With the onset of payday super less than a year away there will be many more payments required when processing payments. If you don’t already use .aba files this might be a good time to consider use of them.
This article explains .aba files – files that can be uploaded from QuickBooks. Xero and MYOB directly into your bank to make multiple payments.
For Westpac, CBA and ANZ, you can set them up without bank assistance.
For Bendigo Bank, you need to apply to the bank to set up the facility and pay a one-off fee of $99.
For Macquarie Bank, ABA file uploads are supported via Business Online. For Suncorp Bank, their Business Payments Credit service supports ABA uploads with no establishment fees however, transaction limits and eligibility requirements apply.
Most banks will charge transaction fees similar to other types of transactions.
See other information at https://www.paycat.com.au/en/knowledge/how-do-i-upload-an-aba-file-to-my-internet-banking-provider
Summary of the technology involved for ABA Files
An Australian Banking Association (ABA) file is a standardised text file format used by Australian banks to process bulk payment transactions, such as payroll or accounts payable. It’s a common way for businesses to upload payment instructions to their online banking platforms.
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Plain Text Format:
ABA files are essentially text files, often with the
.abaextension. -
Structured Data:
They contain specific fields for each payment, including details like account numbers, BSBs, amounts, and references.
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Record Types:
ABA files utilize different record types, such as a header record, detail records for individual transactions, and trailer records for file and group totals.
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Used for Bulk Payments:
They are designed for processing multiple payments in a single file, making them ideal for payroll and other recurring payments.
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Import into Online Banking:
Businesses can import ABA files into their online banking platforms (like NAB Connect,) to initiate the payment process.
How it works:
- Accounting Software: Businesses use accounting or payroll software that can export data in the ABA format.
- File Creation: The software creates an ABA file containing the payment instructions.
- Import: The ABA file is then imported into the business’s online banking platform.
- Processing: The bank processes the payments based on the information in the ABA file.
- Reporting: The bank may provide a report (like a dishonour report) to the business to show the outcome of the payment processing.
Any questions please contact us on hello@cascdeat.com.au
Karen McDonald is a technologist, author, accountant and tax agent based in Brisbane Australia.
