Cheques Transition Update

May 2026

The program has now firmly progressed to Phase 2 (Execution of Transition Plan), which will focus on supporting implementation and monitoring of industry’s cheques volume-reduction plans (including communication strategies), managing the orderly early exit of any APCS Members, and mitigating associated risks and concerns.

As of 1 May 2026, there are 47 Members of the APCS Framework.

Key highlights across the focus areas are outlined below:

• Member exits and industry transition monitoring: The Program is collaborating with Members that have formally notified us of their intention to exit the cheques system earlier than Treasury’s key milestone dates.
  
  AusPayNet continues to monitor usage of cheques. In calendar year 2025, we have seen a sharp decrease of approximately 30 per cent ^[1].
   
• Industry approved processes: The Program has continued to design and develop industry-approved processes especially for the handling of bank cheques post-September 2029, the end date for cheques acceptance.
   
• Use case migration strategies: The Program continues to identify alternative payment options for niche cheque use cases and develop clear, industry aligned options and communication materials to facilitate a coordinated transition.
   
• Industry Communications: The Program is currently developing a dedicated Cheques Transition Program micro (web)site, which is planned to launch in July 2026. The microsite will provide up-to-date information, guidance and relevant resources for cheques users.
   
• Stakeholder engagement: The Program continues to engage with government agencies, consumer advocacy groups and business peak bodies to raise awareness of the transition plan, ascertain key use cases and customer-segment-specific considerations, and identify any potential concerns for the Program’s consideration.
   
• Government Working Group: The Cheques Government Working Group continues to focus on developing approaches and plans for legislative amendments required to support the transition. Government agencies with high volume cheques have mobilised a dedicated team and established programs to support a transition away from their use of cheques.
   

^[1] Based on internal AusPayNet data sourced from APCS Members.