One of the simplest and most impactful changes you can make to get paid faster is to include your bank details on every invoice. Here is why it matters, how to do it, and what PayID is.
Why bank details on invoices matter
When a client receives an invoice without bank details, they have to pause the payment process to find out how to pay you. This might mean searching old emails, calling you, or just putting the invoice aside until they sort it out. Every friction point delays payment.
Including your BSB and account number, or PayID, on the invoice itself removes that friction entirely. The client can pay immediately after opening the invoice — no extra steps required. Research by various accounting platforms suggests invoices with payment details get paid significantly faster than those without.
What is a BSB?
BSB stands for Bank State Branch. It is a 6-digit number that identifies your bank and branch. Together with your account number, the BSB allows anyone to transfer money directly to your bank account via internet banking or bank transfer. Your BSB and account number appear on your bank statements or within your bank's internet banking app.
What is PayID?
PayID is Australia's real-time payment identifier system, introduced as part of the New Payments Platform (NPP). Instead of sharing a BSB and account number, you can link a simpler identifier — your mobile phone number, email address, or ABN — to your bank account.
When someone pays via PayID, the funds transfer almost immediately (typically within seconds) rather than the 1–3 business days of a standard bank transfer. It is supported by all major Australian banks.
To set up a PayID, log in to your bank's internet banking or app and look for the PayID or New Payments Platform settings. You can link your mobile number, email address, or ABN.
Security considerations
Some freelancers are concerned about sharing their BSB and account number publicly. In practice, these details are low-risk on invoices — they can only be used to deposit money into your account, not withdraw from it. Banks have fraud protections in place.
If you prefer extra privacy, using a PayID with a dedicated business email address (rather than your personal mobile number) is a good option. This gives you a simple payment identifier without sharing your phone number with every client.
How to add bank details to your AusInvoice invoice
AusInvoice includes dedicated fields for BSB, account number, and PayID. When you enter these, they appear on the printed invoice in a clear “Payment Details” section. Your clients can then pay via internet banking using the BSB/account, or via PayID for instant transfer.
Adding bank details takes about 10 seconds and has a real impact on how quickly you get paid. It is one of the highest-leverage changes you can make to your invoicing process.