Proposals · Glossary
What is a BSB number?
A BSB number is the six digit code that identifies an Australian bank and branch, written as XXX-XXX. Together with the account number and account name, it tells a payer where to send a bank transfer. BSB stands for bank state branch, and the codes are allocated under rules managed by AusPayNet.
For most Australian small businesses, a bank transfer is still the cheapest way to get paid. That only works if the invoice carries the BSB, account number and account name exactly right.
Indunil Asanka · Co-founder
4 min read · Published
| Code | Country or scope | Format | What it identifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSB | Australia | 6 digits, XXX-XXX | Financial institution and branch |
| Sort code | United Kingdom | 6 digits, XX-XX-XX | Bank and branch |
| SWIFT or BIC | International | 8 or 11 characters | A bank, for international transfers |
| IBAN | Europe and many other countries | Up to 34 letters and digits | A specific account, including country and bank |
What the six digits mean
A BSB identifies the financial institution and the branch that holds the account. The first digits identify the institution, and the remaining digits identify the state and branch under that institution's allocation, which is why the name is bank state branch. Online banks and newer institutions often use one BSB for every customer, so a BSB no longer always means a physical branch. AusPayNet, the industry body for Australian payments, maintains the BSB directory and publishes a lookup that is updated on the first business day of each month.
How to show it on an invoice
Print the bank details as a short block near the total: account name, BSB and account number, each on its own line. Add a reference instruction, such as asking the client to use the invoice number, so the payment can be matched. Keep the same details on every invoice; a change in bank details is the classic sign of payment redirection fraud, so if you do change accounts, tell clients by phone as well as email. For overseas clients, add the SWIFT or BIC code of your bank, because a BSB alone is not enough for an international transfer.
When a BSB is not enough
A domestic transfer in Australia needs the BSB and account number. A PayID can replace both for payments through the New Payments Platform, and some clients prefer it. An international payment needs your bank's SWIFT or BIC code and the account details, and some banks ask for an intermediary bank as well. A UK client will be used to sort codes, which look similar but are a different system, and a European client may expect an IBAN, which Australian accounts do not have.
Common mistakes
Transposed digits are the most frequent error, and a payment to a valid but wrong BSB can take days to recover. Missing the account name is the second, because some banks now check the name against the account. Printing a personal account on a business invoice is the third, and it complicates bookkeeping. The fourth is changing bank details by email only, which is exactly what scammers do.
Where it shows up in the product
Account settings have a Payments section with a bank details card whose field is prompted with account name, BSB and account number, plus optional payment instructions shown on the pay page. New invoices in the proposals module take those bank transfer details by default, and each invoice has its own bank transfer details field. The details print on the invoice and on its public pay page, beside a card option through Stripe Checkout when the owner has connected Stripe on a paid plan.
Questions people ask
Is a BSB number private information?
Not in the sense of a password. A BSB identifies a bank branch and is published in AusPayNet's directory, and you must share it for people to pay you. The risk lies in someone changing it on your invoices. Protect the invoice template and your email, and confirm any change of bank details by phone.
Can I find which bank a BSB belongs to?
Yes. AusPayNet runs a BSB lookup that shows the institution and branch name for a code. Use it to check a BSB a supplier has sent you before paying, especially if the details have changed, and to confirm your own invoices carry the right code after switching banks.
Do I need a BSB for card payments?
No. Card payments go through a payment provider, which pays the money into your bank account on its own schedule. The BSB matters for bank transfers. Many invoices offer both, card for convenience and bank transfer for clients who prefer it or want to avoid card surcharges.
What is the difference between a BSB and a PayID?
A BSB and account number identify an account directly. A PayID is an easy identifier, such as a phone number, email or ABN, linked to that account for payments through the New Payments Platform. The payer sees the registered account name before sending, which helps prevent mistakes and some scams.
What do overseas clients need to pay an Australian invoice?
They need your account name, BSB and account number, plus your bank's SWIFT or BIC code, and sometimes the bank's address. Australian accounts do not have IBANs. Ask your bank for its international transfer details, print them on invoices to overseas clients, and expect fees to be deducted along the way unless agreed otherwise.
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