KENT STREET, SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES 2000, AUSTRALIA

(Address of principal executive office)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): o

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Act of 1934.

 

 

If “Yes” is marked, indicate the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):82-     

 

 

 

Incorporation by Reference

 

The information contained in this Report on Form 6-K shall be incorporated by reference in the prospectus relating to the Registrant’s debt securities contained in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-163800), as such prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Australian Government Withdraws Bank Wholesale Guarantee Scheme

 

On February 7, 2010, the Australian Government announced the withdrawal of its Guarantee Scheme for Large Deposits and Wholesale Funding (the “Guarantee”) on March 31, 2010.  The announcement does not affect the Financial Claims Scheme, which will continue to cover deposits of up to A$1 million until the cap is reviewed in October 2011.

 

The Australian Government announced that existing guaranteed liabilities of authorized deposit-taking institutions will continue to be covered by the Guarantee to maturity, for wholesale funding and term deposits, or to October 2015, for at call deposits.  The final date for authorized deposit-taking institutions to apply for access to the Guarantee is March 24, 2010.

 

Disclosure regarding forward-looking statements

 

The information contained in this Report on Form 6-K contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The forward-looking statements include statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations with respect to our business and operations and results of operations and financial condition.

 

We use words such as ‘may’, ‘expect’, ‘indicative’, ‘intend’, ‘forecast’, ‘likely’, ‘estimate’, ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’ or similar words to identify forward-looking statements.  These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from the expectations described herein.  Factors that may impact on the forward-looking statements made include those described in the section entitled ‘Risk and risk management’ in Westpac’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2009.  When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to us, investors and others should carefully consider such factors and other uncertainties and events.  We are under no obligation, and do not intend, to update any forward-looking statements contained in these materials.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

	WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION
	(Registrant)
Date:   February 8, 2010	By:	/s/ Manuela Adl
		Manuela Adl
		SVP & Chief Operating Officer

 

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