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Direct Entry User ID

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The GoCardless content team comprises a group of subject-matter experts in multiple fields from across GoCardless. The authors and reviewers work in the sales, marketing, legal, and finance departments. All have in-depth knowledge and experience in various aspects of payment scheme technology and the operating rules applicable to each. The team holds expertise in the well-established payment schemes such as UK Direct Debit, the European SEPA scheme, and the US ACH scheme, as well as in schemes operating in Scandinavia, Australia, and New Zealand. See full bio

Last editedApr 20232 min read

A Direct Entry User ID is required by organisations collecting Direct Debit payments in Australia. A Direct Debit provider such as GoCardless can obtain a User Identification Number on your behalf.

This guide explains how Direct Entry User Identification Numbers are used when collecting Direct Debit payments through the BECS scheme. You may also want to read our guide on accessing the Direct Debit system.

What is a Direct Entry User ID?

A Direct Entry User ID (sometimes also known as an APCA Number, BECS ID or BUDS ID) is a unique identifying number used by organisations collecting Direct Debit payments. All communications with BECS will use this ID, which is stored to create a record of the transaction.

Banks use the Direct Entry User ID to determine the correct name to show on customer bank statements. The User Identification Number will also be used to find other details about the originator. For example, if the customer files a Customer Claim that’s eligible for payment refund, the User ID is used to identify the originator who must pay the refund.

Having your own Direct Entry User ID is a requirement for submitting directly to the banks. However, even if you don’t have a Direct Entry User ID, you can still submit indirectly via GoCardless, using our User Identification Number.

Getting a Direct Entry User ID

The APCA issues Direct Entry User IDs to organisations sponsored by its members - Australia’s major banks. Banks will have their own different application processes, but all will require the following from the applicant:

Management expertise to enforce the Direct Debit scheme rules, minimise submission errors, and maintain the reputation of the scheme
Financial capacity to indemnify the sponsor bank against any Valid Claims
Adequate fraud and risk management controls in place

Sponsorship decisions are at the discretion of each bank. In most cases, a Direct Entry User ID will be granted if the above are satisfied, but the bank may impose additional requirements.

How to collect Direct Debit payments with GoCardless

1.

Create your free GoCardless account, access your user-friendly payments dashboard & connect your accounting software (if you use one).

2.

Easily set up & schedule Direct Debit payments via payment pages on your website checkout or secure payment links.

3.

From now on you'll get paid on time, every time, as GoCardless automatically collects payment on the scheduled date. Simple.

Get started in minutes Learn more

Using a Third Party’s Direct Entry User ID

Organisations that don’t have a Direct Entry User ID can still submit to banks through a third party. This is known as submitting indirectly.

Indirect submissions are still attached to a User Identification Number, but the Direct Entry User ID is owned by a third party. Collection happens in one of two ways:

Through a Direct Debit provider, such as GoCardless: The provider sets up a Direct Entry User ID for each merchant, but owns all the identification numbers itself. The name on each User ID takes the form ‘Bureau re Client’ and payments are collected into a client monies account.
Through aggregation: In this method, third parties can collect payments under their own name using a single Direct Entry User ID. These payments are then paid out to its clients.

To become an indirect submitter, you’ll need to use a third party to make submissions on your behalf. The third party must satisfy requirements from both the bank and from BECS.

Direct Entry User IDs and GoCardless

If you use GoCardless, you won't need to go through a bank to access the Direct Debit system. GoCardless satisfies the banking and scheme requirements as part of the service, with no upfront costs to collect payments by Direct Debit. As payments are collected under a single banking agreement, there also are scale benefits which we pass on to merchants.

GoCardless uses a single User Identification Number to collect on behalf of our merchants. We can also obtain User Identification Numbers on behalf of merchants, so your business name will appear on customer bank statements.