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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

Form 6K

Report of Foreign Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

October 30, 2003

WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION
(Translation of registrant's name into English)

60 MARTIN PLACE, SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES 2000, AUSTRALIA
(Address of principal executive offices)

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

Form 20-F ý          Form 40-F 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.]

Yes o          No ý

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




Index to Exhibits

Exhibit No.

  Description
1   Profit Announcement for the Year Ending September 30, 2003.

2

 

2003 Final Dividend—Payment Date and Record Date


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: October 30, 2003

 

By:

/s/  
MANUELA ADL      
Manuela Adl
SVP & Chief Operating Officer

Media release

        30 October 2003

        Westpac Banking Corporation announced on 30 October 2003, a net profit attributable to equity holders ('net profit') of $2,183 million for the year ended 30 September 2003. Cash earnings(1) attributable to ordinary shareholders was $2,271 million up 1% on 2002.

        Earnings per share(2) were 115.6 cents, down 2% on 2002, and the return on equity(3) was 18.0%.

        Directors have determined to pay a final dividend of 40 cents per share, taking the total dividend for the year to 78 cents, an increase of 11% on the prior year.

        Earnings have been maintained at the same time as Westpac has invested for the future and without the benefit of AGC earnings that were included in the 2002 results.

        Growth in Westpac's lending portfolio has been achieved without compromising asset quality. Stressed loans have declined by a further 9 basis points to 1% of total commitments. The charge for bad and doubtful debts increased by $24 million or 5% on 2002 as a result of higher dynamic provisioning due to increased organic loan growth.

        Westpac's CEO Dr Morgan said: "Today's result shows that Westpac is successfully implementing a range of strategic initiatives, particularly in customer service, that is improving long term earnings sustainability.

        "We have the right balance between growth and return, having again delivered consistent earnings growth despite the earnings dilution arising from the sale of AGC in 2002 and the acquisition of Rothschild Australia Asset Management and BT Funds Management."

        Westpac's leadership in governance and corporate responsibility was again widely recognised with Westpac rated the global sustainability leader in the banking sector by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the second year running and was the only company to receive a AAA rating in the Reputex Social Responsibility Ratings.


(1)
Net profit attributable to equity holders is calculated in accordance with Australian GAAP. 'Cash earnings' adds back to net profit the amortisation of goodwill and subtracts distributions paid on hybrid equity instruments. We disclose this measure to investors to promote understanding of our past and future performance indicators. This measure should not be construed as superior to GAAP measures. We reconcile our cash earnings to net profit attributable to equity holders on the next page.

(2)
Net profit attributable to equity holders less distributions on other equity instruments divided by the daily weighted average number of ordinary shares.

(3)
Calculated by dividing net profit by average total equity.

US Media and Press Release—Selected Financial Data

        The selected financial data set out below (other than certain percentages and average amounts quoted) have been derived from the consolidated financial statements for Westpac Banking Corporation and its controlled entities ("Westpac") for the years ended 30 September 2001 to 2003, which have been prepared in accordance with Australian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

        The US GAAP information has also been derived from the consolidated financial statements for Westpac, after having made adjustments for US GAAP requirements.

        Translation of our 2003 figures to US currency has been made solely for the convenience of the reader at the rate of AUD1.00 = USD0.6797, the noon buying rate for cable transfers on 30 September 2003, published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. These translations should not be construed as representations that the Australian dollar amounts actually represent such US dollar amounts or have been or could be converted into US dollars at the rate indicated.

        When necessary, comparative figures for 2002 and 2001 have been adjusted to conform to changes in presentation and classification in 2003.

