PayTo

Real-time payment solutions by Zai

PayTo is Australia’s new real-time payment method for bank account payments

BECS (Direct Debit) is set to be phased out in 2030. PayTo, the next-generation account-to-account payment method, was designed as a modern alternative and has already seen widespread adoption due to its many benefits.

Zai facilitates access for approved merchants to the New Payments Platform (NPP), enabling them to connect to the PayTo network through a fully integrated API. 

PayTo offers businesses faster settlement, fewer failed transactions, and improved reconciliation. For consumers, it delivers greater control and transparency. Payment agreements are authorised directly within their banking app and can be paused or cancelled at any time.

| Note: This content is for general informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice.

Explore Zai's PayTo Developer Documentation

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Greater efficiency and security for businesses

What is PayTo?

PayTo is a digital payment system launched via the New Payments Platform (NPP) in Australia. It enables businesses to initiate real-time payment requests directly from a customer's bank account, based on a pre-authorised agreement.

  • Real-time bank payments 24/7 settlements
  • Authorised agreements via a customer’s online banking app
  • Transparent digital agreements to help avoid unnecessary or unjustified claims
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Better flexibility and convenience for your customers equals brand loyalty for you

Why Use PayTo Payments?

PayTo brings together the reliability of Direct Debit with the speed and seamless experience of modern digital payments. It’s particularly well-suited for merchants dealing with recurring, one-off, or variable billing. 

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Benefits of PayTo

Business Benefits

  • Real-time payments – no delays waiting for funds to clear
  • Instant authorisation – fewer disputes and greater confidence
  • Streamlined reconciliation – rich payment data simplifies reporting
  • Faster payments, greater certainty – accelerate the customer experience
  • Happier customers – improved satisfaction and stronger retention

Customer Benefits

  • Agreement control – approve, pause or cancel directly within their banking app
  • Real-time updates – instant visibility across payment activity
  • Seamless setup – no card details or lengthy forms required
  • Trusted security – authorised within the customer’s banking environment

How PayTo Works

Zai facilitates access to the PayTo network. Approved clients can issue PayTo agreements and initiate transactions through our secure, fully supported API. Access is provided following our onboarding and compliance process.

Here’s a simplified flow:

  1. The merchant creates a PayTo agreement request via Zai’s API
  2. The customer approves the request within their banking app.
  3. The merchant initiates payment requests based on the approved agreement.
  4. Payment is settled in real time, with confirmation shared with both parties.
How-to-Payto
Faster than Direct Debit and more efficient than Card Payments

How PayTo Compares

 

Feature

Direct Debit

PayTo

Card Payments

Recurring fixed payments

Recurring variable payments

Fee structure

$

Flat fee

$

Flat fee

$

% based fee
Plus a Flat fee

Settlement speed

3 business days

Real-time (24/7)

1–2 business days

Payment Processing 

Business days and hours

24/7

24/7

Real-time notifications

Real-time account verification

Live payment agreement record

Held by Merchant with copy to Customer

Digital Agreement details held by customers’ bank and Merchant and Zai

Held by Merchant

NPP and PayTo

PayTo is a digital payment service developed by AP+ Australia, operating on the New Payments Platform (NPP), Australia’s real-time payment infrastructure. This platform enables fast, secure, and data-rich transactions that are processed 24/7, including weekends and public holidays.

Through PayTo, payment agreements are authorised by customers via their banking app, enhancing security and reducing the risk of fraud or chargebacks. These agreements adhere to strict regulatory standards, with agreement data securely stored using the NPP’s Mandate Management Service.

By leveraging the capabilities of the NPP and PayTo, Zai delivers a comprehensive solution that enhances payment efficiency and security for businesses operating in Australia.

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How to Get Started with PayTo

Zai enables you to integrate PayTo into your payment flows. PayTo's infrastructure supports various payment solutions, providing flexibility and rich data fields.

Talk to us about getting started with PayTo.

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Frequently asked questions about PayTo

How is PayTo different from Direct Debit?

Unlike Direct Debit, PayTo offers real-time settlement. End-users (customers) can manage their agreements and payments directly through their banking app, reducing the likelihood of failed payments. If there are insufficient funds, the parties will know immediately rather than waiting days for the funds to clear. Where appropriate, businesses can also perform real-time retries with ease.

End-users can authorise and manage their PayTo agreements conveniently within their banking app, making the process simple and user-friendly.

Additionally, unlike Direct Debit, end-users can use their PayID to support PayTo payments instead of providing their bank account details. This also simplifies the process for all parties when an end-user decides to change their banking service provider.

What is the difference between PayID and PayTo?

PayID is a service on Australia’s NPP that allows users to register a simple identifier, such as a mobile number or email address, as an alias for their bank details. This eliminates the need to share detailed bank account numbers. PayTo builds on this by offering a complete payments solution, enabling real-time payments based on a pre-approved digital agreement.

With PayTo, end-users have the option to provide either their bank account details or their registered PayID as an alias for their bank details to facilitate real-time payments.

The PayID option makes it easier for end-users to use PayTo. Additionally, if they change their bank, they can take their PayID with them which may eliminate the need to set up a new PayTo agreement.

 

Is PayTo secure?

Yes. PayTo is protected by bank-grade security and requires end-users to authorise each agreement within their banking app. It includes built-in fraud monitoring, often involving multi-factor authentication, and gives end-users the control to view, pause, or cancel agreements. This helps build the confidence they need to adopt this payment option, especially if they were hesitant to do so under a Direct Debit arrangement. The system is backed by the New Payments Platform and governed by Australian financial regulations.

What does PayTo do?

PayTo allows businesses to quickly establish digital agreements with their customers, enabling one-off or ongoing pre-authorised, real-time payments. Each payment request initiated by the business is seamlessly matched with the corresponding customer or invoice record in their system. This simplifies complex payment workflows and improves cash flow management.

Which banks offer PayTo to their end-users?

PayTo is supported by major banks on Australia’s New Payments Platform—such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac, ANZ, and NAB as well as a growing number of smaller banks, neobanks and other financial institutions. 

Power your PayTo payment flows with Zai

Discover how Zai's API-powered payment solution can help your business access PayTo and deliver the ultimate payment experience to you and your customers.

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