Cancel Afterpay: The Right Way

How to cancel Afterpay in australia and take back control of your payments

Why you might want to cancel Afterpay

Afterpay is a buy-now-pay-later service that splits your purchases into four instalments across six weeks. You can use it online or with the free Afterpay Card, and if you want broader merchant acceptance and priority features, you can upgrade to Afterpay Plus for $9.99 per month. The service works well until unexpected fees appear, payment schedules become difficult to track, or you simply prefer straightforward payment methods. Understanding why you want to leave is your first step towards a clean cancellation-and Tocancel is here to guide you through every stage.

Common reasons to cancel Afterpay

You might cancel Afterpay if you've accumulated late fees (typically $10 per missed payment), prefer to avoid instalment purchases altogether, or want to stop paying the monthly Afterpay Plus subscription. Some Australian customers cancel after a promotional period ends and the charge kicks in. Others cancel because they've missed payments and lost access to their account, or because they're consolidating their payment methods into a single system. Whatever your reason, you have clear legal rights under Australian Consumer Law to exit without penalty.

Understanding your current Afterpay service

The free Afterpay service works smoothly for many users, especially if you manage your payment schedule carefully and stay within your spending limit. The paid Afterpay Plus tier, however, comes with different terms around refunds, promotional periods and re-enrolment eligibility. Knowing which service tier you're on-free or paid-is essential before you cancel, because your cancellation method and your refund entitlements differ between them. Log into your Afterpay app or website right now to confirm which plan you're using.

Your consumer rights under australian law

Australian Consumer Law gives you powerful protections when you cancel subscriptions, and Afterpay must comply with these rules.

Your right to a cooling-off period

If you signed up for Afterpay Plus-the paid subscription-you have a 14-day cooling-off period from the date of purchase. This means you can cancel and receive a full refund without penalty during this window, regardless of whether you've used the service. This right applies to most online subscriptions under the Australian Consumer Law, and Afterpay cannot charge you a cancellation fee within this timeframe. If Afterpay refuses to refund your subscription fee within 14 days of purchase, you can escalate your complaint to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).

Your right to a pro rata refund for unused time

If you cancel Afterpay Plus after the 14-day cooling-off period has expired, you're entitled to a pro rata refund-meaning a refund proportional to the days remaining in your current billing cycle. For example, if you paid $9.99 for a monthly subscription and cancel 10 days into a 30-day cycle, you should receive a refund for the 20 days you didn't use. Afterpay's standard terms sometimes limit this, but consumer law can override unfair or restrictive clauses if they contradict your statutory rights. If Afterpay refuses to calculate and issue your pro rata refund, Tocancel recommends you lodge a formal complaint with AFCA.

Your right to dispute unauthorised charges

If Afterpay continues to charge you after you've cancelled, or if charges appear that you didn't authorise, you can dispute them with your bank under the ePayments Code. Your bank can reverse unauthorised or erroneous charges within strict timeframes-typically within 45 days of the charge appearing on your statement. Keep records of your cancellation confirmation email, screenshots of your account settings, and any written correspondence with Afterpay as evidence. This documentation is your legal protection if the dispute escalates.

Your legal position: plain language

In short, Afterpay cannot trap you in a subscription or charge you after you've cancelled. You have the right to exit, claim unused fees, and dispute unauthorised charges through your bank or AFCA. Afterpay's terms cannot remove these rights-they are guaranteed by Australian Consumer Law and enforced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

How to cancel Afterpay step by step

Cancellation happens in two parts: clearing any outstanding balance from purchases, then formally closing your account or cancelling your subscription tier. Follow these steps to exit cleanly and confirm your cancellation in writing.

Cancelling through the Afterpay app or website

Most Afterpay cancellations start in the app or on Afterpay's website. This method is the fastest and leaves you with an immediate digital confirmation.

