Which Banks Accept Foreign Cheques in Australia?

If you are trying to work out which banks accept foreign cheques in Australia, the short answer is: most major Australian banks no longer do. That can come as a surprise if you have been sent a US refund cheque, an overseas pension payment, or a foreign currency bank draft. Cashing foreign cheques in Australia used to be possible through several big banks, but many of them have now shut the service down as cheque use declines and electronic transfers become the norm.

This guide walks through the current position at NAB, ANZ, Westpac and Commonwealth Bank, plus what to watch out for on fees and exchange rates, and how using a multi-currency service provider like Wise can help you receive money from overseas instead.

Things to note about cashing foreign cheques in Australia

One thing worth knowing is that a foreign cheque is not the same as an international money transfer. A cheque has to be physically deposited and then processed, which can take much longer and can create more uncertainty around fees, exchange rates, and whether the cheque will clear at all.

A common question is whether a bank that accepts ordinary Australian cheques will also handle a foreign one. In practice, that is different. Many Australian banks still support local cheque services in some form, but have separately stopped taking foreign currency cheques, foreign cheques, or international bank drafts.

If a bank does accept a foreign cheque, there can also be extra costs in the background. These may include a handling fee, a margin built into the exchange rate, and, in some cases, charges from overseas banks if the cheque is returned unpaid. The risk here is that the final amount you receive can be lower than you expected.

Which banks accept foreign cheques in Australia?

For most people asking which Australian banks accept foreign cheques, the answer among the big four is now no. Here is the current position bank by bank.

Does NAB accept foreign cheques?

No. NAB says that from 30 July 2022, it no longer accepts foreign currency cheques for deposit or purchase.¹ If you were hoping to cash a foreign cheque at NAB, the bank now directs customers to ask the sender to make an international funds transfer instead. That means if you already have a cheque in hand, NAB is not a practical option anymore.

Does ANZ accept foreign cheques?

No. ANZ states that, effective 1 February 2022, ANZ branches discontinued the acceptance of foreign cheques.² ANZ also recommends that if you need to receive funds in foreign currency on an ongoing basis, you should ask the sender to deposit the money directly into your bank account by international money transfer instead of mailing a cheque.

Does Westpac accept foreign cheques?

No. Westpac says it no longer buys or sells foreign cash, foreign cheques or drafts.³ That means if you are asking, "Does Westpac accept foreign cheques?” the answer is also no. Westpac now points customers towards its international transfer services instead.

Does Commonwealth Bank accept foreign cheques?

No. Commonwealth Bank says it no longer accepts foreign cheques, and also no longer issues or accepts international bank drafts.⁴ CommBank's guidance is that if you need to keep receiving funds from overseas, you should switch to an international money transfer directly into your account instead.

Are there any banks that may still help?

Yes, but the options are far more limited than they used to be.

Great Southern Bank says that, in association with Convera, it will usually be able to convert a foreign currency cheque into Australian dollars for credit to your Great Southern Bank account.⁵ According to its website, this can cover personal, bank, company, or government foreign currency cheques, although money orders are not accepted, and conditions apply.

That matters because it shows the service still exists in Australia, just not widely across the major banks.

What to do if you still need to cash a foreign cheque

If you already have a foreign cheque, your first step is to contact the bank you hold an account with and confirm its current policy. Do not assume branch staff will be able to process it just because the cheque is genuine.

If your bank no longer accepts foreign cheques, you have three options:

1. Ask the sender to cancel the cheque and resend the money by international bank transfer.
2. Check whether a smaller bank or specialist provider still offers foreign cheque conversion.
3. If the cheque was issued from an account you also control overseas, deposit it there and transfer the money electronically to Australia.

In practice, the first option is often the simplest. It removes the uncertainty around cheque clearance times and usually gives you a clearer view of the fees upfront. If you want a broader comparison, this guide on the cheapest way to receive money from overseas is a useful next read. And if you later need to move funds abroad yourself, you can also send money overseas from Australia.

Summary

If you are trying to work out which banks accept foreign cheques in Australia, the landscape is now straightforward: the major banks no longer support the service.

Because processing foreign paper instruments has become increasingly complex and manual handling is phasing out, getting an international cheque cleared down under is much harder than it used to be. Some smaller providers may still help in certain cases, but for most people the practical solution is to avoid foreign cheques where possible and switch to electronic transfers instead.

If the cheque has not been issued yet, asking the sender to pay you directly into an Australian or multi-currency account like Wise is usually faster, clearer, and easier to manage.

Receive foreign money in Australia with Wise

If you are still arranging the payment and the sender has not posted the cheque yet, it is often better to skip cheques altogether. Wise is a simple way to receive money fast and conveniently. Open a Wise account for free; get paid however you like, wherever you are. You will get 8+ domestic account details in global currencies like USD, GBP, and more to receive money like a local.

Easily manage transfers through the Wise app by sharing your account details, requesting with the Wise tag or syncing your contacts. After getting your funds, you can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account. For all your currency exchanges, you can get the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees, which usually gives the best value for your money. Wise also lets you send money to 140+ countries or get a linked Wise debit card to spend internationally, all at the same great mid-market rate. Plus, you can activate Wise Interest to earn returns* on your eligible balances while keeping your money available to spend.

When it comes to international transfers, Wise makes things easier and cheaper.

📥 Receive money with Wise

FAQ

Can I deposit a US cheque in Australia?

Usually not with the major banks. If the cheque is already issued, you may need to check smaller banks or specialist providers. If it has not been sent yet, ask for an international bank transfer instead.

Sources:

1. How to receive money from overseas | Key information - NAB
2. FAQs | ANZ
3. Does Westpac buy/sell foreign cash or foreign cheques/drafts? | Westpac
4. Foreign cheques - CommBank
5. Foreign Currency Cheque Conversion | Great Southern Bank