The Bank BSB Number is a 6 digit bank code assigned to Australian banks by Australian Payments Clearing Association (APCA). A BSB Number identifies the financial institution (bank), state and the branch to which a payment item is directed and thus called BSB (Bank-State-Branch). Along with the account number, BSB number is essential for delivering payments through the clearing system. However, note that BSB Numbers with account numbers combinations are used only for domestic transactions in Australia.
Format of BSB Numbers
The 6 digit BSB number is made up of three parts:
AAB-CCC
The first two numbers (AA) specify the financial institution/bank. For example, the bank code for
Bank of Melbourne (a division of Westpac Banking Corp) (BML) is
55
The third number (B) indicates the state where the branch is located. For example,
VIC has the state code of
3
The last three numbers (CCC) are the unique identifier for a branch. For example,
Bank of Melbourne (a division of Westpac Banking Corp) Bank's
Forest Hill Branch has the unique identifier of
117
Thus the BSB Number for Forest Hill of Bank of Melbourne (a division of Westpac Banking Corp) in Forest Hill, VIC is
553-117