1. Open the Afterpay app on your phone or go to afterpay.com in a web browser
   • On iPhone or Android, tap your profile icon (usually bottom right)
   • On the website, click "My Account" or "Account Settings"
2. Look for a "Subscriptions" or "Membership" section
   • If you're on Afterpay Plus, you'll see an active subscription listed with the $9.99 monthly charge
   • If you're on free Afterpay, skip to step 4
3. Tap "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Plan"
   • Afterpay will ask you to confirm the cancellation
   • Select your reason for cancellation (optional, but helps Afterpay understand customer concerns)
   • Confirm the cancellation by tapping "Yes, cancel"
4. Check that your confirmation message says "Subscription cancelled" or "Plan downgraded to free"
   • Screenshot this confirmation and save it to your phone or computer
   • Afterpay should send you a confirmation email within 24 hours
5. Pay off any outstanding purchases before your next scheduled payment date
   • Log back into your account and check your "Schedule" or "Upcoming Payments"
   • Pay early if possible to avoid late fees
6. Wait for your final payment to clear, then verify your account balance is zero
   • Once all purchases are paid, your account is closed
   • Keep your cancellation confirmation and final account statement as proof

Cancelling by post (formal account closure)

If you've experienced problems with Afterpay or want a formal written record of your cancellation, send a letter to Afterpay's official address. This method is slower but creates a legal paper trail that protects you if disputes arise later.

1. Write a letter on plain paper or typed document that includes:
   • Your full name and the email address or phone number linked to your Afterpay account
   • Your Afterpay customer ID (visible in your app under "Account" or "Help")
   • The date you want your account closed
   • A clear statement: "I request formal closure of my Afterpay account effective immediately"
   • Your signature (or a typed name if posting digitally)
2. Send your letter by post to:
   • Afterpay, GPO Box 2269, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
   • Include a return address so Afterpay can send you a written confirmation
3. Keep a copy of your letter and take a photo of the envelope before posting
   • This is your evidence if Afterpay later claims it never received your request
4. Wait 5 to 10 business days for Afterpay to acknowledge your request in writing
   • If you don't hear back, contact Afterpay's customer service via the app and reference your letter date
5. Pay any outstanding balance before your account closure takes effect
   • Afterpay will still charge you for scheduled payments until all purchases are cleared

What to do if Afterpay refuses to cancel

If you've followed the steps above and Afterpay refuses to cancel your subscription or continues to charge you, you have formal remedies. First, contact Afterpay's customer service through the app and ask for written confirmation of your cancellation request. If Afterpay still refuses, lodge a formal complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) at afca.org.au. AFCA handles disputes between financial service providers and consumers, and they can order Afterpay to refund you or stop charging you. You can also report Afterpay to the ACCC if you believe the service is engaging in unfair contract terms or misleading conduct-Tocancel recommends keeping all evidence of your cancellation attempts for this purpose.

Understanding Afterpay fees and costs

Below is a table of Afterpay's main fees and charges in Australia so you know exactly what you may still owe when you cancel.

Your refund rights when you cancel

Your refund depends on which Afterpay service you're cancelling and when you cancel relative to your purchase or subscription date.

Refunds for Afterpay plus subscribers

If you cancel Afterpay Plus within 14 days of purchase, you receive a full refund of your $9.99 subscription fee. If you cancel after 14 days, Afterpay calculates a pro rata refund based on the days you didn't use. For example, if you paid $9.99 on the 1st of the month and cancel on the 11th, you've used 10 days out of 30, so you should receive a refund for the remaining 20 days-approximately $6.66. Tocancel recommends requesting this refund in writing to Afterpay if the app doesn't calculate it automatically, as some customers report delays or missing refunds.

Refunds for free Afterpay users

If you're on free Afterpay with no active subscription, you won't receive a refund-there's no fee to refund. However, you must clear any outstanding purchase instalments before your account closes. If you've overpaid or made extra payments, Afterpay will either refund the surplus to your original payment method within 10 business days, or offer you account credit. Request a refund to your bank account rather than account credit to ensure the money returns to you cleanly.

How long refunds take

Afterpay typically processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days after you cancel. Your bank may take a further 2 to 5 business days to credit the refund to your account. If you don't see your refund after 15 business days, contact Afterpay immediately with your cancellation confirmation and request a refund status update. Tocancel advises keeping all correspondence as evidence for AFCA if the refund never arrives.

What happens after you cancel Afterpay

Cancelling Afterpay is not instant, and understanding the aftermath helps you avoid accidental re-activation or missed charges.

Your account access after cancellation

After you cancel, your Afterpay account remains visible in the app for at least 30 days, but you cannot make new purchases. You can still view your payment history, download receipts, and track your final instalments. Do not delete the app immediately-keep it installed until you've confirmed all payments have cleared and your refund has appeared in your bank account. Once your account balance reaches zero and your refund posts, you can safely delete the app.

