PayID FAQs

About PayID

What is a PayID?

A PayID is an easy-to-remember piece of information such as your mobile number or email address that’s linked to your bank account, that you can use to receive payments. Businesses can also use their ABN or Organisation Identifier as their PayID.

You can create a PayID in your online banking.

How long do payments to a PayID take to process?

Payments to a PayID are sent through Osko, which means payments will typically be sent fast in under a minute, even between different financial institutions. Some payments to a PayID may be held for security purposes. Contact your financial institution for more information.

Is PayID safe?

PayID can be accessed in the online banking of over 100 financial institutions. This means the same level of security that protects your existing bank account payments will also protect payments made using a PayID. The personal details you use to create your PayID is protected by your financial institution’s privacy policy.

PayID also has an extra layer of security, which can help protect you from scam, fraud or mistaken payments. When sending money to a PayID, you’ll be shown the name of the person or business registered to the PayID before you hit send.

Who offers PayID?

PayID is available in the online banking of participating financial institutions. Check to see if your financial institution offers PayID via the institution finder.

What’s the difference between Confirmation of Payee and PayID?

PayID and Confirmation of Payee are services from AP+ that can help reduce mistaken payments and scams.

A PayID is a unique identifier linked to a bank account that makes sending and receiving money easy. Instead of using a BSB and account number, you can use a PayID, such as a mobile number, email address or ABN. When you send money to a PayID, you’ll see the name of the person or business it’s linked to, helping ensure your money goes to the right place.

Confirmation of Payee works with BSB and account numbers. It checks the account name, BSB, and account number you’ve entered against the details held by the recipient’s bank and displays a match outcome.

Both services add a layer of security to payments made in your online banking.

Which PayID option is right for my business or organisation?

Use your own PayID

May be suitable for sole traders and small businesses that want to receive fast payments using a mobile number, email, ABN or Organisation Identifier.

Use PayID as a receivables solution

May be suitable for businesses and organisations that need a more efficient way to collect, manage, or reconcile payments. This allows them to generate unique email PayIDs for their customers to pay.

Creating and managing a PayID

How do I create a PayID?

PayIDs can be created in your online banking for eligible accounts. Check to see if your financial institution offers PayID via the institution finder.

How many accounts can I link my PayID to?

A PayID can only be linked to one account. However, you can create multiple PayIDs and link it to either the same account, a different account or with a different financial institution. For example, you can use your mobile number as a PayID with one account and your email address as a PayID with another account.

I can’t remember which account I linked my PayID to

PayIDs are managed by the financial institutions you registered them with. If you can't find these details, contact your main financial institution who can help locate where your PayID is linked to.

I tried to create a PayID, but I’ve been told it’s already registered

Check with each of the financial institutions you have an account with and if you can't find these details, contact your main financial institution who can help locate where your PayID is linked to.

How do I move my PayID to another account or financial institution?

Log in to your online banking where your PayID is registered and look for the option to move or transfer your PayID to another account or financial institution. If you can’t find this, please contact your financial institution.

Why does my name appear when someone pays my PayID? Can I create one without showing my name?

When you create a PayID, some banks will give you a few options for how your name will be displayed. Creating a PayID is optional, and some financial institutions may already have a pre-registered PayID for new account holders.

When someone sends money to your PayID, your name will be shown, so the payer can check they are paying the right person before they hit send, which can help avoid scam, fraud or mistaken payments.

Can someone create a PayID using my personal information?

PayIDs are created and managed in your online banking, which requires a number of verification steps. If you believe someone is using your details as their PayID, please contact your financial institution.

I want to close my PayID

PayIDs can be managed and deregistered in your online banking. If you are having trouble closing your account, please contact your financial institution.

Using PayID to send and receive money

How do I send and receive money using PayID?

PayID is accessed in your online banking. To make a payment, enter the payee’s PayID. The name linked to the PayID will be displayed for you to confirm before you send money.

To receive money, share your PayID with the person paying you.

A person sent money to my PayID, but it hasn’t arrived.

Payments to your PayID should arrive in under a minute if they have been sent to the correct PayID. Some payments may be subject to security checks which could delay a payment. Contact your financial institution for more information.

People are having trouble sending money to my PayID

Your PayID may be locked and subject to a security investigation. Please contact your financial institution for more information.

Are there limits on PayID payments?

Financial institutions may implement daily limits for bank account payments, which also includes payments sent to a PayID. Check with your financial institution what these limits are, as they may vary between financial institutions.

I have seen PayID as a payment method for some businesses online

You’ll start to see PayID being offered as a payment method across many businesses and organisations. A unique PayID will be generated for you, typically an email address, that’s linked to the business or organisation.

Simply enter the PayID in your online banking as you would when you’re paying someone. You should be shown the name of the organisation or business registered to the PayID before you hit send.

You should check the business or organisation you’re paying is legitimate before you send a payment, regardless of the payment method you choose to use.

I’ve been given an email PayID to make a payment to a business. How does this work?

Paying a business using a PayID works the same way as paying to any other PayID.
The business or organisation will generate a unique email format PayID, typically provided at online checkout or on an invoice. This helps them identify your payment and match it to your order, bill, or account.
How to pay using a unique email PayID

Copy the unique email PayID
Log in to your online banking and head to where you make payments
Make a payment using the PayID, and check the PayID name shown before you proceed.
Enter the amount, then pay.

Be scam aware

I think I've been scammed, what do I do?

Please contact your financial institution. You should also report scam or fraudulent payments to the police. For more information and support on how you can protect yourself against scams and fraud, visit Scamwatch here.

Australian law enforcement officials may contact us via [email protected] Only enquiries from an official Australian law enforcement department will be answered.

I received an email or text message from PayID.

We are aware of emails and text messages claiming to come from PayID. PayIDs are managed by your financial institution and we will never contact you directly. That means any messages from PayID asking you to send money or receive money, or to ‘upgrade’ to a business account, are a scam.

If you believe you have been scammed, please contact your financial institution and report it to the police.

I’d like to use PayID, but I don’t want to hand out my personal information to strangers.

PayID lets you receive money in your online banking fast, using a piece of information such as a mobile number or email address. You should never share your personal information with people you don’t trust.

Someone I don’t know accidentally sent money to my PayID. What do I do?

You should never return money to someone you don’t know. Please contact your financial institution if someone you don’t know has sent money to your account.

AP+ acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora nation as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we are based and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' ongoing connection to the lands and waters of Australia and thank them for their pivotal role in caring for Country. Always was and always will be Aboriginal Land.

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