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT DATA

 
  Year ended
 
 
  30 Sept
2003
USD

  30 Sept
2003
AUD

  30 Sept
2002
AUD

  30 Sept
2001
AUD

 
 
   
  (in millions)

   
 
Amounts in accordance with Australian GAAP                  

Interest income

 

6,813

 

10,024

 

9,220

 

10,258

 
Interest expense   (3,861 ) (5,680 ) (5,074 ) (6,207 )
   
 
 
 
 
Net interest income   2,952   4,344   4,146   4,051  
Total non-interest income   2,030   2,986   2,978   2,537  
   
 
 
 
 
Net operating income   4,982   7,330   7,124   6,588  
Total operating expenses excluding bad and doubtful debts   (2,669 ) (3,926 ) (3,995 ) (3,570 )
Operating profit before bad and doubtful debts and income tax expense   2,313   3,404   3,129   3,018  
Bad and doubtful debts   (330 ) (485 ) (461 ) (433 )
   
 
 
 
 
Profit from ordinary activities before income tax expense   1,983   2,919   2,668   2,585  
Income tax expense   (494 ) (728 ) (471 ) (677 )
Net profit attributable to outside equity interests   (5 ) (8 ) (5 ) (5 )
   
 
 
 
 
Net profit attributable to equity holders   1,484   2,183   2,192   1,903  
   
 
 
 
 
Amounts in accordance with US GAAP                  

Net income

 

1,349

 

1,984

 

2,579

 

1,769

 
   
 
 
 
 

2


Reconciliation of cash earnings

 
  Year ended
 
 
  30 Sept
2003
USD

  30 Sept
2003
AUD

  30-Sep
2002
AUD

  30 Sept
2001
AUD

 
 
  (in millions unless otherwise stated)

 
Net profit attributable to equity holders   1,484   2,183   2,192   1,903  
Goodwill amortisation   111   163   100   98  
Distributions on other equity instruments   (51 ) (75 ) (48 ) (51 )
   
 
 
 
 
Cash earnings   1,544   2,271   2,244   1,950  
   
 
 
 
 

3


STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 
  As at

 
  30 Sept
2003
USD

  30 Sept
2003
AUD

  30 Sept
2002
AUD

  30 Sept
2001
AUD

 
  (in millions)

Amounts in accordance with Australian GAAP                
Assets                
Cash and balances with central banks   1,214   1,786   1,669   1,079
Due from other financial institutions   4,102   6,035   5,242   5,094
Trading securities   5,977   8,793   10,643   10,629
Investment securities
(market value $3,745m, 2002 $3,216m, 2001 $2,814m)
  2,485   3,656   3,313   2,960
Loans   109,072   160,473   135,870   122,250
Acceptances of customers   2,575   3,788   4,788   15,700
Life insurance assets   7,152   10,522   7,566   7,352
Regulatory deposits with central banks overseas   289   425   455   482
Goodwill   1,739   2,558   1,754   1,501
Fixed assets   572   842   815   1,034
Deferred tax assets   693   1,019   587   441
Other assets   14,574   21,442   18,335   21,323
   
 
 
 
Total assets   150,444   221,339   191,037   189,845
   
 
 
 
Liabilities                
Due to other financial institutions   2,604   3,831   4,731   5,954
Deposits and public borrowings   87,729   129,071   110,763   96,157
Debt issues   20,371   29,970   27,575   27,989
Acceptances   2,575   3,788   4,788   15,700
Current tax liabilities   211   310   537   303
Deferred tax liabilities   167   246   80   403
Life insurance policy liabilities   6,726   9,896   7,163   7,123
Provisions   314   462   1,093   1,038
Other liabilities   17,145   25,225   19,327   20,635
   
 
 
 
Total liabilities excluding loan capital   137,842   202,799   176,057   175,302
   
 
 
 
Loan capital                
Subordinated bonds, notes and debentures   2,700   3,971   3,795   4,045
Subordinated perpetual notes   389   573   717   793
   
 
 
 
Total loan capital   3,089   4,544   4,512   4,838
   
 
 
 
Total liabilities   140,931   207,343   180,569   180,140
   
 
 
 
Net assets   9,513   13,996   10,468   9,705
   
 
 
 
Equity                
Parent entity interest:                
  Ordinary shares   2,700   3,972   3,503   1,751
  Reserves   (50 ) (73 ) 82   2,819
  Retained profits   4,991   7,343   5,930   4,174
   
