Summary
BPAY is Australia’s national bill payment system — accepted by over 95,000 businesses including the ATO, utilities, phone companies, councils, universities, insurance providers and most major billers; if a bill has the BPAY logo, you can pay it through your bank’s app or internet banking using two numbers: the Biller Code and your Customer Reference Number (CRN). It is essential to understand what is BPAY Australia for managing your payments effectively.
BPAY is not instant — payments typically process on the same business day if made before your bank’s cut-off time, but can take 1-2 business days; it is designed for scheduled bill payments, not urgent person-to-person transfers (for that, use PayID or Osko)
BPAY is free for consumers — no charge from your bank to make a BPAY payment; some billers may charge a fee for paying by credit card via BPAY, but cheque and savings account BPAY payments are always free
Every bill you receive in Australia — electricity, gas, water, phone, council rates, insurance, credit card, university fees, tax — almost certainly has a BPAY logo on it. BPAY has been Australia’s standard bill payment system since 1997 and remains the most widely used way to pay bills in the country.
If you have recently arrived in Australia, understanding BPAY is one of the most practical things you can learn in your first week.
What is BPAY?
BPAY is a national electronic bill payment scheme, operated by Australian Payments Plus (AP+) — the same organisation that runs PayID, Osko and eftpos. It connects over 150 Australian financial institutions to over 95,000 businesses (called billers), allowing consumers to pay bills directly from their bank account through internet banking or a banking app.
BPAY was launched in 1997 — more than two decades before PayID and Osko. It solved the problem of the era: how do you pay a bill without writing a cheque, visiting a post office, or reading out your credit card number over the phone? The answer was a standardised system where every biller has a unique code, every customer has a unique reference number, and payments route securely through the banking system.
In 2026, BPAY processes hundreds of millions of transactions each year and remains the standard for bill payments across Australia — even as PayID handles person-to-person transfers and PayTo handles recurring agreements.
The two numbers you need for every BPAY payment
Every BPAY payment requires exactly two numbers from your bill:
1. The Biller Code
A unique number that identifies the business you are paying — like a digital address for the biller. Every BPAY-registered business has its own unique Biller Code.
Examples:
- ATO (Australian Taxation Office): 75556
- Telstra: varies by service type
- AGL Energy: varies by account type
Where to find it: Look for the BPAY logo on your bill — the Biller Code is listed directly next to or below it.
Important: Never guess a Biller Code. Using the wrong Biller Code sends your money to the wrong company — recovering it takes time and effort.
2. The Customer Reference Number (CRN)
A unique number that identifies you — the specific customer making the payment. The CRN tells the biller which account the payment belongs to.
Key facts about CRNs:
- CRNs vary in length — different billers use different formats
- Some billers use a fixed CRN that is the same on every bill (your customer account number)
- Some billers use a variable CRN that changes each billing cycle — always check the current bill for the current CRN
- CRNs include a check digit at the end — if you type a wrong number, your bank will detect the error and reject the payment before it is processed
Where to find it: On your bill, next to the Biller Code, near the BPAY logo.
How to make a BPAY payment
In your banking app or internet banking:
- Log in to your bank’s app or internet banking
- Navigate to Pay Bills or BPAY — found under Payments in most apps
- Select BPAY as the payment type
- Enter the Biller Code from your bill
- Enter your Customer Reference Number (CRN)
- Enter the amount to pay
- Choose your payment date — pay now or schedule for a future date
- Confirm the payment
Your bank will show you the biller’s name after you enter the Biller Code — always verify it matches the company you intend to pay before confirming.
Save your billers: Most banking apps let you save frequently used billers — your electricity provider, phone company, council — so you only enter the Biller Code once. Future payments just need the current CRN and amount.
BPAY payment timing — when does the money arrive?
BPAY is not instant like Osko or PayID. Payment timing depends on when you pay and your bank’s processing cut-off:
| Payment time | Expected settlement |
|---|---|
| Business day, before bank cut-off | Same business day |
| Business day, after bank cut-off | Next business day |
| Weekend or public holiday | Next business day |
Typical bank cut-off times: Most major banks process same-day BPAY payments submitted before approximately 5pm-6pm AEST on business days. Check your bank’s specific cut-off time.
Allow extra time for due dates: If your bill is due on a Wednesday, pay by Monday or Tuesday at the latest to ensure it arrives before the due date — especially if the Wednesday is near a public holiday.
Scheduling BPAY payments
One of BPAY’s most useful features is the ability to schedule future payments — up to 24 months in advance. You can set up:
- One-off future payments — schedule a payment for a specific date
- Recurring payments — set up weekly, fortnightly or monthly automatic BPAY payments for regular bills
Scheduling is available for billers with a fixed CRN — if the biller uses a variable CRN that changes each cycle, you cannot schedule recurring payments and must enter the new CRN manually each time.
