Google’s Android Pay coming to Australia in 2016

Digital wallet to launch next year

Google’s digital wallet, Android Pay, will launch in Australia next year, the company announced today.

The Near Field Communication-based system works with standard contactless payment terminals and NFC-capable devices that run the search giant’s mobile platform.

Android Pay includes support for storing loyalty cards and gift cards, and the payment platform can also be used as a checkout system for purchases within mobile apps.

Google said Android Pay would launch in Australia in the first half of 2016. Australia is the first country outside the US to get access to the digital wallet.

The company offered details about the platform earlier this year.

Google said it was working on adding Eftpos support to Android Pay.

Banks supporting the rollout include ANZ, Westpac, the Bank of Melbourne, the Bank of South Australia, Bendigo Bank, Cuscal, ING Direct, Macquarie Bank, and St George.

“This is an important milestone in the evolution of the mobile payments landscape and Google’s decision to make Australia one of the first markets after the United States to implement Android Pay demonstrates how quick Australians adopt new technologies,” ANZ managing director products and marketing, Matt Boss, said in a statement.

“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 said it still planned to release its own Android-based mobile wallet in 2016.

“Mobile banking plays a key role in customer satisfaction and advocacy, and as an extension of this, so too will mobile payments,” said Lisa Claes, executive director for customer delivery at ING Direct.

“People want their finances and their spending integrated, to be convenient and easy to manage. Our focus is very much on supporting our customers to have the freedom to manage their money and spending in line their individual needs and preferences, by offering a variety of payment choices in a secure and safe environment.”

Apple has launched its mobile digital wallet, Apple Pay, in Australia. However, in Australia the platform currently supports only American Express cards.

Read more: Apple Pay in Australia: Customers lose out and all parties share the blame

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Tags GoogleApplemobile paymentsdigital walletsApple Paymobile walletsAndroid Pay

More about American ExpressANZAppleAustraliaBendigo BankBossGoogleING DirectMacquarie BankNearNFCWestpac

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