Which Banks Accept Foreign Cheques in Australia?
Looking to cash an overseas check? Discover which major Australian banks accept foreign cheques, the fees, and modern digital alternatives.
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Does moving money overseas really have to be so complicated? Every bank has its own processes, requirements and fees. It's enough to make your head spin.
The best way to simplify international transfers is to know how they work for your bank. This guide will not only tell you about how to make an NAB transfer, but how you can likely save money by using Wise for your international transfers.
| Provider | Fees | Exchange rate | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAB | $30 | Exchange rate + markup | $30 + Exchange rate markup |
| Wise | $6.95 | The real exchange rate you see on Google | $6.95 |
Regardless, though, read on to learn everything you need to know about making an international money transfer to or from Australia's National Australia Bank (NAB).
| Outward International payments | NAB Fees |
|---|---|
| International money transfer via NAB Internet Banking (in foreign currency) | A$ 0 ⁺ |
| International money transfer via NAB Internet Banking (in Australian dollars) | A$ 30 ⁺⁺ |
| Banker assisted | A$ 30 |
| Requested by email or fax – email and fax written instructions will only be acted on where an Email/Fax Authority is held | A$ 35 |
| Request for cancellation of international money transfer - any cancellation request will be subject to the agreement of the beneficiary, whether that beneficiary is the intended beneficiary or not | A$ 20 ⁺ |
⁺ Any overseas bank charges incurred will be charged to the customer.
⁺⁺ In most cases, NAB will pay overseas bank charges on your behalf. However, in some instances beyond NAB's control, overseas banks will directly deduct these overseas bank charges from the money you send instead.
| Inward International payments | NAB Fees |
|---|---|
| Deposited to NAB account | Up to A$ 15 |
| Deposited to non-NAB account (NAB acting as intermediary) | Up to A$ 30 |
| Transfer of overseas currency received by NAB and transferred to another bank unconverted | Up to A$ 35 |
Checked as of 25 January 2026
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When you send or receive money in a currency that's different from what's used in your home bank account, usually either the recipient bank or an intermediary bank will convert it at an exchange rate of its choosing unless you agree upfront to send the foreign currency at the outset from NAB.
When banks convert money in an international transfer, that exchange rate quite often can be somewhere around 4-6% poorer than the mid-market rate you'd find if you Googled it. Which means your money is, essentially, worth less than if you were trading on international trade platforms. What that translates to in an international transfer is that, if you compare that exchange rate to the one you'd find in an online currency converter, you'll find that the transfer recipient may actually receive quite a bit less in his or her home currency than what you might have expected.
The fee is only one part of the cost of an international transfer. The exchange rate can also make a difference to how much your recipient gets.
Use this comparison to see the total cost of sending money overseas with Wise and NAB.
(Source 1 Source 2 Source 3 25 January 2026)
One alternative to using banks to make international money transfers is using Wise.
Wise is an easy way to save up to 5x when sending money overseas. You can make extra secure transfers to 140+ countries, which are easy to set up with no physical paperwork and completed usually in seconds.
With low, transparent pricing and the mid-market exchange rate for all your currency conversions for your foreign transfers, you'll usually get the best value for your money. Wise lets you see exactly what you're paying for a transfer, and what the recipient will get, with no hidden fees.
For managing foreign currencies even easier, create a free Wise account, and you'll be able to manage and convert your money in AUD and 40+ other currencies. Plus, you'll get local account details in 8+ currencies, including GBP, USD, and more making it easy to receive money from abroad whenever you need. You'll be able to track your transfers all in one place.
When it comes to international transfers, Wise makes things easier and cheaper.
This general advice does not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Savings claim based on our rates vs. selected Australian banks and other similar providers in Jan 2026. To learn more please visit https://wise.com/au/compare
Please see Terms of Use and product availability for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
NAB offers a few ways to transfer money internationally:
NAB doesn't offer international money transfers by phone.
Transferring money online is faster and, with NAB, it's also cheaper, but you can also make an international transfer at an NAB branch. Just gather all the necessary information — see below for more on that — and tell the teller/cashier what you need.
To make an international transfer with NAB, you'll need:
To receive an international money transfer to NAB, you'll need to give the sender:
To find out your BSB and account number, you can log in to NAB internet banking or call 13 22 65.
Typically, international money transfers from NAB take 1-3 business days to process depending on the currencies and countries involved. Once you've set one up with NAB, the money will leave your account within 1 business day.
When you pay for an international transfer with NAB, both the transfer amount and the fees are both deducted from your bank account. You may also be able to note that you want to cover all of the fees involved, share them with the recipient, or have the recipient pay all of them. Check with NAB to see what your full options are.
NAB doesn't currently offer a faster transfer for an extra fee.
Transfer times aren't guaranteed and some countries and recipient banks may take longer to process international transfers.
NAB's customer support has quite a few options for contact. The phone and email will depend on your location, however, so check their site for details.
Sending money overseas doesn't have to be complicated or costly, if you know what you're doing. Knowing your options for making international money transfers is the best way to choose the best one for you.
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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