SWIFT/BIC codes in Australia: banks starting with V

Finding a SWIFT code in Australia

For Australia we have 1063 SWIFT/BIC codes, spread over 608 banks. A SWIFT code tells the banks handling a transfer exactly which bank should receive the money.

Look for the recipient’s bank below and open its page to see all codes we have and the details a transfer needs. The rest of this page covers how the codes work, the cost of transfers and the checks worth doing.

How SWIFT codes from Australia are built

Every SWIFT/BIC code consists of eight or eleven characters, always in the same order. It starts with a four-letter bank code, then a two-letter country code and two characters for the location.

You can spot a bank code from Australia by letters five and six – those always form the country code of Australia. A code with other letters in that position come from a bank abroad.

The last three characters, if present, stand for a specific branch; XXX means the head office. Use a branch code only if the recipient explicitly gives you one; otherwise the head office code is the safe choice.

When does money sent to Australia arrive?

A SWIFT payment to Australia usually takes one to a few business days, depending on the currency, the route and the banks involved. Transfers sent after the cut-off time or just before a weekend or public holiday usually go out a business day later.

A growing number of banks are connected to SWIFT gpi for faster and traceable payments. Every gpi transfer carries a unique transaction reference, the UETR. Specialist transfer services usually show tracking online, which makes it easier to see where the money is.

Which bank in Australia has the most codes?

Of the 608 banks in Australia, BNP Paribas Services, (Australia Branch) is listed with the largest number of codes. Its head office code is PARBAUS1066.

A large number of codes usually means that the bank registers branches and departments separately – it says nothing about the size of the bank as such. If not a branch code is given, PARBAUS1066 is fine for transfers to this bank.

Paying in AUD: what conversion costs you

Most accounts in Australia are typically held in AUD, the local currency. Money sent in a different currency is converted into AUD on its way to the recipient, and whoever converts it chooses the rate.

Who converts the money matters: every bank has its own margin. Check how much AUD the recipient gets with different providers. Exchange rates change during the day.

Bank or transfer service for Australia?

A bank transfer to Australia often costs more than you think. There is the transfer fee, sometimes fees from correspondent banks and, most importantly, the margin on the exchange rate.

The markup on the rate tends to be the biggest cost item because it is hidden in the rate. A simple test: put the offered rate next to the mid-market rate and work out the difference on your amount.

For many currency pairs, a transfer service turns out to be cheaper than a traditional bank transfer, mainly because of the rate. Before your next transfer to Australia, take a minute comparing what arrives on GoldexPay rather than accepting the first rate you see.

What a sender needs to pay you in Australia

For an international payment in Australia, the person paying you has to have not just the SWIFT code. In practice that means: your full name as your bank knows it, your account number or IBAN, the SWIFT/BIC code of your bank and sometimes your postal address.

Look up your bank in the list above to check its code, but take the code from your own bank details when in doubt. Some sending banks also want the name and address of your bank; it does no harm to include it.

Expect that the incoming amount is smaller than the amount on the sender’s receipt. Charges on incoming payments vary per bank. Agree with the sender who pays which costs.

SWIFT transfers to Australia

To pay into Australia you will usually need the BIC, because the country is outside the SEPA area. Without it, your bank will not process the payment.

In some countries, the account is identified by a local account number instead of an IBAN. Ask the recipient which details their bank needs for payments from abroad. Before it arrives, a transfer can pass through intermediary banks.

Banks in Australia starting with :letter

You are looking at a selection: just institutions in Australia whose name begins with :letter. The totals on this page cover every bank we list, not just the ones under :letter.

Many institutions are listed under their official name, which may start with words like Bank or Banco. The full overview for Australia is available when you cannot find the bank here.

How reliable is this list?

The best place to find the right code is paperwork issued by the bank. An incorrect BIC may lead to delays, a payment being sent back or additional charges, so compare it with the list on this page.

We gather SWIFT/BIC codes using publicly available data and check our list from time to time. Still, banks merge or change codes, so information can be out of date. Use this list as a starting point rather than the last word; the recipient’s bank details are leading. We are a comparison service for money transfers, not a bank.

Scammers regularly use fake invoices with new bank details that look completely genuine. A real SWIFT code tells you nothing about who owns the account – scammers use the codes of real banks.