CDF Automated Direct Entry Batch Guide & Checklist
This guide is designed to provide information for users of Automated Direct Entry Batch (ADEB) and includes a product checklist to determine whether account holders meet the minimum viable requirements for CDF’s ADEB product.
Am I eligible for ADEB?
Minimum viable requirements checklist:
To utilise ADEB, account holders must meet all minimum viable requirements. If you meet these requirements and would like to apply for ADEB, please contact your CDF Relationship Manager or our Client Services Group on 1800 134 135.
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Active CDF transaction account | |
| Ability to generate batch files in ABA format using an ERP, accounting or payroll package | |
| Ability to encrypt and send batch files using SFTP and PGP keys | |
| Access to technical support to establish file transfer and encryption protocols | |
| Access to technical support to configure the ERP, accounting or payroll package to meet file formatting requirements |
How to apply: Step by step process
- Confirm you meet the minimum viable requirements outlined above
- Contact your CDF Relationship Manager (RM) or our Client Services Group to initiate an application
- Your Relationship Manager will arrange a meeting with you to discuss your application – we recommend you bring along your technical support team to meet our Data & Integration team and gather all required information upfront. CDF will ask for the following information:
- The name of the ERP, accounting or payroll package(s) used to generate batch files
- The CDF account number(s) you want to debit or credit using ADEB (you may request DE files for different accounts depending on your requirements)
- If you want to process direct debit files that you have appropriate agreements in place with your payers and an active Direct Debit User ID (if a new ID is required your RM will assist you with an application)
- Confirmation your system can generate ABA files
- Confirmation your technical support team can configure batch files in the required format
- Confirmation your technical support team can encrypt and transfer files using SFTP and PGP keys
- Contact details for your technical support team
- Contact details for your accounts or administration team
- If all parties agree ADEB is a viable option, your Relationship Manager will provide a written agreement confirming your application and outlining the terms and conditions of acceptance
- Once your signed agreement is received, our Data & Integration team will commence building, testing and implementation of your ADEB solution
Product guide
Can I process direct debits as a batch?
Yes - account holders with a valid Direct Debit User ID (DDI) can process batches of direct debits from Australian bank accounts. It is the responsibility of the account holder to hold a record of consent between the account holder and the payer. Your CDF Relationship Manager can help you confirm whether you have a DDI or support you to apply for one.
Can I debit credit cards?
No – ADEB can only be used for debiting Australian bank accounts. Please consult your Relationship Manager to explore options for managing credit card debits.
Can I have more than one account linked to ADEB?
Yes – if you hold more than one transaction account you can create batches for each account, however you will need to provide CDF with details of each account. Each account will be configured based on the account and batch requirements – the CDF team is here to guide you through this. All accounts must be captured in your signed agreement.
Can I change or cancel ADEB?
- Yes – all changes, including adding or removing accounts are treated as a new application, please engage with your Relationship Manager or our Client Services Group to request changes, and allow a minimum of 28 days for this process.
- To cancel an ADEB agreement, please provide written confirmation to your Relationship Manager advising you wish to cancel the service and allow 28 days for this request to be finalised. Once cancelled, services cannot be reactivated, a new application will be required.
Do batch files need to be authorised?
Yes - Account Holders are responsible for checking and authorising each batch file before it is processed. The file must be authorised in line with your CDF transaction account authority. For example, if your account requires two people to authorise transactions, two current authorised signatories must authorise the file.
How and where can I authorise files?
Batch files can be authorised before they are sent through your ERP system, or after upload by logging into CDF Online.
It is the account holder’s responsibility to ensure that files are authorised before cut-off times and by the required authorised signatories.
What is the cut-off time for files to be authorised?
CDF requires all files to be received and authorised by 4.00pm AEST on weekdays. Files received outside this time, including on weekends or public holidays, will be processed on the next business day.
How are batch files sent to CDF?
CDF will work with you to establish a secure connection to our server using CDF provided SFTP credentials and PGP key for file encryption.
Naming batch files
- The file name must include the following 6 data points:
- CDF account number: for example, 2345678S1.1
- Date: use YYMMDD format.
- Time stamp: use HHMMSS format.
- Batch description / batch narrative: enter a short description of the batch, such as Salaries 25JAN. This is the same as the batch narrative and will appear on your bank statement.
- Approval code: use A if your batch will be approved in CDF Online or D if approved in your ERP.
- File destination code: .ABA file format
- Each of the above data points must be separated by underscores, and
- Batches must be in .ABA file format.
Example file name: 234567S1.1_251118_142012_Salaries 25JAN_D.ABA
Important:
- The file name must be exactly 120 characters, including spaces
- The batch description / batch narrative must not exceed 30 characters. If the batch description / batch narrative is longer than 30 characters, it will be shortened
- Do not use special characters in the file name
- If the file is not named in this format CDF will rename it to meet our naming conventions
- Files must be saved as .ABA – CDF does not accept .ABA.TXT file format
Formatting batch files
All files must be in the following standard format:
- Type 0 (Header Record): Starts with 0, followed by blank spaces, bank/user details and the date in DDMMYYYY format
- Type 1 (Detail Record): Starts with 1, containing destination BSB, account number, indicator flags, transaction codes (e.g., 50 for external credit), amount in cents (no decimal point), payee name, and source account details
- Type 7 (File Total Record): Starts with 7, containing net/total debit and credit amounts in cents to balance the batch
Can I change my batch narrative?
When applying for ADEB, you must advise how your batch narrative will be formatted.
The formatting options are:
- Static – each batch file will have the same narrative (for example you require each batch to reflect PAYROLL)
- Dynamic – each batch file will have a different narrative generated by your ERP or accounting package
- Reformatted – CDF will rename each batch file to match a narrative you nominate when setting up your ADEB product
Can I make changes to a batch file?
No – once your file has been authorised it cannot be changed by the account holder or by CDF.
If your file has been received but not processed our Client Services Group may be able to cancel the file for you - please contact our Client Services Group on 1800 134 135.
Troubleshooting
How are batch errors managed?
CDF requires account holders to nominate a contact email address to which all error notifications are sent – we recommend using a group inbox.
CDF will notify you as soon as possible.
Important: Files with errors cannot be amended by CDF – all error files will require amendment and reprocessing by the Account Holder.
Error messages
Error messages will be emailed to your nominated contact email in the following format:
Subject: Payment file failed
Message: Please review and resubmit payment file “file name”. The message will refer to the specific lines within the file which are causing the file error, for example: Line 1 no header record in file