 
 
 
Total parent entity interest   7,641   11,242   9,515   8,744
   
 
 
 
Other equity interests:                
  New Zealand Class shares   321   471   471   482
  Trust Originated Preferred Securities (TOPrSSM)   316   465   465   465
  Fixed Interest Resettable Trust Securities (FIRsTS)   445   655    
  Trust Preferred Securities (TPS)   769   1,132    
   
 
 
 
Total other equity interests   1,851   2,723   936   947
   
 
 
 
Total equity attributable to equity holders of Westpac Banking Corporation   9,492   13,965   10,451   9,691
Outside equity interests in controlled entities (OEI)   21   31   17   14
   
 
 
 
Total equity   9,513   13,996   10,468   9,705
   
 
 
 

4


 
  As at

 
 
  30 Sept
2003
USD

  30 Sept
2003
AUD

  30 Sept
2002
AUD

  30 Sept
2001
AUD

 
 
   
  (in millions)

   
 
Average Balances                  
Total assets   142,993   210,377   186,827   178,196  
Loans   103,179   151,801   134,102   118,260  
Allowances for loan losses   (1,041 ) (1,531 ) (1,603 ) (1,537 )
Acceptances   2,992   4,402   7,707   16,680  
Ordinary equity (excluding OEI)   7,459   10,972   9,890   8,795  
TOPrS   316   465   465   465  
FIRsTS   347   511      
TPS   101   149      
OEI   14   21   16   10  
Total equity   8,237   12,118   10,371   9,270  

Amounts in accordance with US GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average total assets

 

143,285

 

210,806

 

187,128

 

178,198

 
Average total equity   7,600   11,182   9,999   9,071  
Average minority interest   432   635   481   475  
   
 
 
 
 

ASSET QUALITY DATA

 
  Year ended

 
 
  30 Sept
2003
USD

  30 Sept
2003
AUD

  30 Sept
2002
AUD

  30 Sept
2001
AUD

 
 
  (in millions, except for percentages)

 
Impaired assets                  
Non-accrual assets                  
  Gross   406   597   648   866  
  Specific provisions   (108 ) (159 ) (266 ) (299 )
   
 
 
 
 
  Net   298   438   382   567  
Restructured loans                  
  Gross   10   15   31   36  
  Specific provisions   (1 ) (2 ) (6 ) (8 )
   
 
 
 
 
  Net   9   13   25   28  
   
 
 
 
 
Net impaired assets   307   451   407   595  
   
 
 
 
 

Provisions for bad and doubtful debts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Specific provisions   109   161   272   307  
General provision   947   1,393   1,162   1,294  
   
 
 
 
 
Total provisions for bad and doubtful debts   1,056   1,554   1,434   1,601  
   
 
 
 
 

Asset quality

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Specific provisions to total impaired assets   26.3 % 26.3 % 40.1 % 34.0 %
Total impaired assets to total loans and acceptances(1)   0.37 % 0.37 % 0.48 % 0.65 %
Total provisions to total loans and acceptances(1)   0.94 % 0.94 % 1.01 % 1.15 %
Total provisions to total impaired assets   253.9 % 253.9 % 211.2 % 177.5 %
General provision to non-housing performing loans   1.7 % 1.7 % 1.7 % 1.8 %
   
 
 
 
 

(1)
Loans are stated before related provisions for bad and doubtful debts.

