Westpac Foundation

Tackling Australia's reading and maths gap

Right now, in classrooms across Australia, one in three children are struggling with basic reading and maths – and in communities facing greater barriers to learning, that gap is even wider.

To tackle this challenge, in 2026 Westpac Group is uniting its philanthropic foundations — Westpac, St.George, BankSA and Bank of Melbourne — and aligning its own community investment strategy behind a single, focused mission: improving literacy and numeracy outcomes for children in under-resourced communities.

History

We’ve been helping people in need for over 145 years

In 1879, Westpac became the first company in Australia to establish a charitable organisation. Launched by then CEO Thomas Buckland, the Buckland Fund (now part of the Westpac Foundation) originally helped widows and orphans of bank employees.

Since then, we’ve invested heavily to establish four other philanthropic foundations, including St.George, Bank of Melbourne, BankSA Foundations and Westpac Scholars Trust. The last of which was formed in 2014 with a $100 million gift to fund 100 scholarships a year, forever. At the time this was the largest philanthropic endeavour by an Australian corporate. 

Strategic approach

A new chapter, stronger commitment 

We’re now entering a new chapter in Westpac’s approach to community investment.

By bringing together the strengths, funding and resources of Westpac and its philanthropic foundations to create a unified grants program for primary schools and community organisations, we can deliver greater impact together.

Westpac is also investing in national partnerships with leaders in evidence-based education. 

Why education, why now

The gap is real – and it’s growing. Without action, too many children will continue to fall behind in the fundamental skills that open doors to every opportunity in life. By focusing earlier — helping children in primary school build strong reading and maths skills — we can change life trajectories and strengthen Australia’s future.

This builds on our decade-long commitment to education, established with the Westpac Scholars Trust’s pledge to award 100 scholarships a year, forever. Now we’re going earlier, with a bigger and bolder ambition — because when we invest in a child’s education, we invest in Australia’s future.