Bank accounts with cheque books
Cheque books are becoming increasingly rare, but there are still some bank accounts that offer them.
Key takeaways
- Some major banks still offer cheque books to existing customers, but most no longer provide them for new accounts.
- Some banks charge per cheque or impose deposit and balance requirements.
- Due to online and mobile banking, cheques are becoming a much less common form of payment in Australia.
According to the RBA's retail payments statistics, the number of cheque payments was down 28.0% in the year to July 2026, while the value of cheque payments was down 19.8% over the same period. But if you're looking for an everyday transaction account that allows you to write cheques, your options are now limited, as most banks no longer issue cheque books to new customers.
Major Banks offering cheque books
| Provider | Do they offer cheque book? | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) | Existing customers only | Existing accounts with prior cheque access retain this feature, but replacement cheque books are not issued automatically; customers must request them by contacting the bank or visiting a branch. |
| ANZ | Existing customers only | Existing accounts with prior cheque issued before 16 June 2024 retain this feature, but replacement cheque books are not issued automatically; customers must request them by contacting the bank or visiting a branch. |
| ANZ | Existing customers only | Cheque books are generally only available for accounts opened before 16 June 2024 that had a cheque book issued before that date. Customers who already have a cheque book can continue using it and may order replacement cheque books through the ANZ Contact Centre or at a branch. |
| NAB | Existing customers only | If you have an existing account with cheque book access, you can re-order a cheque book in NAB Internet Banking. NAB cheque books are no longer available for new accounts or for existing accounts that don't already have a cheque book. |
| Bankwest | Existing customers only | From 20 March 2024, cheque books are no longer available to Bankwest customers. If you still have an active cheque book after this date, it can still be used. |
| Hume Bank | Existing customers only | From 2 December 2024, new Hume Bank accounts no longer come with the option of a cheque book, and from 30 June 2025 Hume Bank no longer issues replacement cheque books. You can keep using your current cheque book until it runs out. |
| The Mutual Bank | Existing customers only | The Mutual Bank will phase out cheques by 31 December 2025. |
| Bendigo bank | Existing customers only | Customers with existing chequebooks will be able to retain these. Chequebooks will no longer be reissued or available to reorder on all new or existing accounts. |
| Bank of Sydney | No | From 16 February 2024, Bank of Sydney no longer provides Cheque Services. This means: You will be unable to deposit cheques from Bank of Sydney or any other financial institution into a Bank of Sydney account. |
| ME Bank | No | From 21 February 2024, ME Bank is no longer providing new cheque facilities or issuing new cheque books to customers with existing cheque facilities. |
| Bank Australia | No | From 28 March 2024, All cheque services are unavailable at Bank Australia |
How cheques work
Cheques provide a simple and secure way to make payments using the money in your bank account. Once you write a cheque, the person you make the cheque payable to can deposit it into their bank account.
The cheque is then returned to your bank to be verified and approved, in order to make sure you have enough money in your account to cover the transaction. If everything is okay, your bank will then withdraw the necessary funds from your account and authorise payment to the person who deposited the cheque.
This system makes cheques a much more secure payment method than cash in many situations, but it also means payment takes much longer than other modern methods. Cheques take a minimum of a few business days to clear after being deposited in your account, so they're not ideal if you're looking for fast payment.
Benefits of cheque books
- Reliable. If you live in an area where electronic banking services are not always available, having a cheque book linked to your account provides a reliable way to access your funds.
- Send payments by post. Cheques offer a more secure option than sending money in the post.
- No need to carry large sums of cash. Paying by cheque removes the need to carry a large amount of cash, providing extra safety and peace of mind.
- Traditional method of banking. If you don’t feel comfortable taking care of your everyday banking needs online, using cheques provides an easy solution.
Downsides of cheque books
- Extra fees. As they're being widely phased out, many banks now charge a fee to cash a cheque.
- Not widely available. A lot of banks no longer offer cheque books.
- Slower to clear. Cheques take longer to clear and have the money settled in comparison to electronic payments, which are mostly instant.
- Not common knowledge. A lot of people, particularly those in their 20s, 30s and even 40s, would have never seen a cheque and won't know how to use them.
- Easy to lose. As it's just a piece of paper, a cheque is really easy to misplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
More resources on Finder
Ask a question
More guides on Finder
-
Australian debit card statistics
Explore how the typical Australian uses their debit card in our detailed guide to debit card statistics.
-
Beyond Bank Purple Transactor Account
An everyday account with no monthly fees, no ATM withdrawal fees worldwide and Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay available.
-
Wise Multi-currency Account
Unlike a standard multi-currency account, the Wise multi-currency Account offers 5 sets of international bank details and you can spend money in more than 160 countries.
-
Hume Bank Clancy Koala Account
Teach your kids good saving habits and earn high interest with this account.
-
Hume Bank Retirement Account
An account for over those aged over 55 that offers easy access to your funds with competitive interest rates.
-
Bank First Everyday Account
This transaction account has no monthly fees and can be opened by both personal and business customers.
-
New bank account sign up bonuses & offers
Now is the best time to start looking at the new bank account offers and promotions available. There is fierce competition between banks for your business so you should take advantage of this opportunity and get yourself a deal.
-
Best bank accounts in Australia November 2026
The best bank account will help you manage your everyday spending with low fees and easy access to your money. Check out our Top Picks curated by experts.
-
Compare Debit Cards Australia
When used wisely, a debit card provides you with great flexibility when it comes to handling your everyday financial needs.
-
Compare joint bank accounts
Opening a joint bank account is a big step for any couple. Find out more about what to look for in an account and how to avoid the common pitfalls.