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Import a payment file for payroll payments

The "Import a payment file" function in ANZ Internet Banking allows you to import an aba file, which consists of multiple payment details created using your accounting software.

  • Once the aba file is imported the payments will be populated so that you can easily process them as part of a payroll payment transfer with one debit from your chosen business account.
  • This is used to make payments to employees and suppliers.

How do I import a payment file for payroll payments?

ANZ Internet Banking for Business customers can import a payment file to make payroll payments. To import a payment file for payroll payments:

  • Go to the "Payments" menu
  • Select "Pay employees"
  • Select "Import a payroll file" and follow the steps below.

Step 1 - Create your .aba file

ABA stands for Australian Banking Association.

  • Most accounting and payroll software packages enable you to create .aba files, which consist of payment details
  • Ask your accountant for more information about how to create .aba files.

Step 2 - Locate and upload your .aba file

  • Select "Browse..." and locate your .aba file on your computer
  • When the file is uploaded correctly it will appear in the "File location" field
  • Select "Continue".

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have uploaded the correct file.

Step 3 - Continue with your payroll payments

  • Your file name will display at the top of the page to show you that it has been uploaded correctly.

Step 4 - Select the account to transfer from

  • From: choose the ANZ account you wish to transfer funds from, using the drop down list, which displays all of your ANZ accounts that you have linked to ANZ Internet Banking for Business that are eligible to make a payroll payment from.

Please note the payroll payments will all be processed as a single debit to the business account you have selected. You cannot select multiple accounts to be debited.

Step 5 - Enter the transfer date

  • Transfer date (One-off transfer): choose the date on which you want the payments to be debited from your chosen account. If the payment is due today select “Today”. If the payment is due at a later date select “Later” then you can either:
    • select the calendar icon and click on the date required, or
    • enter the date in the format DD/MM/YYYY (e.g. 22/02/2010).
  • Remember all the payments will be processed as one debit from your chosen account on this specified date so you only need to enter the date once.

Step 6 - Fill in your business name

  • Your/business name: enter either your own name or the name of your business if appropriate. The name you enter:
    • will appear on the employee's statement so ensure it makes your identity clear to the employee.
    • must only contain letters (no special characters eg. _/@#%^*).

Step 7 - Add more payments (if applicable)

The payment details from your .aba file will populate the payments list.

  • If you want to add more payments, you can follow steps 4-6 from the Pay employees function
  • If you need to remove a payment click the "Remove" button on the right of the list.
  • You can also change the payment amount if necessary by clicking in the amount box and editing it as needed.

Step 8 - Click "continue"

When you are happy with the list of payments, the "From" account selected and the transfer date, select "Continue".

Step 9 - Review your information

Review all your information to ensure it is correct. If information is incorrect it may result in an unsuccessful payment or the wrong employee receiving funds.

  • If you notice mistakes select "Back" and re-enter the correct details following steps 1-9.

Step 10 - Confirm your transfer

  • When you are happy with the information entered click "Confirm". This will complete the transfer and a confirmation message will display.

ANZ Internet Banking for Business Operators can click "Request authorisation" to submit the transfer to the relevant Authoriser or Administrator for approval.

Find out more about authorising payments and transfers

Step 11 - View your lodgement receipt

  • Your lodgement receipt is displayed to confirm that your payment has been submitted successfully
  • This does not mean the payment will be processed successfully as that is dependent on the details you have entered being accurate and sufficient funds being in the account from which the payment is to be made.
  • Please make a note of the receipt number and lodgement number for your own records.

Important notes

When you are making payroll payments it is your responsibility to ensure the details you provide are correct or your payments may be unsuccessful or may be paid to an unintended account or wrong employee and the funds may not be recovered.

  • We do not check that the payment details provided by you are correct.
  • If you have a query about a payment, you can send us a SecureMail or call ANZ Internet Banking Helpdesk on 13 22 73 (International callers: +61 3 9683 8833) between 8.00am and 6.00pm (AEST), Monday to Friday.

How long do payroll payments take?

  • Payments are processed overnight on bank business days
  • The time that it takes for the employee's account to be credited will vary depending on the policy and systems of the bank the account is held with
  • Payments submitted before 6.00pm (AEST) on a bank business day are processed on that day
  • Payments submitted after 6.00pm (AEST) or on weekends or public holidays are processed on the next bank business day.

