An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of fly-ash(FA) as a fine aggregate on filling performance. The effect of FA content on the gradation distribution and compactness of the dry mixture is tested. Slump, bleeding rate, and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of cemented waste rock-FA backfill (CWFB) samples were also tested at different FA content, solids content, and cement-sand ratio conditions. Results show that FA as a fine aggregate can effectively improve the mixture gradation performance. Short-term (3d/7d) strength increases with FA content, while long-term (28d) strength and slump first increase and then decrease, reaching a maximum value of 8.58 MPa and 27.4 cm respectively at 30% FA content. The bleeding rate first decreased and then stabilized (about 5.2%) with FA content. The UCS showed higher sensitivity to high solid content. The slump reduction rate of samples with high FA content decreases with solid content. Larger cement content will weaken the fluidity. When the cement-sand ratio increased from 1:6–1:4, the slump decreased from 27.5 cm to 23.5 cm, and the bleeding rate decreased to 4.05%. However, the mechanical properties are significantly improved with cement content. This study has positive implications for recycling the FA. •CWFB is made of water, waste rock, fly-ash, and cement.•The bleeding, slump, and mechanical properties of the CWFB were observed.•The early strength of CWFB samples increased slowly with the FA content.•Soil grading theory cannot accurately evaluate the mixed aggregates.•This study has positive implications for recycling the FA.