This guide helps with
- Know the usual clearing time for each payment method
- Understand what affects the timing
- Tell the difference between paid and matched
- Know when to follow up
3 min read
What's happening
"Clearing" is the time it takes for your payment to travel from your bank or card to Merion's account and be matched to your file. Different methods clear at different speeds, and weekends and public holidays can add to the wait. A payment that hasn't cleared yet is still on its way, not lost.
Typical times by method
As a general guide:
- Card payment: usually minutes to a few hours.
- BPAY: typically one to two business days.
- Bank transfer (EFT): typically one to three business days, faster if your bank uses real-time payments.
Payments made after hours, on weekends or on public holidays start processing on the next business day.
Paid versus matched
There are two moments to keep in mind. First the money leaves your account; then it is matched to your Merion account using your reference. A correct reference means the two happen close together. A missing reference can leave a payment received but not yet matched — see our guide on payments that aren't showing.
When to follow up
If the expected time above has passed and your payment still isn't showing, contact us through the contact page with your reference number, amount and date so we can trace it.
Good to know
- Card payments clear fastest; bank transfers and BPAY take one to three business days.
- Weekends and public holidays push processing to the next business day.
- A payment is 'matched' once your reference links it to your account.
- Follow up only after the usual clearing time for your method has passed.
FAQ
Which payment method is fastest?
Card payments are usually the quickest, often clearing within minutes. BPAY and bank transfers typically take one to three business days.
Does paying on a weekend slow things down?
Yes. Payments made on weekends or public holidays generally start processing on the next business day.
My payment cleared my bank but isn't on my account — why?
It may have been received but not yet matched, often due to a missing reference. Contact us with the details and we'll match it.
Still stuck? Our team is happy to help you sort it out.