How to stop payroll payments

You cannot stop immediate multiple payroll payments to be processed today. You can only stop recurring single or future payments by deleting the series from your future payments and transfers list. If you wish to delete a recurring single or future dated payment, the request must be lodged with ANZ Internet Banking for Business prior to 11.59pm (AEST) on the day prior to the payment date via the “Manage future payments/transfers” section.

Find out more about deleting a future payments

Please note that you cannot edit a recurring single or future dated transfer. You must delete and then re-submit a new payment.

Need more help?

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Send us a SecureMail

For further assistance please call the ANZ Internet Banking team on 13 33 50 (International callers: +61 3 9683 8833) 8:00am - 8:00pm AEST (M-F) 8:00am - 6:00pm (Sat and Sun)

Frequently asked questions

Use our frequently asked questions to find out more about uploading a payroll payment file.

The following indicates the amount of payments that can be made using payroll payments for business customers:

  • Multiple payments completed manually: 18 employees
  • Multiple payments via template: 99 employees
  • Multiple payments via file uploads: 999 employees.

This can be a result of many different factors such as your Security Device not being activated or number of authorisations required, etc.

  • As such, we would recommend you contact the ANZ Internet Banking for Business team on 1800 269 242 (International callers: +61 3 8699 6906) between 8.00am and 6.00pm (AEST), Monday to Friday for further assistance.

     

You can choose from file types to suit most commonly used accounting packages such as:

  • MYOB
  • Quickbooks
  • Phoenix Gateway and AgriMaster as well as the option of downloading in CSV (comma separated values), a simple text file format that can be opened in Excel and other programs.
  • Choose the file type that suits your transfer. Check with your accounting package provider for details of the file type required.

Yes. Users who are Operators are permitted to perform file uploads from accounting software packages.

You will need the following information before you upload a payment file from any accounting software:

  • Bank ID: ANZ
  • APCA/Direct User ID: any six digit number that you choose, E.g: (000000)
  • Balancing Items Required: No

The aba file consists of the payment details with employee's/payee's account details, reference number, amount to be debited/credited, your account details, etc. The aba file must consist of the following three sections:

  • Header record
  • Detail records
  • File Total record

Note: The aba file is a fixed width format therefore any unused character positions must be filled with spaces.

Yes. You can make changes to the uploaded payment file before authorising the transaction.

  • Payees can be added, removed or have their payment amount altered
  • For example, after importing a payroll template, you can remove payments for casuals not working this pay period
  • A file holding 90 items could be edited to reach the 999 items limit.

No. Payroll payments can't be set up as recurring payments. 

You can't stop immediate payroll payments or payments to be processed today. You can only stop future dated payments if necessary.

If you wish to delete future dated payments, the request must be lodged with ANZ Internet Banking for Business prior to 11.59pm (AEST) on the day prior to the payment date via the “Manage future payments/transfers” section.

Employee lists and payment templates are available to all Administrators and Authorisers in ANZ Internet Banking for Business as this information is held at the business level.

Transfers are processed overnight on bank business days.

  • The time that it takes for the employees' accounts to be credited will vary depending on the policy and systems of the bank that the accounts are held with
  • Immediate payments submitted before 6.00pm (AEST) on a bank business day are processed on that day
  • Immediate payments submitted after 6.00pm (AEST) or on weekends or public holidays are processed on the next bank business day.

Yes. The cut-off times are the same as those for ANZ Internet Banking.

  • Payments need to be authorised prior to 6.00pm (AEST) on a bank business day Any payments authorised after this time, will be processed the next bank business day.
  • The cut-off time for payments between accounts is 10.00pm (AEST) on a bank business day
  • The standard cut-off time for direct debit is 6.00pm (AEST).
  • ANZ recommends that all third party transactions of $500,000 and above are authorised prior to 4.00pm (AEST) to ensure we can contact you to verify payment details when required. If we are unable to contact you to verify transaction information, payments may be cancelled.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure that the details provided by you are correct or your payments may be unsuccessful or may be paid to an unintended account
  • We do not check that the details provided by you are correct
  • Payroll payments requested before 6.00pm (AEST) on a bank business day will be processed to your account on the same day
  • Payments requested after this time may be processed on the following bank business day
  • The time that it takes for the employee's account to be credited will depend on the policy and systems of the employee's bank
  • You cannot delete or cancel an immediate payment or a payment to be processed today.
  • Future-dated payments require cleared funds in your account at 11.59pm (AEST) on the day before the scheduled payment date or your payment will be unsuccessful.
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