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Australia SWIFT/BIC code validator
How the SWIFT/BIC code format works
- Format
- 8 or 11-character bank identifier code, country code AU in positions 5-6
- Example
- CTBAAU2S
Things to watch for
- Structure: 4-letter bank code + AU (country) + 2-character location code, plus an optional 3-character branch code
- An 8-character code (or one ending XXX) refers to the bank's head office, commonly in Sydney or Melbourne
- No checksum digit — this is a format check only; it confirms positions 5-6 read AU, not that the bank or branch actually exists
^[A-Z]{4}AU[A-Z0-9]{2}([A-Z0-9]{3})?$An Australian SWIFT/BIC code identifies the bank on an international transfer, working alongside the BSB (Bank State Branch) number Australians use domestically. Every Australian BIC has AU fixed at positions 5-6, right after the 4-letter bank code, so a validator can confirm the country without a separate lookup. The country’s dominant “Big Four” banks split their SWIFT head offices between Australia’s two largest financial centres — Sydney and Melbourne — a rivalry that runs through Australian banking history.
Major Australian bank BIC prefixes
| Bank | BIC | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Bank of Australia | CTBAAU2S | Sydney |
| National Australia Bank (NAB) | NATAAU33 | Melbourne |
| ANZ Bank | ANZBAU3M | Melbourne |
| Westpac | WPACAU2S | Sydney |
How this validator works
This tool checks that the code is 8 or 11 characters, the first 4 characters are letters, positions 5-6 read AU, and the location and optional branch segments use only letters and digits — entirely client-side, with nothing sent to a server.
What a pass doesn’t tell you
A pass confirms the code is shaped like a real Australian BIC, not that CTBA, NATA, ANZB, or WPAC still names an operating bank, or that a location/branch suffix is current. There’s no checksum digit in a BIC, so a fabricated code that fits the pattern will still validate.
Scope: format validation only. Australian domestic transfers use the BSB and account number instead — the BIC mainly matters for incoming international SWIFT payments.
SWIFT/BIC code FAQ
What's the SWIFT code format for an Australian bank?
An Australian BIC is 8 or 11 characters: a 4-letter bank code, AU fixed at positions 5-6, a 2-character location code, and an optional 3-character branch code — for example CTBAAU2S for Commonwealth Bank's Sydney head office.
How do I read an Australian BIC?
In NATAAU33, NATA identifies National Australia Bank, AU is the country, and 33 is the Melbourne location code — a reminder that location codes in a BIC can be digits as well as letters.
Does an 8-character code work for an Australian bank?
Yes — the 8-character BIC and its 11-character equivalent ending XXX both point to the same head office and are accepted interchangeably.