

Still waiting on a NAB refund?
Can you get a refund from NAB? Check eligibility first
You may be eligible for a refund from NAB (National Australia Bank) if you experience any of the following scenarios:
- Fraud or Unauthorised Transactions: If your card or account was used without your permission and you didn’t contribute to the loss (e.g. by sharing your PIN), NAB will refund the money after an investigation. This is backed by the ePayments Code and NAB’s adherence to Visa/Mastercard Zero Liability.
- Bank Errors: If NAB charges incorrect fees, calculates interest wrong, or makes a transaction error, they’ll generally issue a refund—either proactively (through their remediation program) or on request.
- Disputed Purchases: You can dispute debit or credit card charges where goods or services weren’t delivered, were faulty, or the charge was incorrect. NAB facilitates these as chargebacks.
- Mistaken Payments: If you send money to the wrong person/account, NAB can request a recall, but this isn’t guaranteed and depends on how quickly you report it and whether the recipient cooperates.
- Product or Fee Cancellations: For some products (like annual credit card fees), NAB may offer a pro-rata refund if cancelled early. First-year fees usually aren’t refunded unless unused.
- Scams: If you were tricked into authorising a payment (e.g. by a scammer), NAB may still assist with recovery or provide goodwill refunds, but these are case-by-case and not guaranteed.
You won’t get a refund for:
- Change-of-mind transactions
- Authorised payments (even if later regretted)
- Missed dispute deadlines
- Transactions where you were found negligent
How to get a refund from NAB
To request a refund or dispute a transaction:
- Identify the Transaction: Note the amount, date, and reason for the dispute.
- Lodge via NAB App or Internet Banking:
- Go to the relevant transaction in your NAB app or online banking.
- Select “Dispute transaction” or “Report a problem”.
- Follow the prompts and submit your request.
- Go to the relevant transaction in your NAB app or online banking.
- Alternatively, Call or Use a Form:
- Call NAB’s 24/7 support at 13 22 65.
- Download and submit the Transaction Dispute Form (PDF) for specific cases.
- Call NAB’s 24/7 support at 13 22 65.
- Provide Supporting Evidence:
- Include emails, receipts, proof of cancellation, or delivery failure as needed.
- For fraud, you’ll usually need to confirm that the transaction wasn’t yours.
- Include emails, receipts, proof of cancellation, or delivery failure as needed.
For fee or remediation refunds, simply call NAB or send a secure message via internet banking. For mistaken payments, call immediately to freeze or recover funds before they’re withdrawn.
NAB’s refund timeframe - how long it takes
Refund times vary based on the type of claim:
- Card Disputes: Most are resolved within 30–45 days, but can take up to 120 days for complex cases. Provisional refunds may be issued within days in fraud cases.
- Mistaken Payments: Often resolved within 1–2 weeks if reported quickly. Later reports may take longer or fail if the recipient doesn’t cooperate.
- BPAY or Direct Debit Disputes: Usually resolved within 10–20 business days.
- Remediation Refunds: Can take a few weeks to months depending on when NAB contacts you and confirms your details.
You’ll typically be notified via NAB’s app, secure message centre, or email. You can also check dispute status by typing “dispute status” into the app chat assistant.
NAB’s refund methods - how you'll get your money back
NAB typically issues refunds via:
- Direct Credit to Your Account: The most common method. Funds are returned to the original NAB account or card.
- Alternative Account Transfer: If your original account is closed, NAB may ask for new account details (even from another bank).
- Cheque: A last-resort option if no valid account is available.
- Original Payment Method: For merchant-initiated refunds, funds go back to your card or account.
- No Cash Refunds: All refunds are electronic or via cheque. There are no over-the-counter payouts.
Refunds are processed in the original transaction currency (typically AUD), and NAB does not charge any fees for processing refunds.
Common refund issues with NAB
Watch out for these common pitfalls:
- Slow Dispute Timelines: Chargebacks can take weeks or months, especially if merchants contest the claim.
- Incomplete Documentation: Not providing receipts or communication with the merchant can stall your case.
- Missed Dispute Windows: Most card disputes must be lodged within 120 days. Report issues ASAP.
- Customer Negligence Determinations: If NAB finds you breached security (e.g. shared login details), they may deny refunds.
- Refunds to Closed Accounts: If your account is closed, you might miss a refund. Update your contact details with NAB.
- Unexpected Refund Amounts: Currency shifts or fee adjustments may lead to minor differences.
- Communication Gaps: Refund cheques or notifications might be missed if NAB has outdated info.
If a refund is denied unfairly or takes too long, escalate a complaint to AFCA (Australian Financial Complaints Authority) after raising the issue with NAB’s Resolutions Team.
NAB cases submitted through Ajust
Customer experiences with NAB refund cases
Case 1 – Quick Fraud Refund: A Perth customer spotted a $1,400 fraudulent charge and received a provisional credit within 3–4 days after reporting it.
Case 4 – Annual Fee Refund: A customer cancelling a credit card in year two received a full refund of the annual fee within days.
Case 5 – Home Loan Remediation: NAB refunded offset interest errors automatically, depositing money into affected customers’ accounts.
How NAB Refund Policy Compares to Competitors
- Speed: NAB resolves many fraud cases quickly, but some say ANZ and CBA issue provisional refunds faster.
- Dispute Tools: NAB’s app-based process is on par with CBA and ANZ for ease of use.
- Fee Refunds: NAB is usually fair, especially on errors or first-time fee charges. Smaller banks like ING may go further with goodwill gestures.
- Scam Support: NAB offers support but may not refund scams where you authorised the payment. Westpac has newer features to block such payments.
- Credit Card Fee Policies: NAB may refund second-year annual fees but not first-year. Amex is more generous with pro-rata refunds on cancellation.
- Remediation Programs: NAB has proactively refunded millions in recent years for errors, keeping pace with other big banks post-Royal Commission.
In short: NAB’s refund outcomes are solid, even if the process can be slower. They meet industry standards and have dedicated teams, but some smaller banks and rivals might feel faster or more communicative in practice.
Official NAB Refund Resources & Links
NAB Refund FAQs
Can I get a refund from NAB for a mistaken payment?
Yes, you can get a refund from NAB if you sent money to the wrong account-but it's not guaranteed. NAB can request a recall, but success depends on how quickly you report it and whether the recipient agrees to return the funds. For the best chance, contact NAB immediately so they can freeze or recover the money before it’s withdrawn.
How long does it take to get a refund from NAB?
NAB refund times vary by case type-card disputes may take 30-45 days, but some fraud cases get provisional refunds in days. Mistaken payments resolve fastest if reported early (1-2 weeks), while BPAY and direct debit issues take 10-20 business days. Complex cases or those needing merchant responses can take up to 120 days.
What can delay or deny a refund from NAB?
Refunds may be delayed or denied if you miss dispute deadlines, provide incomplete documents, or are found negligent (like sharing your PIN). Keep your NAB account open and contact details updated, as closed accounts or outdated info can also block refunds. Always act quickly and supply strong evidence.
What’s the fastest way to get a refund from NAB?
The fastest way to get a NAB refund is through their app or internet banking-just select the transaction, choose “Dispute,” and follow the prompts. For fraud or urgent errors, call NAB directly at 13 22 65. Providing clear proof-like receipts or cancellation emails-helps speed things up.
You deserve your money back, don’t let it slip away.
Take two minutes to file a formal
NAB
refund request that gets seen.