SWIFT/BIC codes in Australia: banks starting with I

SWIFT/BIC codes in Australia

For Australia we have 1063 SWIFT/BIC codes from 608 banks. Each code identifies an institution or one of its branches, so a payment from abroad reaches the right place.

Pick the bank from the list to see the head office code and any branch codes along with tips for payments to and from that bank. The sections below explain how the codes work, what transfers cost and the checks worth doing.

Paying a bank in Australia from abroad

To pay into Australia you will usually need a SWIFT/BIC code. Without it, your bank cannot send the transfer at all.

Not all countries use the IBAN – where there is none, the local account number is enough. Check with the recipient which details their bank requires for payments from abroad – many banks give clear instructions for this. SWIFT payments sometimes go via one or more intermediary banks.

Getting paid from abroad into an account in Australia

Someone abroad who wants to pay you will ask for a few details about your account, and missing ones are a common cause of delays. In practice that means: your name as your bank knows it, your account number or IBAN, the SWIFT/BIC code of your bank and, often, your postal address.

Look up the bank in the list above to check its code, but take the code from your own bank details when in doubt. It helps to add your bank’s name and city as well, since some payment forms ask for it.

Do not be surprised if the amount credited is below the amount on the sender’s receipt. Charges on incoming payments vary from bank to bank – your bank’s price list tells you what applies. Agree with the sender who pays which costs before the money is sent.

What the letters in a Australia BIC mean

Each SWIFT/BIC code has eight or eleven characters, always in the same order. First comes four letters for the bank, then two letters for the country and two characters for the location.

You can recognise a code from Australia from the fifth and sixth characters – those always form the country code of Australia. A code with a different country code come from a bank abroad.

The last three characters, if present, stand for a branch or department; XXX is used for the head office. For most transfers the head office code is what you need.

How long does a transfer to Australia take?

A SWIFT payment to Australia typically takes one to a few business days, depending on the currency, the route and the banks involved. Bank holidays in either country can add a day or more.

Many banks are connected to SWIFT gpi. Each payment carries a unique transaction reference, the UETR that banks can use to see where the money is. Money transfer services often show tracking in their app, which makes it easier to see where the money is.

Sending money to Australia for less

When you send money to Australia with your bank, the fee you see is only part of the cost. On top of the fee, intermediary banks may deduct a charge and, if currencies are converted, the bank often applies a less favourable rate than the real market rate.

Most of the cost usually sits in the exchange rate, rather than in the fee – the bank builds a margin into its rate. Compare the bank’s rate against the mid-market rate that you find on financial sites.

For many routes, a transfer service turns out to be less expensive than a traditional bank transfer, mainly because of the rate. GoldexPay lists transfer services side by side so you can see what actually arrives in Australia.

Check the code before you pay

The best place to find the correct BIC is paperwork issued by the bank. An incorrect BIC can cause a delay, a payment being sent back or extra fees – compare it with the code in our list.

We collect SWIFT/BIC codes from publicly available data and check them regularly. Banks reorganise, change names and change codes, and no directory catches every change immediately. Treat this list as a reference, not as the final word; the recipient’s bank details are leading. We are an independent comparison site for money transfers and not part of any bank listed here.

Watch out for payment requests with a new account, especially when they come by email. Before paying, confirm a change of bank details through a separate channel on a number you know.

Banks in Australia starting with :letter

This page only shows banks in Australia beginning with :letter in alphabetical order. The figures for Australia mentioned here apply to all 608 banks.

Some banks appear under their official name rather than the name on their app or website. The full overview for Australia remains available if the letter filter does not help.

The largest SWIFT network in Australia: BNP Paribas Services, (Australia Branch)

Of the 608 banks we list for Australia, BNP Paribas Services, (Australia Branch) is listed with the most codes. The head office uses PARBAUS1066.

Many codes often means that the bank registers branches and departments separately, not necessarily that the bank is the biggest in the country. Making a payment to BNP Paribas Services, (Australia Branch)? Go with PARBAUS1066 unless the recipient gives you a branch code.

Sending AUD to Australia

Most accounts in Australia are typically held in AUD. When you pay another currency, it has to be converted somewhere along the way.

Who converts the payment makes a difference, because each party uses its own rate. Compare what AUD arrives with different providers before choosing one. With bigger transfers, a seemingly small difference in the rate adds up quickly.