Protecting supplier payments with Eftsure

 

Cook Shire Council is introducing Eftsure, to help protect our organisation and our suppliers from payment errors, fraud and cybercrime.

 

Eftsure is an independent payment security platform that verifies supplier business and banking information before payments are made, helping ensure funds are sent to the intended recipient.

What this means for suppliers

From Monday 27 July 2026, new suppliers will be required to complete an Eftsure verification before Cook Shire Council can make payments to them.

Existing suppliers may also be asked to verify their information, particularly when updating business or banking details.

Suppliers will receive an email from Eftsure inviting them to securely provide or confirm information including:

  • business or organisation name
  • Australian Business Number
  • business and contact details
  • bank account details.

Eftsure may also contact suppliers by phone as part of the independent verification process.

 

Why Council is using Eftsure

Payment fraud and cybercrime are an increasing risk for organisations and businesses.

Fraudulent requests to change supplier banking details can result in payments being redirected to an incorrect account.

Eftsure adds an independent verification step to Council’s supplier onboarding and payment processes, helping to:

  • confirm supplier business and banking information
  • reduce the risk of payments being made to an incorrect or fraudulent account
  • identify unauthorised changes to supplier details
  • strengthen Council’s financial controls.

 

What suppliers need to do

When your business is being established as a new Council supplier, you will receive an email invitation from Eftsure.

Please follow the instructions in the email and complete the verification process as soon as possible.

Council may be unable to establish a new supplier, update supplier details or process payments until verification is complete.

 

Existing suppliers

Existing suppliers may also receive an email from Eftsure asking them to verify their current business and banking information.

Receiving an invitation does not mean there is a problem with your supplier account. It is part of Council’s strengthened payment security process.

 

Changing your supplier or banking details

Suppliers must notify Cook Shire Council when their business, contact or banking information changes.

Any request to change supplier or bank account details will be independently verified through Eftsure before Council updates its records or makes payments using the new details.

To request a change, contact Cook Shire’s Account team by email to accounts@cook.qld.gov.au or by phoning Council on
(07) 4082 0500.

 

More information and support

For more information about Eftsure and the supplier verification process, visit:

For questions about Cook Shire Council’s supplier onboarding or payment processes, contact:

Cook Shire Council Accounts Team
Phone: (07) 4082 0500
Email: accounts@cook.qld.gov.au    

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why does Council use Eftsure?

When electronic payments are processed, banks do not always match the account name against the account number and BSB.

Eftsure independently checks supplier business and banking information, helping Council confirm that payments are being made to the intended recipient.

Do all suppliers need to complete Eftsure verification?

All new suppliers will be required to complete the verification process before receiving payment from Cook Shire Council.

Existing suppliers may also be asked to verify their information, particularly when changing their business or banking details.

What information will I need to provide?

You may be asked to provide or confirm:

  • your Australian Business Number
  • business or organisation name
  • business address
  • contact details
  • bank account details
  • GST registration status.
Do I have to complete the verification online?

Suppliers who do not wish to complete the online form may be able to select phone verification.

An Eftsure team member will then contact you to collect and verify the required information.

What happens after I submit my information?

Eftsure will independently verify the information you provide.

Once the verification process is complete, you will receive a confirmation email from Eftsure.

I have previously completed an Eftsure verification. Do I need to do it again?

Your business may already be verified through Eftsure, as the platform is used by many Australian businesses and councils.

You should still follow the instructions in the invitation. Eftsure will advise whether any further information or action is required.

Why can’t I simply provide my bank details to Council by phone or email?

Council requires supplier banking details to be collected and independently verified through Eftsure.

This additional check helps confirm the information is accurate and reduces the risk of payments being redirected to an incorrect or fraudulent account.

What happens if I do not complete the verification?

Council may be unable to establish your business as a supplier, update your information or process payment until verification is complete.

Will my details only be checked once?

Eftsure does more than complete a one-off supplier check. The platform continues to confirm supplier banking information as part of Council’s payment process, providing an additional level of protection when payments are made.

Does this change how I submit invoices?

No. Suppliers should continue submitting invoices through Council’s existing process unless advised otherwise.

Eftsure is used to verify supplier business and payment information.

How do I update my supplier or banking details?

Contact Cook Shire Council’s Accounts Team to request an Eftsure change process.

Suppliers are responsible for ensuring their details remain accurate and notifying Council promptly of any changes or discrepancies.