Debit Card Daily Withdrawal Limit: What Each Australian Bank Actually Allows

August 22, 2026 4 Min Read

A viral news story from late 2024 still circulates whenever this topic comes up. It compares ANZ, CBA, NAB, and Westpac at a single moment in time. Rates and limits move on. Here’s a clearer, current picture of debit card daily withdrawal limits across Australia’s major banks, including one figure that’s much higher than the rest.

Quick Answer: Debit Card Daily Withdrawal Limits

Most major Australian banks cap cash withdrawals around $2,000 per debit card per day. NAB, Westpac, and Bankwest all confirm a $2,000 daily cash limit on their own support pages. ANZ raised its limit from $1,000 to $2,500 in a widely-reported change back in November 2024. Macquarie also caps cash withdrawals at $2,000. It separately allows a much larger $30,000 daily payment limit for other transactions. CBA doesn’t publish a specific figure on its public support pages. Check the app or call to confirm your exact limit.

Debit Card Daily Withdrawal Limit by Bank

Sourced directly from each bank’s own support pages, checked 20 August 2026:

Bank	Daily cash withdrawal limit
ANZ	$2,500 (raised from $1,000 in Nov 2024)
NAB	$2,000
Westpac	$2,000
Bankwest	$2,000
Macquarie	$2,000
CBA	Not published — check via app or call

These figures apply to standard personal debit cards. You can usually adjust them within these caps through your bank’s app or online banking, if your account allows it.

Cash Withdrawal Limit vs. Payment Limit: They’re Different Numbers

Bank support pages often blur two separate figures together. It’s easy to assume they’re the same thing. They’re not.

Your cash withdrawal limit covers ATM withdrawals and cash-out at EFTPOS terminals. Your daily payment limit covers everything else — in-store purchases, online payments, and transfers made with the card. For most banks in this comparison, both figures sit close to $2,000. Macquarie is the exception. Its cash withdrawal limit matches everyone else at $2,000. Its total daily payment limit, though, runs up to $30,000 — fifteen times higher. That gap matters if you regularly make large purchases or business payments on your personal debit card. It’s a distinction most bank support pages don’t spell out clearly.

Why the ANZ “$2,500” Figure Still Gets Cited

A November 2024 news story reported ANZ raising its Visa Debit daily cash withdrawal limit from $1,000 to $2,500. That put it ahead of CBA, NAB, and Westpac at the time. The story still surfaces whenever people search this topic, but it captures a single moment nearly two years ago. Bank limits can change again without the same media coverage. Before relying on any cited figure, including the ones in this article, confirm the current number directly in your banking app.

Why CBA’s Limit Is Harder to Find

Unlike NAB, Westpac, Bankwest, and Macquarie, Commonwealth Bank doesn’t show a specific withdrawal limit figure on its public support content. The support page exists and explains the concept, but it doesn’t state the number. If you bank with CBA and want your exact daily cash withdrawal limit, check the CommBank app under your card settings. You can also call the bank directly. Don’t assume a figure quoted elsewhere applies to your account.

Can You Increase Your Debit Card Withdrawal Limit?

Most banks let you adjust your daily limit downward for security. Some let you go upward too, within a set maximum, through your banking app or online banking. Some banks also let you temporarily raise limits for a large purchase or trip, then revert automatically. If you regularly need more cash than your default limit allows, check your app settings first. Don’t assume you’re stuck at the standard figure.

What This Means for Everyday Use

For most people, a $2,000 daily cash withdrawal limit sits well above typical need. It exists mainly as a fraud-protection measure. It caps how much a stolen card or PIN could be used to withdraw in one day. If you’re planning a large cash purchase, moving between banks, or traveling, check your specific limit in advance. Don’t wait to discover it at the ATM.

FAQ: Debit Card Daily Withdrawal Limits

What is the daily cash withdrawal limit on a typical Australian debit card?
Most major banks cap it around $2,000 per card per day, with ANZ at $2,500 following a November 2024 increase.

Is the daily payment limit the same as the cash withdrawal limit?
No. The payment limit covers purchases, online payments, and transfers, and can be much higher — Macquarie’s payment limit runs up to $30,000, well above its $2,000 cash withdrawal limit.

What is CBA’s debit card daily withdrawal limit?
CBA doesn’t publish a specific figure on its public support pages. Check the CommBank app or call to confirm your exact limit.

Can I increase my debit card’s daily withdrawal limit?
Often yes, within a set maximum, through your bank’s app or online banking. Some banks allow temporary increases for large purchases or travel.

Why do debit cards have daily withdrawal limits at all?
Mainly for fraud protection — capping how much a stolen card or compromised PIN could be used to withdraw in a single day.