Google trumps Apple by signing up ANZ, Westpac and Coles for contactless Android payments

Google pulls off a major coup by signing ANZ, Westpac and major retailers to its contactless payment service.

Google has pulled off a major coup in Australia by signing up Westpac, ANZ and major retailers such as Coles to its contactless payment service.

Google has pulled off a major coup in Australia by signing up ANZ, Westpac and major retailers such as Coles to its contactless payment service.

While Apple has struggled to attract Australian partners to its rival iPhone-based Apple Pay, Google has linked up with two of the big four banks, Coles, Telstra, McDonald’s and others to offer Australians the option of paying for goods and services using their Android mobile phones.

Google has already launched Android Pay in the US and will roll out the service to Australia next year.

“Aussies will be able to use Android Pay everywhere contactless payments are accepted,” Google product management director Pali Bhat wrote in a blog post.

“You will also be able to use Android Pay for fast checkout within apps — no more entering your payment or address details every time you want to shop.”

Users will be able to use their phone in stores the same way as they currently use a contactless card: holding it to a terminal to make a payment linked to their Mastercard or Visa credit and debit cards.

ANZ said its customers will be able to use Android Pay by the middle of 2016.

“Australians are already the highest users of contactless payments in the world and, given the dominance of Android in the local smartphone market, it made sense for us to partner with Google on the introduction of Android Pay into Australia,” ANZ products and marketing managing director Matt Boss said.

“Android Pay will provide our customers with a quick and secure way to make payments with their smartphone and we think it will have strong uptake given the ability to incorporate additional features such as gift and loyalty cards.”

Apple Pay launched in Australia last month with American Express as its lone partner although, without bank support, cards must be directly issued by Amex rather than third parties in order to work.

In contrast, Bendigo Bank, Bank SA, ING Direct, 7Eleven, Domino’s, Gloria Jean’s and Menulog are among those supporting the rival Android service.

AAP