Summary
PayID lets you send and receive money in Australia using a mobile number, email address or ABN instead of a BSB and account number — payments arrive within seconds via the New Payments Platform (NPP), 24/7 including weekends and public holidays; over 25 million PayIDs were registered in Australia by April 2025
Setting up a PayID takes less than 2 minutes in your banking app — link your mobile number or email to your bank account; anyone who has your PayID can then send money directly to your account without needing your BSB
You can pay OrbitRemit using PayID — when you set up a transfer in the OrbitRemit app or website, select PayID as your payment method; the funds leave your account instantly and your transfer is processed faster than a standard bank transfer
If you have recently arrived in Australia, you may have noticed that Australians send money to each other in seconds using just a phone number. No BSB. No account number. No waiting. That is PayID — and it has become the dominant way Australians pay each other since its launch in 2018.
For migrants settling in Australia, understanding PayID is one of the most practical things you can do in your first week. You will use it to split bills, pay rent, receive wages from some employers and pay money transfer services like OrbitRemit.
What is PayID? Understanding what is PayID Australia
PayID is an Australian payment system that forms part of the New Payments Platform (NPP) — Australia’s national real-time payments infrastructure built and switched on in February 2018 by the Reserve Bank and the four major banks.
PayID does one thing well: it lets you receive money using something memorable — your phone number, email address or ABN — instead of a BSB and account number. When someone sends money to your PayID, the system looks up the identifier, finds the bank account it is linked to, and routes the payment through the NPP in real time.
The NPP and Osko: PayID is the addressing layer; Osko (operated by BPAY Group) is the payment service that moves the money. When someone pays your PayID, Osko processes the transaction. The result: funds appear in your account within seconds, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year — including Christmas Day.
How widely used is PayID? By April 2025, over 25 million PayIDs were registered in Australia — up from 8.7 million in 2022. Approximately 30% of Australians use PayID for quick transfers regularly. It is offered by over 100 financial institutions including CommBank, ANZ, Westpac, NAB, Macquarie, ING, Bendigo Bank and most smaller banks and credit unions.
What types of PayID can you register?
You can register any of the following as your PayID:
| PayID type | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| Mobile number | Individuals — most common; easy to share |
| Email address | Individuals and businesses |
| ABN (Australian Business Number) | Businesses only |
| Organisation ID | Larger organisations |
Most individual Australians register their mobile number as their PayID — it is the easiest to remember and share. You can register multiple identifiers if you want (e.g. both your mobile and email).
One PayID per institution: Each identifier can only be linked to one bank account at one institution at a time. If you switch banks, you can transfer your PayID to your new bank.
How to set up a PayID
Setting up a PayID takes less than 2 minutes in your banking app. The process is similar across all major banks:
On iPhone or Android (banking app):
- Open your bank’s app and log in
- Go to Settings or Account Settings (varies by bank)
- Find PayID — usually under “Pay Anyone” or “Payments”
- Select Create a PayID
- Choose your identifier — mobile number or email address
- Select which account to link the PayID to
- Confirm with your security code or biometric
That’s it. Anyone can now send money to your mobile number or email address instantly.
On desktop (internet banking): Log in to your bank’s internet banking > Payments > PayID > Create PayID. The process is the same.
How to send money using PayID
In your banking app:
- Go to Transfer or Pay Anyone
- Select PayID as the payment type
- Enter the recipient’s PayID — their mobile number, email or ABN
- The system will display the name linked to that PayID — confirm it matches the person you intend to pay before proceeding
- Enter the amount and a reference (optional)
- Confirm
The money leaves your account instantly and appears in the recipient’s account within seconds.
The name confirmation step is important: Before you confirm any PayID payment, the system shows you the name registered to that PayID. Always verify this matches the person you are paying — it protects you from sending money to the wrong account.
How to receive money using PayID
Simply share your PayID with the person paying you — give them your mobile number or email address. They enter it into their banking app, see your name displayed, confirm and send. The money appears in your account within seconds.
You do not need to share your BSB or account number. This is one of PayID’s key advantages — your bank details stay private, and you only share an identifier you are comfortable giving out.
PayID limits — what you need to know
PayID payments process in real time but individual banks set their own daily limits for PayID transactions. These vary by bank and account type:
| Bank | Typical PayID daily limit |
|---|---|
| CommBank | AUD $10,000 (standard); higher for verified customers |
| ANZ | AUD $10,000 (standard) |
| Westpac | AUD $10,000 (standard) |
| NAB | AUD $10,000 (standard) |
For larger transfers: If you need to send more than your bank’s PayID daily limit, you will need to use a standard bank transfer (BSB and account number) or contact your bank to request a temporary limit increase.
