Depositing physical cash or paper cheques at a Commonwealth Bank (CommBank) branch typically requires completing a deposit slip. This paper form acts as an official manual transaction record, providing the teller with the exact BSB, account number, and fund breakdown necessary to route the money accurately.
While smart ATMs and digital transfers handle the majority of everyday banking, business owners and customers lodging large volumes of mixed funds still rely on these physical slips. Filling out the document correctly before approaching the counter ensures the backend system credits your chosen account without administrative delays.
Deposit Slip Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Methods | In-branch over the counter or via express deposit boxes |
| Processing time | Cash clears on the same day; cheques typically take 3 business days |
| Eligibility | Anyone depositing funds into an active CommBank account |
| Key requirements | Correct BSB, account number, and an itemized breakdown of the funds |
Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Out the Slip
- Obtain the form: Collect a blank deposit slip from the writing desks inside any CommBank branch, or use the slips provided at the back of a physical chequebook.
- Enter the account details: Write the target account name, the 6-digit BSB, and the account number clearly at the top of the form.
- Tally the cash: Count your physical notes and coins. Enter the total value of notes in the designated 'Notes' box, and the total value of coins in the 'Coins' box.
- List your cheques: If depositing cheques, write the name of the bank, the branch (or drawer name), and the exact amount for each individual cheque on the provided lines.
- Calculate the total: Add the cash and cheque amounts together, writing the final combined figure in the 'Total Deposit' box at the bottom.
- Present to the teller: Hand the completed slip, along with the physical funds, to the branch staff for processing and collect your stamped receipt.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- MFA / Login Issues When Checking Clearance: Cause: After making a deposit, carrier network delays may prevent the NetCode SMS from reaching your phone when you try to log into the app to verify the cleared funds. Fix: Toggle your smartphone into airplane mode for ten seconds to refresh the connection to your local cell tower, then request a new code. Fallback: Call CommBank phone support at 13 2221 to securely authenticate your identity verbally and check your updated balance.
- Browser or App Errors Viewing Pending Cheques: Cause: An outdated mobile app version or a corrupted data cache causes the transaction screen to freeze when attempting to view a pending slip deposit. Fix: Force close the application, navigate to your phone's settings to clear the app cache, and restart the software. Fallback: Log into NetBank securely via a desktop web browser, as the web portal typically bypasses local device cache conflicts.
- Locked Account / ID / Access Issues at the Branch: Cause: The teller pauses the deposit process because lodging a large sum of physical cash triggers strict Anti-Money Laundering (AML) identification limits, and you do not have physical ID on hand. Fix: Verify if the teller can accept a digital ID from your government app to satisfy the compliance check. Fallback: If ID is entirely unavailable, the teller must reject the large over-the-counter lodgement; you will need to return later with a valid driver licence or passport to proceed.
Pro-Tip: Write the target BSB and account number lightly in pencil on the back of any cheques you are submitting alongside the slip. If the physical paperwork becomes separated from the cheque during the bank's backend sorting process, the clearing team can still identify where the funds belong without delaying your deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why hasn't the cheque I deposited via the slip cleared yet?
When a teller processes a deposit slip containing a cheque, the paper document must travel through the inter-bank clearing system to verify that the drawer has sufficient funds. This clearing cycle takes three full business days, during which the money appears in your account as a 'pending' or 'uncleared' balance. An exception occurs if you deposit a CommBank cheque into a CommBank account, which typically clears much faster since the funds do not leave the internal network. Your practical next step is to count three business days from the lodgement date; if the funds remain locked after this period, contact the branch with your stamped deposit receipt to trace the document.
Can I use a deposit slip to put money into someone else's CommBank account?
You can walk into a branch and use a slip to deposit money into a third party's account, provided you know their exact BSB and account number. The banking system accepts these third-party lodgements to facilitate payments to businesses or family members. However, recent banking security updates have introduced a strict limitation on anonymous cash deposits to combat financial crime. Depending on the amount, the teller will require you to present your own physical photo ID, even if you are not a CommBank customer yourself. To ensure the transaction goes smoothly, bring your driver licence to the branch and write your name in the 'Depositor' section of the slip.
What happens if I write the wrong account number on the deposit slip?
The backend routing system relies entirely on the numerical BSB and account number you provide on the form, rather than the written account name. If you write down an incorrect but mathematically valid account number, the funds will transfer directly into a stranger's account. The bank cannot automatically reverse this transaction once cleared without undergoing a formal mistaken internet payment recovery process. If you realize you made a numerical error after leaving the counter, call CommBank support immediately, provide the details from your stamped receipt, and ask them to initiate a payment trace and recovery request.
