Over the last decade Australia’s payment landscape has changed significantly, as more people choose to bank electronically. This has led to a 90% decline in cheque usage and a decision by the Australian Government to phase out the cheque payment system. A number of banks have already withdrawn their cheque banking facilities.
Based on these changes, from January 2025, Auswide Bank will no longer issue or reorder cheque books (personal and business) or provide bank cheques.
For our customers who currently utilise our cheque services, we’re committed to making sure the transition to alternative payment options is as easy as possible.
If writing cheques is the main way you make payments and pay bills, changing to an alternative payment option can be daunting. If this the case, you’re not alone and we’re here to help. Please contact us or visit us in branch to chat about your options.
There are several ways to pay regular expenses, such as your rates or electricity bill.
All you need is your BSB, account number and account name and you can set up a direct debit that allows a service provider to withdraw an agreed amount of money from your account.
Payments can be made online or in-store using your Auswide Bank Visa Debit card or Low Rate Visa Credit Card.
Make bill payments easily and securely in branch, in your internet banking or mobile app.*
Manage your money and make payments at more than 3,500 Post Offices in communities across Australia.
There are safe and secure digital options to send money.
OSKO & PayID
Near real-time payments so you can send and receive funds in under a minute, 24/7.
Telegraphic Transfers
Send money to an international bank account or have money paid into your account from overseas.
There are a number of alternative payment options to replace paying via cheque. If you're not sure where to start or what option might be right for you, here are a few examples:
Pay a bill:
Send money to someone:
Send money overseas:
Please destroy any existing cheque books, or drop into one of our branches and we will destroy them for you.
Yes, you can, but if the recipient doesn’t present the cheque on or before 26 May 2025, it will be dishonoured. To avoid this from happening, we recommend using alternative payment options from 1 January 2025.
After the cut-off date of 26 May 2025, all Auswide Bank cheques will be dishonoured. You will then need to organise an alternative method of payment with the payee.
At this point, we can still accept cheque deposits from other institutions. Please note, when accepting a cheque as payment, there may be a greater chance of it being dishonoured as the payees bank may no longer offer cheque services.
We’re here to help.
® Registered to BPAY Pty Ltd (ABN 69 079 137 518).
* BPAY is not available on all Auswide Bank accounts.
Auswide Bank Ltd has entered into contractual arrangements with Convera Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 150 129 749; AFSL 404092) (“Convera”), to assist it in fulfilling certain foreign exchange and payment services, including telegraphic transfers. The relationship relating to the services described is solely between you and Auswide Bank Ltd. Fees and charges may apply, please refer to the terms and conditions issued by Auswide Bank Ltd. Any advice provided by Auswide Bank Ltd is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Convera does not give you any advice, general, personal or otherwise. This communication has been prepared solely for informational purposes and does not in any way create binding obligations. No representations, warranties or conditions of any kind, express or implied, are made in this communication.
