What is direct debit?

Learn about direct debit, how to set it up, and flexible alternatives.

What is direct debit?

Direct debit is a financial arrangement where a person or business authorises another party (typically a bank or financial institution) to facilitate a direct withdrawal of funds from the person/business’s payment method on a regular basis to pay bills or make recurring payments. It’s commonly used for things like rent, utility bills, insurance premiums, loan payments, subscriptions, and memberships.

Simple and hassle-free recurring payments

The Sniip app offers a comprehensive bill payments solution service. With custom reminders and management tools, organise and pay all of your bills through one app and easily set recurring payments (i.e. direct debit) with any payment method.

Sniip combines industry-leading technology with personalised Brisbane-based support, making bill management and payment effortless.

Direct debit set up

Set up your direct debit in under a minute with the Sniip app.

Account set up

Download the Sniip app for free from the App Store or Google Play Store
Log in, or create your Sniip account
In the Sniip homepage, select the menu icon in the top left corner, then select ‘Payment Methods’ to add your card/s or bank account/s

Create a recurring payment

Select the ‘+’ icon in the top right corner to upload your bill
Navigate to ‘Bills’ > ‘To Pay’, select your bill and select ‘Schedule’
Select ‘Create Recurring Payment’
Fill out the fields, and select ‘Next’
Select your payment method
Select ‘Confirm’

Eligible payment methods

Set up direct debits with a credit card, debit card, prepaid card, crypto.com card, bank account, or payment methods stored in your Apple/Google wallet.

Direct debit with credit card

The Sniip app allows you to easily set up a direct debit (or recurring payment) using your preferred payment method.

*Blocked/restricted industries apply.

How to edit your direct debit

To edit your recurring payment in the Sniip app, follow the steps below.

Select ‘Payments’ at the bottom of your screen
Select the ‘Scheduled’ tab
Select the recurring payment you wish to edit

Delete your direct debit (recurring payment) in Sniip by doing the following:

Select ‘Payments’ at the bottom of your screen
Select the ‘Scheduled’ tab
Select the recurring payment you wish to delete

If you wish to edit a single payment in your recurring payment plan

Select the ‘Edit Payment’ button in the bottom left corner
Select “Edit This Payment”
Enter the new details for this specific payment (e.g. the bill amount, payment date, or payment method by selecting the ‘x’ next to the current payment method)
Select ‘Next’
Select ‘Confirm’
All done! You have successfully updated one specific payment out of your recurring payment plan

If you wish to edit your entire recurring payment plan

Select the three dots in the top right corner
Select “Edit Recurring Payment”
Enter in the new details for your recurring payment plan
Select ‘Next’ and select the payment method
Select ‘Confirm’
All done! You have successfully updated your entire recurring payment plan

How to access your payment receipt / history

After a payment has been sent to your biller, the Sniip app will store a payment receipt (proof of payment) under the ‘Receipts’ tab in the bottom right of the Sniip app. The receipt will include the following information:

Total payment amount
Sub total (bill amount)
Processing fee amount
GST amount
Payment method
Receipt ID
Transaction ID
Biller name
BPAY Biller Code and reference number (for BPAY payments)
Biller bank details (for non-BPAY payments)

To export a copy of the receipt, tap on the receipt and select the email (letter) icon in the top right corner. This will automatically send a copy of the receipt to the email address linked to your Sniip account.

The receipt indicates that the funds have been sent to your biller, and the biller will acknowledge the date stamped on the receipt as the date the payment was made.

Benefits of using a reliable direct debit provider

With the right service provider, both customers and companies can enjoy the convenience of automated payments without the stress of late fees or missed bills.

Ease of Setup and Amendments

A good direct debit service should make it simple to set up new payments and easily adjust existing arrangements when needed. Customers and businesses alike benefit from hassle-free administrative processes.

Sniip is proud to partner with American Express and offer the most competitive rates in the market.

Personal payments are processed at 1.29%
Business payments are tiered from 1.75% (ex. GST).
$0 download or subscription costs, simply pay one processing fee per transaction.

Schedule future payments, create direct debits, and receive custom reminders with the Sniip app. Streamline your bill payment process today.

*Virgin Australia Business Flyer Terms and Conditions apply.

Transparency and Awareness

Customers should always be informed about what payments are being withdrawn from their accounts and when. This transparency builds trust and confidence in the payment process.

Security and Safety

Using a reputable direct debit service ensures that payments are processed securely, protecting both the company and the customer from fraud or unauthorised transactions.

Avoid Late Fees

By automating payments, there's no risk of forgetting to pay bills on time. This eliminates the stress of missed deadlines and the potential for incurring late payment charges.

What to look for in a direct debit service provider

When choosing a direct debit service, consider the following factors to ensure a seamless experience:

Flexibility in Customer Management

Look for a provider that allows you to update customer details and preferences easily, giving you control over your payment processes.

Excellent Service and Support

A reliable provider offers timely and dedicated customer support, and a user-friendly dashboard that simplifies payment management.

Integration Capabilities

Ensure that the chosen service integrates seamlessly with your existing software systems. This integration streamlines operations and minimises disruption to your workflow.

Business Understanding

Opt for a provider who takes the time to understand your unique business needs and tailors their services accordingly. This personalised approach ensures that the payment solution aligns perfectly with your objectives.

Discover Sniip

Join over 100,000 Australians using Sniip to take control of their bill payments. Pay any bill with any card earn full points. With the Sniip app, you can manage and pay all your bills from one app, plus earn full points – even if your biller doesn’t accept credit cards directly.