Checking your statement for lingering charges

Monitor your bank statement for the next 30 days after cancellation. Look for any charges labelled "Afterpay", "APY", or the merchant names of stores where you used Afterpay. If you see charges after your cancellation confirmation date, contact your bank immediately and dispute them under the ePayments Code. Your bank can reverse unauthorised charges within 45 days, and Tocancel recommends taking screenshots of your bank statement and Afterpay cancellation confirmation to support your dispute claim.

Reactivating Afterpay later (if you change your mind)

If you cancel Afterpay and later want to use it again, you can reactivate your account by logging back into the app or website and re-enabling the service. However, Afterpay may require a new credit check or may temporarily limit your spending if you cancelled due to missed payments. If you cancelled Afterpay Plus, you'll need to pay the $9.99 subscription fee again to restore that tier. Tocancel notes that some customers face re-enrolment delays or eligibility restrictions after cancellation, so budget extra time if you plan to reactivate.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Cancellation is simple when you know what to avoid, but one wrong move can leave you with lingering charges or lost refunds-and that's stressful.

Mistake 1: not paying your outstanding balance before cancelling

If you cancel while you still have scheduled payments due, Afterpay will continue to charge you until all instalments are paid in full. Cancelling your subscription does not erase your purchase debt. Pay off your entire balance through the app before you cancel, or your account will remain active and subject to late fees if you miss a payment. Check your "Upcoming Payments" section and pay everything off first.

Mistake 2: confusing subscription cancellation with account closure

Cancelling Afterpay Plus (the $9.99 subscription) is not the same as closing your entire Afterpay account. If you downgrade to free Afterpay, you can still make purchases-you just won't pay the monthly fee. If you want to stop using Afterpay completely, you must formally close your account in addition to cancelling the subscription. Use the postal method or contact customer service to confirm full account closure.

Mistake 3: deleting the app without confirming your refund

Many customers delete the Afterpay app immediately after cancelling, then forget to check whether their refund arrived. Without access to your account history, you won't know if Afterpay processed your refund or if it's still pending. Keep the app installed for at least 30 days and log in weekly to verify your account balance is zero and your refund has posted to your bank.

Mistake 4: not keeping cancellation proof

If you cancel in the app and don't screenshot your confirmation message, you'll have no evidence if Afterpay later claims you never cancelled and charges you again. Always save your cancellation confirmation email and take a screenshot of the in-app cancellation message. Store these in a folder on your phone or computer labelled "Afterpay Cancellation" for future reference. This proof is essential if you need to dispute charges or escalate to AFCA.

Mistake 5: not checking your bank statement after cancelling

Some customers cancel Afterpay but don't monitor their bank statement for the following month. Afterpay sometimes continues charging despite cancellation, especially if your cancellation request was processed late in the billing cycle. Check your statement weekly for the first 30 days after cancellation and dispute any unauthorised charges immediately.

Comparison table: Afterpay vs. other payment options in australia

If you're cancelling Afterpay, you might be considering alternative payment methods. Below is a comparison of Afterpay against other popular buy-now-pay-later services and payment options available to Australian consumers.

Summary and next steps

Cancelling Afterpay in Australia is straightforward when you follow the legal framework and understand your rights. You have the right to exit within 14 days of purchase (for Afterpay Plus), claim pro rata refunds for unused time, dispute unauthorised charges, and escalate complaints to AFCA if Afterpay refuses to cooperate. The fastest cancellation method is through the app or website; the most formal method is by post to GPO Box 2269, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia. Always clear your outstanding balance first, save your cancellation confirmation, monitor your bank statement for 30 days, and request a written refund if one is due.

Your next step is to log into your Afterpay account right now and identify which service tier you're on (free or Plus). Then follow the cancellation steps above for your chosen method-app, website, or postal cancellation. If Afterpay refuses to cancel or refund you after you've tried these steps, lodge a complaint with AFCA at afca.org.au or report the issue to the ACCC at accc.gov.au. Tocancel has helped thousands of Australian consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover lost refunds, and you have clear legal rights to do the same. Take action today, keep your evidence, and don't let a subscription hold you back from financial control.

Contact address for formal cancellation requests

Afterpay
GPO Box 2269
Melbourne, VIC 3001
Australia

For complaints and disputes, contact the Australian Financial Complaints Authority at afca.org.au or call 1800 931 678.