The slowest part of getting paid often isn't the customer being a tight-arse — it's friction. Hunting for your BSB, typing 9 digits without a typo, waiting overnight for the transfer to clear. PayID strips most of that away, which means more invoices get paid on the spot instead of "later".
What is PayID?
PayID is part of Australia's New Payments Platform — the same rails that power fast bank transfers. Instead of giving out a BSB and account number, you link a simple PayID (your mobile number, email address, or ABN) to your bank account. Customers just enter that, see your name come up to confirm it's really you, and send the money. It clears in close to real time, 24/7, including weekends.
Why it's good for tradies
- You get paid in seconds, not days — no overnight wait, so cash flow is smoother.
- It's free to receive — unlike card payments, there's no merchant fee taking a slice of every job.
- Fewer mistakes — the customer sees your business name before they hit send, so money doesn't vanish into a mistyped account.
- Easy to put on an invoice — "PayID: 0400 000 000" is a lot less daunting than a BSB and account number, so more people just pay it then and there.
- Works from the customer's banking app — no app to download, no account to make.
How to set up PayID
- Open your bank's app (most major Australian banks support PayID).
- Find PayID in the menu (often under "Pay" or "Settings").
- Choose what to register — your mobile, email or ABN — and link it to the account you want jobs paid into.
- Confirm the one-time code. That's it — you can now receive PayID payments.
Using your ABN as your PayID is a tidy option for a business — it keeps your personal mobile private and looks professional on an invoice. You can read more about PayID for business at AusPayPlus (the body behind PayID) or just search "PayID" in your banking app.
PayID vs the other ways to get paid
| PayID | Bank transfer (BSB/Acc) | Card / tap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Seconds | Often same/next day | Instant auth |
| Fee to you | Free | Free | ~1–2% per payment |
| Ease for customer | Very easy | Fiddly (typing numbers) | Easy (in person) |
| Works remotely | Yes | Yes | Needs a reader/link |
None of these are either/or — plenty of tradies offer PayID as the default on the invoice and keep card as a backup for customers who prefer it. The point is to remove the excuse not to pay you today.
Putting PayID on your invoice
Add a clear payment line to every invoice — e.g. "Pay by PayID: 0400 000 000 (Dave's Electrical)" — right next to the total. Our free invoice generator has a payment-details box for exactly this, and Yamate puts your PayID and a pay prompt on every invoice and reminder automatically.
Send invoices with your PayID built in — and get paid faster →FAQ
Is PayID free for tradies?
Yes — it's free to register and free to receive payments. Unlike card payments, no merchant fee is taken out of what you're paid.
Can I use my ABN as a PayID?
Yes. Registering your ABN as a PayID keeps your personal number private and looks professional on invoices. Set it up in your bank's app.
How fast does PayID actually pay?
Usually within seconds, any time of day including weekends, because it runs on Australia's real-time payment rails.
Is PayID safe?
The customer sees your registered business or account name before confirming, which helps prevent money going to the wrong place. As always, only share your PayID with people who are actually paying you.
Free tools to help you get paid
General information for Australian businesses, not financial advice. PayID availability and features depend on your bank — check your banking app or auspayplus.com.au.