6-K

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

October 2, 2018

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.

Form 20-F x 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):  __________

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):  __________

Index to Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
1	Royal Commission into misconduct in the banking, superannuation and financial services industry interim report

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 2, 2018	By:	/s/ Sean Crellin
		Sean Crellin
		Director – Corporate, Legal and Secretariat

EX-1

Exhibit 1

Media

Release

28 SEPTEMBER 2018

ROYAL COMMISSION INTO MISCONDUCT IN THE BANKING, SUPERANNUATION AND FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY INTERIM REPORT

Westpac Group today noted the release of the Interim Report of the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.

Westpac Group Chief Executive Brian Hartzer said: “This report marks a significant step in the Royal Commission process. We’re reviewing it carefully and are focused on learning from the mistakes of the past and preventing them from happening again.

“The Royal Commission has identified many examples of misconduct across the industry. I apologise to any customers who have been impacted by mistakes that we have made”.

“While we’ve introduced a number of reforms, including to our remuneration structures, our approaches to dealing with customer issues and removing grandfathered commissions attributable to BT products, we know we still have more work to do.”

Westpac Group will be responding fully to the Interim Report as part of the submission process.

“Westpac has engaged fully and constructively with the Royal Commission process and will continue to do so,” Mr Hartzer said.

For Further Information

David Lording

Media Relations

M. 0419 683 411