In a world dominated by cashless payments, mobile apps, and instant bank transfers, money orders might seem like a thing of the past—but they still serve an important purpose. While digital options are convenient, paper still has its place if you’re looking for a secure, physical way to make a payment. And the best part of a money order? You won’t even need to share your bank details.
In this Remitly guide, we’ll explain what a money order is, explore its pros and cons, and take you through how to fill one out safely. You’ll see how this simple and reliable service can still be useful for paying bills, sending money securely, or completing private sales.
What is a money order?
A money order is a prepaid paper payment—kind of like a cheque, but without the need for a bank account. When you buy a money order, you pay the full amount upfront (plus a small fee), and the issuer—usually Australia Post—guarantees the funds on your behalf. It’s a secure, prepaid way to send money to a specific person or company.
Money orders can be especially useful if you’re new to Australia and still waiting to set up your bank account but need to make a payment, such as a rental deposit. They’re also a good option in situations where you want to keep your financial details private, like when you’re paying rent or when you want to send money through the post.
Pros and cons of using a money order today
Like everything in life, there are pros and cons to using a money order as your payment method. Let’s see why money orders can be a great choice in 2025—and things you should consider before using one.
The pros of money orders
- They’re guaranteed: Because money orders are prepaid and issued from a trusted provider, the funds are secure and guaranteed for the recipient.
- They’re accepted for certain payments: While money orders are less common than digital transfers, they can still be used for rent, private transactions, or some government-related payments.
- They’re traceable: Receipts with barcodes and unique serial numbers allow you to keep track of the money order in case of loss or delay.
- They’re accessible: You don’t need a bank account to purchase a money order—payments can be made in cash.
You can think of them as a cross between cash and a cheque, but unlike cash, they can’t be counterfeited or easily lost.
Things to consider
- Fees: There’s a small fee for each money order you purchase.
- They must be bought in person: Money orders aren’t available online.
- They have a limit: Standard money orders have a cap of $5,000 AUD. If you want a money order for more than $20, you’ll need to present a valid ID like a driver’s license or passport.
- They’re slower than a digital transfer: Buying, mailing, and processing a money order takes more time than sending money electronically.
While money orders might not work for every occasion, like purchasing a home, they can be a great choice for smaller purchases or payments where you prefer not to share your bank details.
Where to get a money order in Australia
These days, Australia Post is the main—and pretty much the only—provider of money orders in Australia. Banks and companies like Western Union now focus on electronic payments, but you can still purchase a money order at post offices across the country.
You’ll need to purchase a money order in person, but with thousands of outlets, it’s usually a straightforward and convenient option.
Where can you send a money order?
Domestic money orders are accepted throughout Australia. If you buy one in Sydney, the recipient can cash it in Adelaide or any other location—it just needs to be physically delivered to them, either in person or by mail.
Australia Post also offers an Express Money Order service, where they send the money directly to another post office of your choice. The recipient can then pick up the money from that post office within one hour (they’ll need a photo ID). The limit for this type of money order is $10,000 AUD.
If you’re looking to send money overseas, you’ll have to consider other options. Australia Post stopped offering international money orders a while back, largely due to the rise of money transfer services and tighter AUSTRAC regulations. They now partner with Western Union to offer international money transfers, but this is different from a traditional money order.
How to purchase a money order
While you can’t purchase a money order online, the process is pretty quick and straightforward. Just bring all the necessary information with you so you can quickly fill in the form and complete the payment in one visit.
Filling out a money order step-by-step
- Write the recipient’s full name clearly and accurately (exactly as it’s written on their ID).
- Add your name and address as the sender.
- Write the amount you want the money order to be made out for.
- If there’s a memo section, you can add a note such as “October 2025 rent” if you wish.
After you’ve filled everything out correctly, you’ll pay the full amount and the fee. The money order will then be printed and issued. You’ll also receive a receipt with a unique tracking or serial number. Keep this receipt in a safe place—it’s not only your proof of purchase, but it will also help Australia Post trace or replace the money order if it’s lost or stolen.
Once the money order is issued, the details can’t be changed. As the money order is a printed document, you can’t cross out errors and rewrite a new amount or fix a name that’s been misspelled. If you make a mistake, you’ll have to request a refund or submit a form of enquiry through Australia Post.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
It’s worth taking your time when filling out your money order. Though mistakes aren’t the end of the world, they will mean extra time and paperwork to get a refund or replacement.
Common mistakes include:
- Misspelling the recipient’s name so it doesn’t match their ID on pickup
- Losing the receipt
- Having the recipient sign the money order before going to cash it in—this needs to be done in front of the cashier for it to be accepted.
- Forgetting to cash the money order within 12 months; after that, it expires, and you’ll have to apply for a refund.
Though the recipient of the money order doesn’t have to do much to receive the money, it’s best to inform them about ID requirements, signing in front of staff, and expiration dates, so they don’t have any issues.
Affordable, transparent, straightforward
Australia Post charges a service fee for each money order. The cost varies depending on whether you choose the standard or express option.
- Standard: The fee is $13 AUD for a value up to $5,000 AUD, and you’ll need to pick up and pay at your local post office.
- Express: The fee is $25 AUD for a value up to $10,000 AUD, and you can transfer the money to any local participating post office for the recipient to pick up.
While digital payments are often faster, a money order clears as soon as it’s purchased. Since it’s prepaid, there’s no waiting for a cheque or transfer to clear. This makes it a practical option when immediate payment confirmation matters.
Built-in security: why money orders are hard to beat
One of the biggest advantages of money orders is their built-in security. Each Australia Post money order has a unique serial number and barcode, which helps you track and recover your funds if it’s lost or destroyed.
Security features include:
- Watermarked paper to prevent tampering
- ID requirements for money orders over $20 AUD
- Traceable serial numbers to track money orders and ensure they make it to the correct recipient
When does using a money order make sense?
Money orders may not be the right fit for every type of payment, but they come in handy for certain situations.
Here are just a few ways to make use of a money order:
- Paying rent or a deposit when you’d rather not share your bank details
- Private sales between individuals
- Mailing money safely instead of sending cash
- Making payments when you don’t have a bank account
Overall, money orders are quick and easy. However, if convenience is your top priority, digital transfers through your bank or providers like Remitly might be the easier option. This is especially true for bigger payments or repeat bills that need to be paid each month.
The old-school payment that’s still got your back
Money orders might seem a little old-fashioned, but they offer simplicity, security, and dependability when it comes to making payments the traditional way. Australia Post continues to offer them across the country—proving their relevance even now.
While it might not be the most convenient method, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that no cheques will bounce and that fraud attempts are less likely. And if privacy is important to you in this increasingly digital world, then a money order is a good way to go.
If you want to learn about more ways to safely transfer your money, check out our other resources on the blog!
FAQs
Are money orders safer than digital transfers?
Money orders are secure in a different way. All money orders are paid upfront, are traceable, and can be cancelled or refunded if there’s an issue, so they offer strong protection against loss and fraud.
How long does it take for a money order to clear?
Once the money order is issued, funds are immediately available to the recipient when they deposit or cash it at a post office.
Can a money order be refunded or cancelled?
Yes. A money order can be refunded or cancelled as long as it hasn’t been deposited or cashed. You’ll need your original receipt for this.
Do money orders expire?
Yes, money orders with Australia Post are only valid for 12 months. If a money order expires, you can still request a refund with your original proof of purchase.