Australian shoppers will soon be able to tap and pay up to $200
Shoppers will soon be able to use tap and go at the checkout for amounts up to $200 without requiring a PIN in a move to limit the use of cash.
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Shoppers using tap and go payments at the checkout will be able to make purchases of up to $200 from next week.
In another move to reduce the of use of cash during the COVID-19 pandemic the nation’s payment industry is increasing the limit for contactless payments from $100 to $200.
This means no PIN will be required for payments up to $200.
This is a temporary measure that will be put in place for three months as a starting point.
The Australian Payments Network (AusPayNet) – the self-regulatory body for the payments industry – said the doubling of the amount will reduce the need for physical contact with the payment terminal and handling of notes and coins.
The new payment limit will be progressively introduced across certain cards and with certain retailers with major supermarkets including Woolworths and Coles expected to be among the first.
Customers using tap and go terminals should follow the prompts when making a purchase as normal.
AusPayNet chief Andy White said it was a good move for consumers and made it easier to transact.
“The increased limit is a pragmatic and important response to a changing environment,” he said.
“Consumers are tending to buy more, less often.
“The new $200 contactless with mean fewer consumers need to touch the payment terminal.”
Woolworths confirmed from Tuesday customers can pay up to $200 using tap and go.
“We’ve been encouraging customers to use tap and go facilities where possible for a number of weeks now,” a spokesman said.
“By working with financial institutions to raise the tap and go limit we’re able to offer a contactless payment method for even more shopping trips.”
A Coles spokeswoman said the move would “help our customers shop safely by reducing unnecessary contact in our stores”.
“This is particularly helpful for families who would often spend more than $100 on their weekly shop,” she said.
The Assistant Minister Superannuation, Financial Services and Financial Technology Jane Hume said it was a good move for shoppers.
“Contactless transactions are highly secure,” she said.
“It will help Australians stay safe and confident when shopping for essentials.”
The new payment limit will also apply to customers using digital wallets via other payment devices such as smartphones and smartwatches.
Originally published as Australian shoppers will soon be able to tap and pay up to $200
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