Cardless cash: Which banks offer it?
Cardless cash lets you withdraw cash from ATMs without your debit card, but it's going to disappear by 2025.
Key takeaways
- Use your banking app to generate a one-time code or QR withdrawal, then withdraw at an eligible ATM.
- CommBank offers QR Cardless withdrawals of up to $2,000 daily for eligible Smart Access account holders.
- Try other card-free options like tapping a digital wallet at ANZ or NAB ATMs, then entering your PIN.
What is cardless cash?
Cardless cash allows you to withdraw money from an ATM without using your debit card. Instead, you can opt to receive a unique code from your bank to your phone (either by text message or within your mobile banking app) that you can then use at an eligible ATM to verify your cash withdrawal. If your bank offers cardless cash, you can access the feature within your mobile banking app. You need to select how much cash you'd like to withdraw within the app, and you can only use an ATM that supports the cardless cash feature.
Cardless cash allows you to still withdraw cash if you forgot your wallet or if you're out with just your phone on you. You can also use it to help family members access money if they're ever in need. All you have to do is provide them with the unique code so they can withdraw the money from a nearby eligible ATM.
Which banks offer cardless cash?
Only CBA now offers cardless cash in Australia, but intends to replace it with its QR cardless feature in early 2025. Currently, it's available on the CommBank Smart Access account, with withdrawals limited to $500 each day.
CommBank offers cardless cash via its QR Cardless feature at compatible CommBank ATMs. Currently, it's available on the CommBank Smart Access account, with a maximum daily QR Cardless withdrawal limit of up to $2,000 for eligible customers.
How to use cardless cash
If your bank account offers the cardless cash feature, here's how to use it.
1. Select cardless cash in your mobile banking app. Select the cardless cash option within your mobile banking app, and enter the amount of cash you'd like to withdraw. There are daily withdrawal limits, as noted in the table above.
3. Receive your unique code. After confirming your cardless cash request you'll be sent a unique code as a text message or on the screen in your mobile banking app (or both). For security, this code will expire after a short amount of time.
4. Locate a cardless cash ATM. Navigate to the closest ATM within your bank's network that's compatible with cardless cash. You may be able to locate your closest ATM using your mobile banking app. When you get there, select the cardless cash option on the ATM and enter your unique code when prompted to receive your cash.
Our expert says
"I don't use a cash a lot, but cardless cash has saved me on many occasions when I didn't have my wallet. It's a really simple process through the CBA app: in the first instance, you just need to enter the code and your PIN in the right order."
1:57
Hi, I'm Alison from Finder. Have you ever been caught needing cash when you don't have your debit card with you? If you answered yes, you could benefit from a bank account that offers cardless cash. But what is cardless cash? Let's take a look at how it works.
Like the name suggests, cardless cash is a feature which allows you to withdraw cash from an ATM without your debit card. To use cardless cash, you'll first have to open a transaction account with a bank that offers this feature. Westpac, St. George, CommBank, and ANZ all offer cardless cash through their transaction accounts.
If you find yourself without your debit card and you need some cash, select the cardless cash feature within your mobile banking app. You can enter the amount you'd like to withdraw from your account and confirm your transaction request. After confirming your request, a unique code will appear on the screen within your mobile banking app, be sent to you as a text message, or both. For security, this code will expire after a set amount of time, usually after only a few hours or even less.
Now, with your unique code at the ready, you'll need to find an ATM within your bank's network that offers cardless cash. It's probably a good idea to do this first as not all ATMs offer this feature. Some banks allow you to locate your nearest ATM via the mobile banking app. Once you've found an ATM, simply select the cardless cash option and enter your unique code when prompted to do so to receive your cash without your card. And don't worry if you don't make it to the ATM in time before your code expires; your money will be refunded to your account.
The cardless cash feature by ANZ works slightly differently. Customers can open up the mobile pay app on their phone, hold it up to the contactless symbol on an ATM, and enter their debit card's unique PIN number to withdraw cash without a card.
There are many benefits to cardless cash. You're able to travel lightly with just your phone if you don't want to take your wallet out with you or if you accidentally leave it at home. It's also handy to provide family and friends with a way to withdraw cash if they're ever stuck, and you can control how much they withdraw through the app. To learn more about the benefits of cardless cash and compare bank accounts that offer this feature, go to Finder.
Other options for getting cash without a card
Both ANZ and NAB allow you to access cash without your card in other ways.
ANZ's cardless cash feature
ANZ doesn't offer the same cardless cash feature as CommBank, but it does offer a version of this feature. ANZ customers can link their ANZ debit card to Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay and withdraw cash at any ANZ ATM using their digital wallet instead of their debit card.
NAB cardless cash feature
No, NAB doesn't offer the cardless cash feature. However, you can use your digital wallet to withdraw cash from NAB ATMs without your physical debit card. Just tap your digital card at the ATM and enter your PIN when prompted.
Pros and cons of cardless cash
Pros
- The convenience. With cardless cash, you have the ability to travel light when you need to.
- In emergencies. You can continue to access your cash in an emergency even if you've left your wallet at home.
- You can help family and friends. You can share the code with a trusted family member when they're out an need cash, for example your child.
- No additional costs The app works the same as a debit card when withdrawing money. So long as you are using ATMs in your bank's network, you should not be charged any additional fees.
- Increased security. In some ways, the app provides more security as the code is for one use only, rather than a debit card which prompts you for the same code each time you use it.
Cons
- Limited bank accounts. Right now, there is only one bank in Australia that offers this feature.
- Limited ATMs. Not all ATMs offer this feature. Plus, if the ATM network is down, you will not be able to use the code to withdraw money until it is up and running again.
Frequently asked questions
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Can I still withdraw cash from a Commonwealth atm that supports cardless cash with only mu BSB and account number and pin
Hi Doc,
According to the bank’s website you can withdraw cash from a Commonwealth ATM using a QR code and the Commbank app. It’s called QR cardless. I don’t think you can use a BSB and account number any more.
B of M and Westoac DO NOT offer careless cash. Please update.
Thanks for the flag John, we’ve updated the guide.
How to cardless deposit at CommBank if you don’t have an account there
You will need an account to do this.
Can I careless cash with regional Australia bank?
Hi Kay,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
I’m afraid that it is not available on Regional Australia Bank’s ATMs. Please note that the careless cash can be done at an eligible ATM to verify your cash withdrawal. If your bank offers cardless cash, you can access the feature within your mobile banking app. You need to select how much cash you’d like to withdraw within the app, and you can only use an ATM that supports the cardless cash feature whether it is .
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
How can I do cardless cash with ANZ?
Hi Bronwyn,
Thank you for reaching out.
If you are an ANZ customer, you can use your smartphone or smartwatch to withdraw cash from eligible ANZ ATMs. You need to have a feature called ANZ Wallets@ATM. This includes Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Gamin Pay and Fitbit Pay. You can also hover your smartphone or smartwatch over the contactless symbol on an eligible ATM to withdraw cash from their account without your debit or credit card. You can contact ANZ to assist you on how you can incorporate the new feature to your account with them.
Hope this helps!
Kind Regards,
Mai