Sometimes we ask you to provide documents or other items in support of your application/request. We accept scans or digital photographs of hard copy documents. There are some things we don’t accept – refer to What not to send.

Our privacy policy discusses how we protect your personal and sensitive information.

To attach a scan or photograph of a hard copy (paper) document you will need to:

  1. Convert it to a digital format
  2. Make sure you can access it from the computer or device you’re using to fill in the form
  3. Attach it to your application/request

1. Convert paper documents to digital

Scan

You can use a scanner to convert your hard copy documents to electronic files. Refer to your scanner’s instructions.

Take a digital photograph

For information on how to take a photograph using: 

  • An Apple device - visit the Apple website (External link).
  • An Android device - visit the website for your device
  • Your computer or laptop’s built-in camera – refer to your computer’s instructions
  • A digital camera – refer to your camera’s instructions.

Guidelines for photographs and scanned documents

Guidelines when preparing your documents

Attribute Acceptable Not acceptable
Colour
  • Black and white
  • Greyscale
  • Colour

Too pale or too dark to read
Clarity Clear and readable Blurred or unreadable
Completeness
  • All required details are visible
  • Private details such as bank account balance can be covered. However we need to see your name, address and the date range of the transactions
  • Required details are not visible
  • Cropped, folded or torn
File size Under 2MB Over 2MB
File type (format) .pdf, .rtf, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .jpe, .png, .tiff, .txt, .doc, .docx, .key, .ppt, .pptx, .pps, .ppsx, .odt, .xls, .xlsx, .csv, .zip Other file types 
Multiple-page documents
  • One electronic file 
  • One file for each page
 Required details are not supplied

2. Ensure you can access and select the file

Your digital file will now be saved to your device (e.g. phone or computer) or in online storage (‘the cloud’).

Make sure you can access this location from the device you are using to complete your application/request. 

For example, if you took the photo on your phone, but are filling in the form on a computer, you may need to move the photo to a shared location.

3. Upload the file

You can upload files where you see an ‘Upload Documents’ or ‘Add Documents’ button on BDM’s website. (It will depend on the transaction, application or request you are in.)

What not to send

When scanning and uploading documents, please do not upload:

  • Credit card details – these should only be provided in our secure Westpac online payment page or in person