Apple Pay in Australia Expanding to 31 Small Banks and Credit Unions

Apple recently inked a deal with Cuscal Payments Group, which will see Apple Pay expand to more than 30 small banks and credit unions in Australia in the near future. Apple Pay is expected to be available for up to four million Australian customers through the partnership.

Some of the banks and credit unions that will accept Apple Pay include Credit Union Australia, Bank Australia, Beyond Bank Australia, QT Mutual Bank, and Central West Credit Union, with a full list available on the Cuscal website. In a statement, Apple Pay vice president Jennifer Bailey said Apple is eager to expand the payments service in Australia.

applepaycuscal

"We want as many Australians as possible to be able to use Apple Pay," she said.

"Today more than 3500 banks across 12 countries already support Apple Pay and we think Cuscal's customers will really love using Apple Pay for everyday purchases in stores, apps and on the web."

While Apple Pay has been available in Australia since November of 2015 through partnerships with American Express and ANZ, other major banks in Australia have not signed on to accept Apple Pay and are embroiled in a dispute with Apple.

Three of Australia's largest banks, including Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, and Westpac, have filed an application with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to collectively negotiate with Apple to gain access to the NFC hardware in iPhones.

The banks want customers to be able to use already-established bank-run digital wallets rather than being limited to Apple Pay, but Apple does not allow third-party services to access the NFC chip built into the iPhone.

The banks have argued that Apple's refusal to allow access to the iPhone's hardware is an anti-competitive restriction, while Apple has told the ACCC that allowing the banks to "form a cartel" to dictate the terms of new business models would "set a troubling precedent," delay the introduction of "potentially disruptive technologies," and compromise security.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay

Popular Stories

apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
streaming black friday 2025

Best Black Friday Streaming Deals - Save Big on Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:14 pm PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air Flop Sparks Industry Retreat From Ultra-Thin Phones

Thursday November 27, 2025 3:14 am PST by
Apple's disappointing iPhone Air sales are causing major Chinese mobile vendors to scrap or freeze their own ultra-thin phone projects, according to reports coming out of Asia. Since the ‌iPhone Air‌ launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales and manufacturing cuts, while Apple's supply chain has scaled back shipments and production. Apple supplier Foxconn has...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...

Top Rated Comments

Speedy Dingo Avatar
118 months ago
Meanwhile at the other 3 major banks left that refuse to support Apple Pay...
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CosmicRichy Avatar
118 months ago
I have all my accounts with commonwealth bank. Hopefully they get over it and just accept that no one wants to use their crap digital wallets and Apple Pay is the way to go.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
swe Avatar
118 months ago
While 31 it sounds impressive , some of these are really small.... really a non event until the other three major banks sign up....or even one of them.
[doublepost=1478682092][/doublepost]

Living in London. From everyone I know apple or android pay is utilised by such a small number. I commute by tube everyday , such a tiny minory use their phone for contactless
In Australia over 53% of the population use contactless (in America its 9%). This rate is growing and some banks now only offer contactless cards. We have the highest uptake of the PayWave technology in the world and being able to use our phone or watch for payments is preferred to simply our cards as Apple Pay and Mobile Pay are far more secure than contactless cards. So in Australia, it's the majority that use contactless - being with ANZ I find using ApplePay is just easier than using my card. Eventually I won't need a wallet!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Robert.Walter Avatar
118 months ago
I have all my accounts with commonwealth bank. Hopefully they get over it and just accept that no one wants to use their crap digital wallets and Apple Pay is the way to go.
Good time to shop for a more customer oriented bank...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kangastu Avatar
118 months ago
Still no Suncorp or eta on when it will happen. Time to change my account to ANZ methinks.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Glenn.955 Avatar
118 months ago
With ANZ + my credit union I'm 100% covered.

Funny the 3 banks going to ACCC because they want to be less competitive.

I don't think they should open their NFC chip to the banks - not sure I really trust the banks to do a secure job. I do wish Apple could implement the ability to use other NFC services. Like my work pass, building FOB etc. And if it could somehow open my car even better!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)