Cancelling direct debits

What is a direct debit?

Here's how to work out if the payment you've set up is a recurring payment or a direct debit.

Recurring payment

A recurring payment will have been set up from your credit card or debit card. If you set up a recurring payment, you’ll need to contact the merchant directly to cancel this type of payment.

Direct debit

A direct debit will have been set up from one of your bank accounts such as a savings or transaction account. If you need to cancel a direct debit, we can help you with this. Follow these steps.

Get your payment and merchant details ready

To submit a cancellation request, we'll need the following details of the direct debit:

• full account name
• BSB
• account number
• merchant name
• merchant ID
• lodgement reference number
• date of last debit
• payment amount

You can find these details on your latest account statement that shows the direct debit. If you can’t find a paper or electronic statement in your inbox, you can login to Internet Banking, opens in new window and request a statement.

Ways you can cancel your direct debit

Once you have your details ready, you can request cancellation of your direct debit. You can do this online, over the phone, or by visiting a branch.

Cancel your direct debit online

To submit the online Direct Debit Cancellation Request, you’ll need to enter your NAB Internet Banking sign on details so we can authenticate you for security purposes.

If you haven’t done so already, you can register for NAB Internet Banking.

Once you’ve registered for Internet Banking and have the sign on details, you can submit the Direct Debit Cancellation Request. 

After you submit your request online

After you’ve submitted the request we’ll block the direct debit within two business days. We’ll let the merchant know that the direct debit has been cancelled, and we’ll also confirm our cancellation of your direct debits with you via email.

If you have a joint account, it’s best if you give us a call to request cancellation of these direct debits. Please also call us if you have direct debits which cover more than one service from the same merchant (e.g. multiple insurance policies from the one provider).

Cancel your direct debit over the phone

If you’re having trouble submitting the online cancellation form, or it’s a complicated request, give us a call to cancel your direct debit.

Cancelling your direct debit in a branch

You can visit us in a branch or at a business banking centre to cancel a direct debit. You’ll need to fill out and submit the direct debit cancellation form to us when you’re in the branch. 

To make the process faster you can print and fill out the direct debit cancellation form (PDF, 101KB), opens in new window, at home and bring it with you.

Important things to know about cancelling direct debits

There are some other steps you may need to take before your payment arrangement is cancelled. Please read carefully.

Your contract with the merchant

Cancelling your direct debit does not cancel your contract with the merchant. 

If you still have a valid contract with a merchant and you’ve cancelled a direct debit, you’ll need to make alternate payment arrangements with them. Or if you no longer require their services, you’ll have to cancel your agreement with them where possible.

Payment arrangements with us

If you’re trying to cancel a direct debit for a NAB home loan, NAB personal loan, NAB credit card or NAB business lending facility, the easiest thing to do is to call us with the relevant details.

Joint accounts

If you have a direct debit coming from a joint account (which requires all account holders to sign or authorise), you’ll need all account holders to cancel the direct debit. Joint account holders can do this together over the phone or by coming into a branch.

Timeframe

We’ll process an online direct debit cancellation request within two business days. If your next direct debit is due in the next two business days, call us or come in to a branch to escalate cancelling your direct debit before it applies to your account.