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Depending on the currency and value of the cheque, you can deposit it by ‘negotiation’ or 'collection' into your CommBank AUD or Foreign Currency Account. Both options will take time for the money to be available to you in your account.
Alternatively, ask the person to send you an International Money Transfer. You’ll get your money quicker and may also save on fees.
We essentially ‘buy the foreign currency cheque’ from you then convert it at the Deposit Foreign Cheque rate at the time of processing and deposit the AUD equivalent (minus any applicable fees) into your account immediately.
Although the money will appear in your CommBank account, we’ll send the cheque to the overseas bank that issued it. You’ll have to wait 20 calendar days for the foreign cheque to be cleared before the money is available for you to withdraw.
We’ll send the cheque to the overseas bank that issued it. Once the overseas bank ‘honours’/ accepts the cheque (which may take up to 8 weeks) we’ll convert it at the receive an International Money Transfer exchange rate and deposit the AUD equivalent (minus any applicable fees) into your account on the same day.
Occasionally the overseas bank that issued the cheque doesn’t ‘honour’/ accept the cheque when we send it back to be cleared e.g. there wasn’t enough money in the overseas account, the overseas cheque was older than 5 month, some information was incorrect or unclear.
If that happens, the value of the cheque will be converted back into the foreign currency (using the exchange rate on the day we’re notified the cheque’s been ‘dishonoured’) and deducted from your account plus any overseas bank charges1. You may lose money if this happens and the exchange rate is no longer in your favour.
Cheques can be ‘dishonoured’ after the money is withdrawn from your account (it’s not common since we put a ‘hold’ on your account until the funds have cleared), but does mean you’ll be asked to repay the money you received including any associated fees.
Explore our standard fees and charges for Foreign Cheques – all fees and amounts are quoted in Australian dollars and include GST (where applicable).
An International Bank Draft is similar to a bank cheque. It’s issued in the currency of the intended destination and suitable for personal or business use.
We offer drafts in the major currencies and accepted in over 20 countries.
When you ask us to issue an international bank draft, you’ll immediately transfer the money from your account (including associated fees) to cover the amount of the cheque.
This means an International Bank Draft can be cleared into the recipient’s account as if it was a local cheque (no need to convert it from Australian Dollars) rather than being sent back to Australia to be cleared.
You can buy an International Bank Draft at your nearest branch. Ensure the drafts are no older than 15 months when presenting them to avoid the cheque from being dishonoured.
1 Any overseas bank charges also incurred will be charged to you (e.g. dishonoured cheque)
2 Enquiries to certain countries can require follow up messages and we’re unable to provide a refund or replacement draft until money is returned. Overseas bank charges (which may vary from country to country) could apply in addition to the charges listed.