5


SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED RATIOS

 
  Year ended

 
  30 Sept
2003
USD

  30 Sept
2003
AUD

  31 Sept
2002
AUD

  30 Sept
2001
AUD

 
  (in millions unless otherwise stated)

Average number of ordinary shares outstanding   1,824   1,824   1,812   1,801
Distributions on other equity instruments   51   75   48   51
Ordinary dividends provided for or paid   914   1,345   1,266   1,106

Ratios in accordance with Australian GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profitability ratios (%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Net interest margin(1)   2.65   2.65   2.80   3.11
Return on average assets(2)   1.04   1.04   1.17   1.07
Return on average ordinary equity(3)   19.2   19.2   21.7   21.1
Return on average total equity(4)   18.0   18.0   21.2   20.6

Capital Ratio (%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Average total equity to average total assets   5.8   5.8   5.6   5.2
Total capital ratio (net)   10.5   10.5   9.6   9.9

Earnings Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Basic earnings per ordinary share (cents)(5)   78.6   115.6   118.3   102.8
Fully diluted earnings per ordinary share (cents)(6)   78.4   115.3   117.9   102.4
Dividends per ordinary share (cents)   53   78   70   62
Dividend payout ratio %(7)   67.5   67.5   59.2   60.3

Ratios in accordance with US GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profitability ratios (%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Net interest margin   2.65   2.65   2.80   3.11
Net profit attributable to equity holders to average total assets   0.94   0.94   1.38   0.99
Net profit attributable to equity holders to average total equity   17.7   17.7   25.8   19.5

Capital Ratio (%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Average total equity to average total assets   5.3   5.3   5.3   5.1
Leverage ratio %(8)   4.6   4.6   4.5   4.5

Earnings Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Basic earnings per ordinary share (cents)(5)   73.9   108.8   142.3   98.2
Fully diluted earnings per ordinary share (cents)   73.7   108.4   141.5   97.6
Dividend payout ratio %(7)   71.7   71.7   49.2   63.1
   
 
 
 

(1)
Calculated by dividing net interest income (including gross up) by average interest bearing assets.
(2)
Calculated by dividing net profit attributable to our equity holders by average total assets.
(3)
Calculated by dividing net profit attributable to our equity holders less distributions on other equity instruments by average ordinary equity.
(4)
Calculated by dividing net profit attributable to our equity holders by average total equity.
(5)
Based on average number of ordinary shares outstanding including 54 million New Zealand class shares and distributions on other equity instruments of A$75m (2002 A$48m, 2001 A$51m).
(6)
Based on average number of shares and share equivalents and after deducting non-converting preference dividends and distributions on other equity instruments from net profit after tax
(7)
Calculated by dividing dividends per ordinary share by basic earnings per share.
(8)
Leverage ratios have been calculated in accordance with guidelines promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The ratio is calculated by dividing Tier 1 capital in accordance with US GAAP by total average assets for leverage capital purposes in accordance with US GAAP.

6


GROUP FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR US INVESTORS

Our operating profit and shareholders' equity adjusted to comply with United States generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) are:

Twelve months to
$m

  30 Sept
2003

  30 Sept
2003

  30 Sept
2002

  30 Sept
2001

 
 
  US$(1)
  A$
  A$
  A$
 
Net profit as reported under Australian GAAP   1,484   2,183   2,192   1,903  
Items having an effect of increasing (decreasing) reported income (related tax impact of item shown seperately)                  
Premises and sites   (72 ) (106 ) 15   54  
Amortisation of goodwill   111   163   1   (17 )
Superannuation (pension) expense   44   64   274   42  
Related income tax expense   (13 ) (19 ) (83 ) (12 )
Wealth management   (12 ) (17 ) 124   (93 )
Related income tax credit/(expense)   3   5   (24 ) 21  
Write-down of available-for-sale securities   (25 ) (37 ) 149   (149 )
Employee share option compensation (under APB 25)   (10 ) (15 ) (8 ) (7 )
Employee share option compensation (under SFAS 123)   (18 ) (27 ) (9 )  
Distributions on other equity instruments   (28 ) (41 ) (48 ) (51 )
Distributions on other debt instruments   (23 ) (34 )    
Amortisation of issue costs on other debt instruments   (1 ) (2 )    
Start-up cost adjustment       24   6  
Related income tax expense       (7 ) (2 )
Other non-financial asests   5   7   (39 )  
Related income tax credit/(expense)   2   3   (19 )  
Software capitalisation   (3 ) (4 ) (11 ) (4 )
Related income tax credit   1   2   3   1  
Effect of initial application of SFAS 133         (86 )
Related income tax credit         29  
Derivative instruments (under SFAS 133)   (76 ) (111 ) (13 ) 196  
Related income tax credit/(expense)   18   26   4   (62 )
Difference in carrying value of controlled entity sold       7    
Restructuring costs   (54 ) (79 ) 67    
Related income tax credit/(expense)   16   23   (20 )  

