Answer
A Direct Entry (.ABA) file lets you pay multiple employees in one batch upload to your bank. In the online (web/mobile) app, use the Direct Entry wizard on the Pays screen.
Starting the Wizard
From the Pays screen, click the Direct Entry button. A menu appears with two options:
- This Pay Run — creates a file for the currently selected pay run only. The wizard opens directly at the pay selection step.
- Multiple Pay Runs — creates a file covering a date range across multiple pay runs. The wizard starts at a date range step.
Multiple Pay Runs: Date Range and Employee Selection
If you chose Multiple Pay Runs, complete the additional steps first:
- Select a start date and end date for the pay runs you want to include, then click Next.
- Review the employee list and deselect any employees to exclude, then click Next.
Select Pays
The wizard shows a list of completed pays for employees whose payment method is set to Direct Bank Entry and who have not yet been included in a direct entry file.
- To include pays that have already been written to a file, tick List pays previously included in a direct entry file.
- Set the Payment Processing Date (the date your bank will process the transfer).
- Enter a Lodgement Reference (up to 18 characters) to identify the payment batch in your bank statement.
- Select the pays to include using the checklist, then click Next.
Preview
Click the Preview button to review the payment details. You must preview before the file can be generated. If all details are correct, click Next.
If your account is connected to Xero or MYOB, an optional (Optional) Send Transactions To? field appears so you can post the transactions directly.
Save Direct Entry File
On the Save Direct Entry File step:
- Tick Include Debit Entry? if your bank requires a balancing debit entry in the ABA file. Most major banks (ANZ, Westpac, NAB) do not require this; CBA may. If your bank rejects the file, try enabling this option.
- Tick Include company name in filename if you want the company name appended to the downloaded filename.
- Click Download Direct Entry File to download the
.abafile to your device.
Upload the downloaded file to your online banking portal to process the payments.
Summary
After downloading, the wizard shows a summary. Click Show Report to open a report of the entries made.
Related guides
For help uploading the ABA file to specific banks, or for information about the Direct Entry User ID (APCA ID) your bank may request, see: How Do I Make Payments Using a Direct Entry Banking File?
If you need to regenerate a direct entry file you have already created, see: How Do I Regenerate an ABA Direct Entry File for Banking Upload?
