B2Bpay for builders and construction businesses
B2Bpay lets builders pay subcontractors, timber and steel suppliers, plant hire and the ATO by credit card even when the payee only takes bank transfer, so every progress claim you fund earns points and sits on your card for up to 55 days.
What can a building business pay through B2Bpay?
Short answer: Almost every bill a builder receives: subcontractor invoices, materials, plant and scaffold hire, site insurance and the ATO. The payee is paid by bank transfer or BPAY, you pay by Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
In a typical month a builder might pay:
- Subcontractors: concreters, framers, electricians, plumbers, plasterers, painters and tilers, usually by bank transfer on 14 or 30 day terms.
- Materials: timber yards, steel fabricators, concrete, bricks and blocks, roofing, windows and joinery, often on trade accounts.
- Plant and equipment hire, scaffolding, site sheds, skip bins and traffic management.
- Insurance (contract works, public liability), council and certifier fees, software and vehicle costs.
- The ATO: quarterly BAS, PAYG withholding and instalments, and company tax.
None of these payees needs to accept cards. You load the invoice in the B2Bpay portal or from Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks, pay by card, and B2Bpay sends the payee a bank transfer. See how to pay suppliers who do not accept cards.
Why does the 55 day gap matter so much on a building site?
Because builders are paid in arrears. You pay subbies and suppliers as work is done, then lodge a progress claim and wait for the client, the bank or the certifier to release funds. B2Bpay moves that outflow onto your card, where it can sit interest-free for up to 55 days depending on your card and statement cycle.
The framing crew is paid on time and your working capital stays in the bank until the progress claim clears. Read the 55 days interest-free cash flow guide for how the cycle works.
How many points does a builder actually earn?
Two layers. First, your card issuer pays its normal reward points on every B2Bpay payment, exactly as if you had bought fuel. Second, B2Bpay adds B2B Points: 1 per $1 on the Earn Max plan, 1 per $2 on Earn Plus. 1 B2B Point converts to 1 Qantas Point or 1 Velocity Point.
The maths is simple. A builder putting $150,000 of subcontractor and materials invoices through B2Bpay in a month on Earn Max earns 150,000 B2B Points before card points. Work your own figures with the points calculator and the points maths guide.
Who in the business uses it and what does it cost?
Usually the owner, the contracts administrator or the bookkeeper. Multiple user logins are supported, so the office can load and schedule payments while the director approves from the ute. Bills sync from Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks with automatic reconciliation.
| Payment method | Essential | Earn Plus | Earn Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa / Mastercard | 1.10% | 2.10% | 2.50% |
| American Express | 2.10% | 3.40% | 3.85% |
| Bank account | 0.50% | 1.00% | 1.87% |
| PayTo | 0.60% | 1.10% | 1.97% |
Fees ex GST, as published at b2bpay.com.au. Earn Max earns 1 B2B Point per $1, Earn Plus 1 per $2, Essential none. The fee is a platform fee for the service, shown on your tax statement.
A $20,000 subcontractor invoice paid by Visa on Earn Max carries a $500 fee and earns 20,000 B2B Points plus your card points, while the $20,000 stays in your account for the length of your card cycle. Details on what the fee covers are in what is included in your B2Bpay fees.
How do you get started?
Register at points.b2bpay.com.au/sign-up, add your subcontractors and suppliers (bank details are verified before the first payment) or connect your accounting software. Payments can be bulk, scheduled or future-dated to match your claim cycle. Call 1300 205 575 or use get started.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay subcontractors who only accept bank transfer?
Yes. That is the core of the service. You pay by Visa, Mastercard or American Express in the B2Bpay portal and the subcontractor receives a normal bank transfer with your reference. They do not need a card facility, an account with B2Bpay or any change to how they invoice you.
Can I pay my BAS and PAYG through B2Bpay?
Yes. B2Bpay pays the ATO by bank transfer using your payment reference number, so you can keep paying tax by card and earning points. The ATO has said credit card payments to it will not be accepted after 30 June 2027; paying through B2Bpay is not affected. See pay BAS with a credit card.
Does it work with my job management or accounting software?
B2Bpay integrates with Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks. Bills you have approved appear in B2Bpay ready to pay, and the payment is recorded back in your accounting file. If your job management tool pushes bills into Xero, those bills flow through too.
Is there a limit on how large a payment can be?
Payment size is governed by the limit on your card rather than by B2Bpay. The team confirms account settings when you register, so large progress payments can be planned ahead.
Can I pay wages or super through B2Bpay?
No. B2Bpay is for business bills: suppliers, subcontractors, rent, insurance and the ATO. Wages and superannuation are not paid through the platform. The guide on payroll, super and what you cannot pay explains the boundaries.
Start earning on the bills you already pay
Set up takes minutes. Pay your BAS, suppliers and rent by card and keep the cash for up to 55 days.