A guide to cancelling your direct debits from a bank account - NAB

What is a direct debit?

A direct debit is a regular payment that you set up from a transaction or savings account to pay a merchant. When you agree to a direct debit arrangement, you give the merchant the authority to debit your account.

A direct debit is commonly set up to pay things like utility bills, subscriptions, gym memberships and more.

Important things to know about cancelling direct debits

Credit and debit cards

Scheduled payments from your credit or debit card account are called recurring payments. We’re unable to cancel these arrangements and you’ll need to contact the merchant directly.

Joint accounts

If your direct debit is set up on a joint transaction or savings account which requires all account holders to sign or authorise, all account holders will need to call us or go to a branch together with valid ID to cancel the direct debit.

Merchant contracts

Cancelling your direct debit through us does not cancel your contract with the merchant. To cancel your contract, or to make alternative payment arrangements, contact the merchant directly.

Information you’ll need to have ready

To cancel a direct debit from your NAB transaction or savings account, we need the following details.

  • Full account name.
  • BSB and account number.
  • Merchant name.
  • Direct Debit User ID (This is the 6-digit number that appears on your statement).
  • Lodgement reference number.
  • Date of last debit.
  • Payment amount.

You can find these details on your latest account statement that shows the direct debit. Can’t find your statement? Log into NAB Internet Banking to download a statement.

Ways to cancel your direct debit

Once you have your details ready, you can request cancellation of your direct debit from your NAB savings or transaction account online, over the phone, or by visiting a branch.

 

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. 

If your next direct debit is due in the next two business days, call us or come into a branch to cancel your direct debit before it applies to your account.

Over the phone

Call or message us if:

  • you’re unable to submit a cancellation request online
  • you have a joint transaction or savings account
  • your direct debit payment is for a NAB home loan, NAB personal loan, NAB credit card or NAB business lending facility
  • you have direct debits covering more than one service from the same merchant (e.g. multiple insurance policies from the one provider).

In 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 the direct debit cancellation form before you arrive at the branch.

Print and complete the direct debit cancellation form (PDF, 101KB), at home and bring it with you.


What happens next?

After you’ve submitted the request, we’ll:

  1. block the direct debit within two business days
  2. let the merchant know that the direct debit has been cancelled
  3. confirm our cancellation of your direct debits with you via email.
Remember, cancelling your direct debit doesn’t cancel a contract you have with the merchant. To cancel your contract or make alternative payment arrangements, contact the merchant directly.

Help and support

How to set up regular payments

Schedule and modify a regular online domestic payment using our simple instruction guide.

Switch regular payments to your new account

Simple steps to switch your payments to your new NAB bank accounts.

Transfer money to someone as a one-off payment

Need to make a one-off payment? Simply pay to a PayID® or BSB and account number using online banking.
View all payments and transfers guides

Contact us

Message us online

NAB Messaging is available to answer your questions in a secure environment.

  1. Log into NAB Internet Banking or the NAB app. 
  2. Select the NAB Messaging icon.
  3. Select Start Conversation.
Learn more about NAB Messaging

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Call us securely from the NAB app to skip the identification process and get connected with who you need.

  1. Log into the NAB app.
  2. Tap the Search icon.
  3. Search for ‘call’.
  4. Tap Contact us.
Learn more about calling from the NAB app

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