 
Net income according to US GAAP   1,349   1,984   2,579   1,769  

 
Adjustments to determine other comprehensive income under US GAAP                  
Foreign currency translation   (106 ) (156 ) (76 ) 74  
Unrealised net gain/(loss) on available-for-sale securities   106   156   (104 ) (1 )
Reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses now included in net income   23   34     63  

 
Total comprehensive income according to US GAAP   1,372   2,018   2,399   1,905  

 

(1)
Australian dollar amounts have been translated into United States dollars solely for the convenience of the reader at the rate of A$1.00 = US$0.6797, the noon buying rate for cable transfers on 30 September 2003, published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

7


Twelve months to:
$m

  30 Sept
2003

  30 Sept
2003

  30 Sept
2002

  30 Sept
2001

 
 
  US$(1)
  A$
  A$
  A$
 
Equity attributable to equity holders of Westpac Banking Corporation as reported under Australian GAAP   9,492   13,965   10,451   9,691  
Adsjustments:                  
Premises and sites   (121 ) (178 ) (72 ) (87 )
Goodwill   103   151   (12 ) (13 )
Superannuation (pension) asset   126   186   141   (57 )
Welth management assets (net of tax)   (35 ) (52 ) (40 ) (140 )
Available-for-sale securities   33   48   (105 ) (150 )
Final dividend provided       651   577  
Other equity instruments   (1,085 ) (1,597 ) (465 ) (465 )
Other debt instruments   (447 ) (657 )    
Start-up costs         (17 )
Other non-financial assets   (33 ) (48 ) (58 )  
Capitalised software   (12 ) (18 ) (16 ) (8 )
Derivative instruments (under SFAS 133)   (12 ) (17 ) 68   77  
Restructuring provisions   (6 ) (9 ) 47    

 
Equity attributable to equity holders according to US GAAP   8,003   11,774   10,590   9,408  

 

Total assets as reported under Australian GAAP

 

150,444

 

221,339

 

191,037

 

189,845

 
Adjustments:                  
Premises and sites   (121 ) (178 ) (72 ) (87 )
Goodwill   103   151   (12 ) (13 )
Superannuation (pension) asset   181   266   202   (81 )
Wealth management assets   (50 ) (74 ) (57 ) (200 )
Available-for-sale securities   31   46   (108 ) (150 )
Start-up costs         (24 )
Other non-financial assets   (47 ) (69 ) (39 )  
Capitalised software   (18 ) (26 ) (23 ) (11 )
Derivative instruments (under SFAS 133)   (10 ) (14 ) 97   110  
Provision for bad and doubtful debts   149   219   207   161  
Deferred tax assets   73   108   106   219  
   
 
Total assets according to US GAAP   150,736   221,768   191,338   189,769  

 
Total liabilities as reported under Australian GAAP   140,931   207,343   180,569   180,140  
Adjustments:                  
Final dividend provided       (651 ) (577 )
Other debt instruments   447   657      
Restructuring provisions   9   13   (67 )  
Deferred tax liabilities   91   134   208   158  
Other liabilities   149   219   207   161  
Other equity instruments   1,085   1,597   465   465  
Outside equity interest as reported under Australian GAAP   21   31   17   14  
   
 
Total liabilities according to US GAAP   142,733   209,994   180,748   180,361  

 
Net assets according to US GAAP   8,003   11,774   10,590   9,408  

 
(1)
Australian dollar amounts have been translated into United States dollars solely for the convenience of the reader at the rate of A$1.00 = US$0.6797, the noon buying rate for cable transfers on 30 September 2003, published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

8




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SIGNATURES