For most people in Australia, transfers between different banks are now close to instant if they use the modern “fast payment” systems, but older-style transfers can still take a couple of days.

Typical transfer times

  • Osko / PayID / NPP transfers (most modern bank‑to‑bank payments):
    Usually under a minute, and often just a few seconds, 24/7, including weekends and public holidays.
  • Standard transfers using BSB and account (non‑Osko):
    Commonly 1 business day, sometimes up to 2–3 business days if you miss the bank’s cut‑off time or one of the banks is slower to process.
  • International transfers to or from Australia:
    Often around 1–4 business days depending on the country, banks involved and currencies.

Why it can be instant (or slow)

  • Fast rails (Osko / NPP): These newer systems settle payments in near real time between participating Australian banks, so the money appears quickly in the recipient’s account.
  • Old “overnight batch” rails: If your bank or the receiving bank does not use Osko for that payment, it may go via older systems that run in daily batches, which is why it can take until the next business day or longer.
  • Cut‑off times and weekends: Payments made late in the day, on weekends or public holidays can be pushed to the next processing window if they are not sent via the fast rails.

What people report on forums

  • Many Australian users say transfers between major banks are “near instant” when Osko/PayID is enabled for both sender and receiver.
  • Others still see 1–3 business day waits when sending large amounts, using older accounts, or when one of the banks does not fully support fast payments for that transaction.

How to get your money faster

  • Use Osko / PayID wherever possible: Look for the Osko logo when you make a transfer, or pay to a mobile number/email set up as PayID instead of only using BSB and account.
  • Send during business hours for standard transfers: If you cannot use Osko, sending earlier in the business day reduces the chance of missing cut‑off times.
  • Double‑check details: Any error in BSB/account or recipient info can cause delays or rejections, adding extra days.

Quick Scoop (SEO + context)

If you are searching “how long does it take to transfer money between banks in Australia” right now, the short modern‑day reality is:

  • Most everyday Aussie bank‑to‑bank transfers using Osko/PayID land in under a minute.
  • Non‑Osko transfers still often take until the next business day, and occasionally up to 2–3 business days.
  • International transfers involving Australian banks typically range from 1–4 business days, influenced by regulations, time zones and intermediary banks.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.