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 A number of banks have already withdrawn their cheque banking facilities.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.
Important dates
Wednesday 1 January 2025
- Personal and business chequebooks will no longer be available to order
- Bank cheques will no longer be available
Monday 26 May 2025
- Any Auswide Bank cheques written will need to be presented before this date
- Auswide Bank cheques presented after this date will be dishonoured
- You can still deposit non-Auswide Bank cheques to Auswide Bank accounts (please refer to the FAQs below)
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.
Other ways to pay your bills
There are several ways to pay regular expenses, such as your rates or electricity bill.
Direct Debit
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.
Visa Debit and Credit Card
Payments can be made online or in-store using your Auswide Bank Visa Debit card or Low Rate Visa Credit Card.
BPAY®
Make bill payments easily and securely in branch, in your internet banking or mobile app.*
Bank@Post
Manage your money and make payments at more than 3,500 Post Offices in communities across Australia.
Other ways to send money
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.
Not sure where to start?
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:
- Visit one of our branches or use the Auswide Bank app or internet banking to make a BPAY® payment
- Visit one of our branches or use the Auswide Bank app or internet banking to make a payment using the biller's BSB and account number
- Organise direct debit from your account if the bill is a reoccurring payment
- Make payments at more than 3,500 Post Offices in communities across Australia using Bank@Post
Send money to someone:
- Visit one of our branches or use the Auswide Bank app or internet banking to make a payment to someone using their BSB and account number
- Use the Auswide Bank app or internet banking to send money to someone using their PayID
Send money overseas:
- Send money to an international bank account with a telegraphic transfer
Frequently asked questions
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.
Have some questions?
We’re here to help.