BPAY View — electronic bill delivery
BPAY View is an optional feature that lets you receive your bills electronically through your banking app or internet banking — instead of paper mail or separate email. If your biller and bank both offer BPAY View, you can:
- Receive bills directly in your banking app
- See the amount due and due date without switching apps
- Pay directly from the bill notification with one tap
Not all billers or banks offer BPAY View — check with your biller and bank if you want to set it up.
What can you pay with BPAY?
BPAY is accepted by 95,000+ businesses across Australia including:
Utilities: Electricity (AGL, Origin, EnergyAustralia), gas, water, council rates
Telecommunications: Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, TPG
Government: Australian Taxation Office, state revenue offices, Centrelink, council rates, fines
Financial services: Credit card bills, loan repayments, insurance premiums, HECS-HELP student loan repayments
Education: University tuition fees (most Australian universities accept BPAY)
Other: Rent (some property managers), strata levies, gym memberships, subscriptions
BPAY vs PayID vs PayTo vs Osko — which to use?
| BPAY | PayID/Osko | PayTo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Bill payments | Person-to-person transfers | Recurring business payments |
| Speed | Same/next business day | Seconds | Real-time |
| Recipient type | Businesses (billers) | Anyone with a PayID | Businesses with PayTo |
| Required info | Biller Code + CRN | PayID (phone/email) or BSB | Pre-authorised agreement |
| Scheduling | Yes — up to 24 months | No (manual each time) | Yes — via mandate |
| Cost | Free | Free | Free |
Use BPAY for: Utility bills, tax payments, credit card bills, university fees, council rates — anything with a Biller Code on the invoice.
Use PayID/Osko for: Splitting a bill with a friend, paying rent to a landlord directly, any urgent person-to-person transfer.
Use PayTo for: Recurring subscriptions and memberships where the business has set up a PayTo agreement.
Common BPAY mistakes to avoid
Wrong Biller Code: Always copy the Biller Code directly from your bill — never rely on memory. Using the wrong code sends your money to the wrong biller.
Wrong CRN: If your biller uses variable CRNs, use the CRN from the current bill — not a previous one. A wrong CRN can result in your payment being unallocated.
Paying too close to the due date: BPAY is not instant. Pay 1-2 business days before the due date to ensure on-time payment.
BPAY scams: If you receive an unexpected email or call asking you to make a BPAY payment to a new Biller Code, verify directly with the company first. BPAY biller details on legitimate bills are always pre-printed — they do not change mid-cycle.
FAQs (frequently asked questions)
What is BPAY in Australia?
BPAY is Australia’s national bill payment system, accepted by 95,000+ businesses. You pay bills by entering a Biller Code and Customer Reference Number (CRN) in your banking app or internet banking. Available since 1997 and operated by Australian Payments Plus (AP+).
How do I find the Biller Code and CRN?
Both are printed on your bill next to the BPAY logo. The Biller Code identifies the business; the CRN identifies you as the customer.
Is BPAY free?
Yes — making a BPAY payment from a cheque or savings account is free. Some billers may charge a fee for BPAY payments made from a credit card.
How long does a BPAY payment take?
Same business day if paid before your bank’s cut-off (typically 5pm-6pm AEST). Next business day if paid after cut-off, on weekends or public holidays.
Can I schedule BPAY payments?
Yes — most banking apps let you schedule BPAY payments up to 24 months in advance. Recurring payments are available for billers with fixed CRNs.
What is the difference between BPAY and PayID?
BPAY is for paying bills to businesses (using a Biller Code and CRN). PayID is for sending money to individuals or businesses in real time (using a phone number or email). Both are operated by Australian Payments Plus.
Can I pay my ATO tax bill with BPAY?
Yes — the ATO’s BPAY Biller Code is 75556. Your Payment Reference Number (PRN) — your CRN — is printed on your ATO correspondence.
Related guides
- What is PayID? How to send money in Australia →
- What is Osko? Real-time payments explained →
- What is PayTo? Australia’s new payment system →
- What is a SWIFT transfer? →
What it means for your transfers
BPAY is for paying bills within Australia — it does not support international transfers. To send money home to India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Nepal or anywhere else in OrbitRemit’s network, use OrbitRemit directly. AUD to INR, PHP, VND and NPR transfers are fee-free.
This guide is for general information only. BPAY payment timing and features vary by financial institution. Last updated August 2026.
Sources: Australian Payments Plus — BPAY for consumers (auspayplus.com.au) | NAB — How BPAY works | ATO — Pay with BPAY (ato.gov.au) | BankSA — Paying bills FAQs (July 14, 2026) | Corporate Alliance — Ultimate Guide to BPAY Biller Codes (October 2025)
