Android Pay is coming to Australia next year, with Google taking on the likes of Apple’s rival Apple Pay service in the emerging and highly competitive mobile payments market.Pali Bhat, director, product management, has announced via a blog post that Google will be bringing Android Pay to Australia in the first half of 2016.
“We’re working closely with many of Australia’s major financial institutions – including ANZ, Westpac, Bank of Melbourne, Bank of South Australia, Bendigo Bank, Cuscal, ING Direct, Macquarie Bank and St. George – with the aim of bringing Android Pay to their card holders in 2016, and will continue to work with more banks throughout the year,” Bhat stated.
“When Android Pay arrives in Australia next year, it will support MasterCard and Visa credit and debit cards. We’re also working with eftpos to support their cards in Android Pay.”
Meanwhile, Apple Pay launched in Australia last month for American Express card holders. It is not known when or which banks will support Apple Pay, with interchange fees reportedly an issue.
Bhat stated that Australians will be able to use Android Pay everywhere contactless payments are accepted.
Retailers working to support Android Pay’s launch include: 7-Eleven, Brumby’s Bakery, Coles Express, Coles Supermarkets, Crust Gourmet Pizza, Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Donut King, Gloria Jean’s Coffees, McDonald’s, Michel’s Patisserie, Pizza Capers and Telstra.
Users can also use Android Pay within apps, with Bhat stating that at launch Google expects the feature to be available in Australian apps including: Catch of the Day, EatNow, GoCatch, Kogan.com, Menulog, OzSale, Rewardle and The Iconic.
“We’re approaching Android Pay the same way we approach every other part of the Android family – partnering with the ecosystem,” Bhat stated.
“We’re bringing together payment networks, banks and retailers to deliver you choice and flexibility, and offering developers an open platform to collectively push mobile payments forward.”
