The old-fashioned cheque book lived in the kitchen drawer, ready for birthdays, tradespeople, club memberships or paying the bills, and many people still feel more comfortable putting pen to paper than tapping a phone screen, but after more than a century as part of everyday Australian life, the humble cheque is entering its final chapter, with older Australians being urged to start preparing now for its disappearance.

Older Australians who still rely on cheques should talk with their bank or accountant about alternative ways to pay and receive money as the country’s cheque system moves towards closure. Under the national transition plan, we will no longer be able to write personal, commercial, government or bank cheques after 30 June 2028. From 30 September 2029, banks will also stop accepting cheques for deposit.

While cheque use has fallen dramatically, many older Aussies continue to rely on them, particularly for larger payments, gifts, donations and transactions where they value having a physical record.

The latest figures show the value of cheque payments in April 2026 fell 25 per cent compared with the previous year, with cheques now accounting for less than 0.1 per cent of all payments made in Australia.

Australian Payments Network (AusPayNet) CEO Andy White said the move reflects the rapid shift towards faster digital payment systems, but acknowledged many seniors will need support during the transition.

“We know many older Australians rely on cheques. It is important they are supported in getting ready for the time when cheques are no longer available,” he said.

Banks have already begun contacting regular cheque users and encouraging them to discuss alternative payment options.

These include direct bank transfers, BPAY, PayTo, debit and credit cards, EFTPOS and direct deposits into bank accounts. Australians are also being urged to check their drawers for any unbanked cheques, with AusPayNet estimating there were still around 3.5 million bank cheques worth about $820 million outstanding, with most more than three years old.

For those less confident using digital banking, the Federal Government’s Be Connected program offers free online learning to help build digital skills and confidence. AusPayNet has also launched a dedicated website explaining the transition, key dates and the payment options available.

The change marks the end of an era for a payment method that served Australians for generations. If you still use cheques, banks recommend speaking with your financial institution well before the deadlines to ensure there’s plenty of time to make the switch.

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