Note: OrbitRemit accepts PayID payments up to AUD $50,000 per transfer, subject to your bank’s own PayID limit.
PayID vs BSB and account number — what’s the difference?
| PayID | BSB + account number | |
|---|---|---|
| What you share | Mobile number or email | 6-digit BSB + account number |
| Speed | Seconds (24/7) | Same business day or next day |
| Weekend/holiday | Yes — 24/7 | Usually delayed |
| Name confirmation | Yes — shown before payment | No automatic confirmation |
| Error risk | Lower — name confirmation | Higher — no name check |
| Best for | Quick transfers, splitting bills | Large transfers, payroll |
PayID scams — what to watch out for
PayID is secure, but scammers use it to trick people into sending money under false pretences.
Common PayID scams:
- Fake PayID upgrade scams: You sell something online (Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace) and the “buyer” says they need you to “upgrade your PayID to receive business payments” and asks you to send money first. This is always a scam. There is no such thing as a PayID upgrade — PayID is free and requires no payment.
- Illegal gambling site scams: Some illegal online gambling sites request PayID payments. This is a scam — you will not recover your money.
- Impersonation: Someone claims to be from PayID, your bank or the government and asks for your PayID details. PayID will never contact you directly — it is managed by your bank.
If you think you have been scammed: Contact your bank immediately and report it to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) at scamwatch.gov.au.
How to pay OrbitRemit using PayID
When you send money from Australia using OrbitRemit, PayID is one of the fastest payment methods available.
How it works:
- Set up your transfer in the OrbitRemit app or at orbitremit.com
- Under Payment method, select PayID
- OrbitRemit provides a unique PayID email address for your transfer
- Open your banking app, go to Pay Anyone > PayID
- Enter the OrbitRemit PayID email address
- Confirm the name shown matches OrbitRemit
- Enter the exact transfer amount and confirm
The payment leaves your account instantly — and OrbitRemit begins processing your international transfer faster than a standard bank transfer.
Note: Your first PayID payment to a new recipient (including OrbitRemit) may be held by your bank for up to 24 hours for security verification. Subsequent payments to the same PayID are instant.
FAQs (frequently asked questions)
What is PayID in Australia?
PayID is a payment system that lets Australians send and receive money using a mobile number, email address or ABN instead of a BSB and account number. Payments arrive within seconds via the New Payments Platform (NPP), 24/7.
How do I set up a PayID?
In your bank’s app, go to Settings or Payments and look for PayID or Pay Anyone. Select Create a PayID, choose your mobile number or email, link it to your account and confirm. Takes less than 2 minutes.
Is PayID safe?
Yes. PayID is operated by Australian banks and regulated by the Reserve Bank of Australia. Before you confirm any payment, the system shows you the name registered to the PayID — so you can verify you are paying the right person. Never send money to upgrade a PayID — that is always a scam.
Can I use PayID to pay OrbitRemit?
Yes. When setting up a transfer in the OrbitRemit app, select PayID as your payment method. OrbitRemit provides a unique PayID email address for your transfer. Pay that address through your banking app and your transfer is processed faster than a standard bank transfer.
What is the PayID limit in Australia?
Most major banks set a PayID daily limit of AUD $10,000 for standard accounts. OrbitRemit accepts PayID payments up to AUD $50,000 per transfer, subject to your bank’s limit. Contact your bank to request a limit increase for larger transfers.
What is the difference between PayID and OSKO?
PayID is the addressing system — it links your mobile or email to your bank account. Osko is the payment service that moves the money in real time. They work together: PayID tells Osko where to send the payment; Osko moves it instantly.
Related guides
- What is a SWIFT transfer? How international bank transfers work →
- How to get a Tax File Number (TFN) in Australia →
- Understanding your Australian payslip →
What it means for your transfers
Once you have PayID set up, funding your OrbitRemit transfers is faster and simpler — no need to manually enter BSB and account numbers. Select PayID in the OrbitRemit app, pay through your banking app in seconds, and your transfer to India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Nepal or anywhere else in OrbitRemit’s network begins immediately.
AUD to INR, PHP, VND and NPR transfers are fee-free with OrbitRemit.
This guide is for general information only. PayID limits and features vary by financial institution — check with your bank for specific details. Last updated August 2026.
Sources: paymentsdownunder.com — PayID in Australia (June 16, 2026) | Australian Payments Plus — PayID for Consumer (auspayplus.com.au) | CommBank — How to send and receive money with PayID | NAB — PayID | ANZ — PayID | newlifeinaus.com.au — PayID Australia Complete Guide (April 2026) | OrbitRemit — Pay with PayID (support.orbitremit.com)
