Personal Finance Bank codes

What is a BSB code? How to get one and where to find it.

Wise
26.12.17 (updated more than 1 year ago)
Read time 2 minutes

If you’re making a bank transfer in Australia, you need more than just the usual information, like names, addresses and bank account numbers. You’ll also need a BSB code if you want the money you’re transferring to end up in the right place. But what’s a BSB? Where do you find it? How do you know you’ve got the right one? Before you transfer any money, read on to learn everything you need to know about BSB numbers.

What does BSB stand for?

Australian banks use BSB codes and it’s short for: bank state branch.

What’s a BSB code or number? And how long is it?

A BSB code is a six-digit number used to identify the individual branch of an Australian financial institution. The BSB code is used in addition to the bank account number to identify the recipient of a transfer. It’s much like a SWIFT code, but used for local, rather than international transfers.

The format of the BSB code is XXY-ZZZ. The first two digits (XX) specify the bank or financial institution where the money is being sent. The third digit (Y) tells which state the branch is located in. The last three digits (ZZZ) specify the address of the branch.

Here is an example of a BSB code from NAB bank: 082902. 08 is the two-digit code for NAB bank. The third digit (2) means the branch is located in Australian Capital Territory. The last three digits (902) mean this is the NAB branch in Canberra City.

Where do I find my BSB number?

BSB numbers can be found in a variety of ways. If you bank in Australia, simply sign into your online banking portal to find the BSB code of your branch. If you need to transfer money to a bank in Australia, BSB numbers can generally be found on the bank’s website, often included with a branch locator. If you’re ever unsure of a bank’s BSB, call the branch before you make a transfer, to ensure you’ve got the correct number.

Here’s how you can find BSB numbers for some of Australia’s top banks:

  1. NAB: BSB numbers for NAB can be found here. They begin with 08 or 8.
  2. Commonwealth Bank: BSBs for Commonwealth bank can be found here. They generally begin with 06.
  3. ANZ: BSB numbers for ANZ can be found here. They generally begin with 01.
  4. Westpac: BSB numbers for Westpac can be found here. They generally begin with 03.
  5. Bank of Queensland: BOQ has a universal BSB: 124-001. Use this to send money into any BOQ account.
  6. Macquarie Bank: Macquarie Bank has a universal BSB: 182-512.
  7. Bendigo Bank: BSB numbers for Bendigo Bank can be found here. They generally begin with 63.
  8. AMP Bank Ltd: AMP has a universal BSB: 939-200.
  9. Suncorp Bank: Suncorp has a universal BSB: 484-799.
  10. Bankwest: BSB numbers for Bankwest can be found here. They generally begin with 30.

What’s the bank account number format in Australia and New Zealand?

In Australia, you’ll need both the BSB number and a bank account number to identify an individual bank account and send money to it. In New Zealand, BSB numbers aren’t used. Instead, New Zealand has a set format for its 16-digit account numbers that looks like this: XXXXXX YYYYYYY ZZZ.

The first six numbers (XXXXXX) represent the bank code, which identifies the bank and the branch, much like a BSB in Australia.

The next seven digits (YYYYYYY) identify the individual account.

The last three numbers (ZZZ) tell what kind of account it is (business, checking, savings, etc.)

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With all this information at hand, sending money to Australia or New Zealand should go off without a hitch.

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This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

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