List the payment methods that are quick and low cost for you and convenient for your client, with bank transfer being the default in Australia, usually shown as a BSB and account number or a PayID. Offering more than one option, alongside a clear due date, is one of the simplest ways to get paid faster.
Here are the main methods worth considering and how they stack up.
- Bank transfer (the Australian default): Most local invoices are paid by direct bank transfer. Show your account name, BSB, and account number, and ask clients to use the invoice number as the payment reference so you can match the payment quickly. Bank transfer is low cost and well understood by every Australian business.
- PayID: PayID lets clients pay you using a simple identifier such as an email address or phone number linked to your account, with funds settling close to instantly over the New Payments Platform. It is fast, avoids card processing fees, and is handy when you want the money to land quickly. Listing a PayID next to your BSB and account number gives clients a faster option without extra cost to you.
- Cards and online payment links: Services such as Stripe and PayPal let clients pay by card or through a payment link or button. The trade off is fees. Domestic card payments commonly cost somewhere around 1.5 to 2.5 percent plus a small fixed fee per transaction, which comes out of your takings. Many businesses still offer this because the convenience often means they get paid sooner, and some choose to absorb the fee as a cost of doing business.
- BPAY: BPAY is the established bill payment system in Australia, where you register as a biller and give clients a biller code and reference number to pay through their own online banking. It tends to suit larger or more established businesses with the setup in place, and it generally carries flat, predictable fees rather than a percentage.
- Digital wallets: Options such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal balances are increasingly common and can be offered through the same online payment providers, giving clients a familiar, mobile friendly way to settle up.
A few practical pointers to tie it together.
- Offer a small number of clear options: Two or three well chosen methods, such as bank transfer or PayID plus a card link, remove friction without overwhelming the client. Giving people the way they prefer to pay tends to shorten the wait.
- Put the details right on the invoice: Include the full payment details and a clear due date on the invoice itself, so the client never has to email you to ask how to pay.
- Weigh the fees: For low margin work, card fees can add up, so decide whether to absorb them or steer clients toward bank transfer or PayID.
InvoiceSonic, a free invoice generator, lets you set out your bank details, PayID, and any payment links neatly on every invoice, so clients can pay you the moment they open it. This is general information only and not financial or tax advice.