How to Pay Your BAS and Earn Rewards at the Same Time

Why BAS always feels like bad timing

The GST reporting cycle means BAS payments land four times a year, or monthly if you report monthly. For most small businesses, those payment dates coincide with other financial pressures: end-of-quarter supplier invoices, payroll, and now, with Payday Super, more frequent super contributions.

The result is that BAS can feel like a double hit: you’ve already spent the money on keeping the business running, and now you’re paying the tax on that activity. It’s psychologically tough, even when you’ve set funds aside.

One way to soften the blow is to look at how your BAS payments can work harder for your business.

How to pay your BAS using Pay by Card

Prospa’s Pay by Card allows eligible business owners to pay suppliers, service providers, and government obligations – including BAS – even when those parties don’t accept card payments directly. Always check current eligibility and T&Cs, as details may vary.

Here’s how it generally works:

1. Unlock Pay by Card in your Prospa Business Account and add any Australian issued card (Amex, Visa or Mastercard).
2. Add Payee details. Fill in the ABN, BSB, Account number to bill details.
3. Switch on Prospa Rewards to earn 1 Prospa Point for every $1 you pay with your Prospa Visa Business Debit Card. Fees apply.
4. Prospa processes the payment on your behalf. Processing takes up to 2 business days from the day the payment is lodged. Prospa Points will appear once payment has settled.

The payment still reaches the ATO on time, just like any other BAS payment – the difference is that you earn Prospa Points on a transaction you were always going to make.

What about paying BAS through your Prospa Business Account?

If you use a-account”> Prospa Business Account for your day-to-day banking, paying BAS is straightforward. You can transfer funds directly to the ATO using your BAS payment reference number or through BPAY – just like you would from any bank account.

The advantage of managing your BAS payment from your Prospa Business Account is visibility: you can see your balance, track your outgoings, and plan ahead without switching between platforms. It keeps your business finances in one place.

Plus, you can switch on Prospa Rewards to earn 1 Prospa Point for every $1 paid (Fees apply) – including when you pay with BPAY or bank transfer for your BAS payment.

What can you do with Prospa Points?

Prospa Points earned through Pay by Card or your Prospa Business Account, can be redeemed for a range of gift cards, or converted in Qantas Points (2 Prospa Points for 1 Qantas Point, Terms Apply).

Those rewards may accumulate over time, particularly if you’re earning points on regular business expenses such as BAS, super, rent and supplier invoices. While rewards are not a substitute for effective cash flow management, they can help you get more from eligible business payments you’re already making.

A simple habit that makes a difference

Many small business owners treat BAS as something to get through rather than something to optimise. But with a small shift in approach, you could start building rewards on payments you’re already making.

Set a reminder in your calendar a week before your BAS due date to review your payment options. That small habit, repeated four times a year, could add up to a meaningful reward balance by the time the next financial year rolls around.