Apple introduces Tap to Pay on iPhone in Australia

New capability empowers local businesses to seamlessly and securely accept contactless payments, using only an iPhone and a partner-enabled iOS app

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (May 17, 2023) – Apple today introduced Tap to Pay on iPhone in Australia, empowering local businesses of any size to accept in-person contactless payments on iPhone. From small to medium-sized businesses — including tradies and market stall holders — to large retailers and hospitality groups, merchants in Australia can now use their iPhone to seamlessly and securely accept Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards,¹ and other digital wallets using their iPhone and a partner-enabled iOS app — no additional hardware or payment terminal needed.

In Australia, contactless payments are ubiquitous. Now, with the introduction of Tap to Pay on iPhone, Australian businesses can accept contactless payments from wherever they do business. Merchants can enable Tap to Pay on iPhone through a supporting iOS app on an iPhone Xs or later device running iOS 16.4 or later. Once enabled, merchants will simply prompt customers to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch to pay with Apple Pay, their contactless credit or debit card, or other digital wallet near the merchant’s iPhone, and the payment will be securely completed using NFC technology. Tap to Pay on iPhone also supports PIN entry, which includes accessibility options.

“Australia is a nation of entrepreneurs and innovators, and small and medium-sized businesses are at the heart of the country’s workforce, employing millions of Australians. Now, with Tap to Pay on iPhone it’s easier than ever for businesses of any size to seamlessly accept contactless payments using only their iPhone, wherever they do business,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. “The convenience of Tap to Pay on iPhone empowers Australian businesses to offer easy, secure, and private contactless payment experiences to their customers, and help them run and grow their business.”

Privacy is fundamental in the design and development across all of Apple’s payment features. With Tap to Pay on iPhone, customers’ payment data is protected by the same technology that makes Apple Pay private and secure. All transactions made using Tap to Pay on iPhone are encrypted and processed using the Secure Element, and as with Apple Pay, Apple doesn’t know what is being purchased or who is making the purchase.

Starting today, Westpac and Tyro Payments are the first payment platforms in Australia to offer Tap to Pay on iPhone to their business customers. Additional payment platforms and apps, including ANZ Worldline Payment Solutions, Stripe, Till Payments, and Zeller, will make this secure and convenient capability available in the coming months. Tap to Pay on iPhone is available for any payment platform or app developer to enable that is able to meet the technical requirements to enable Tap to Pay on iPhone.

Tap to Pay on iPhone works with contactless credit and debit cards from leading payment networks, including eftpos, Mastercard, Visa, and American Express.² Tap to Pay on iPhone will also roll out to Apple Store locations in Australia later this year.

“We’re delighted to offer businesses another flexible and fast payment option with Tap to Pay on iPhone,” said Chris de Bruin, Westpac’s chief executive of Consumer and Business Banking. “Our business customers can be onboarded and start accepting quick and secure payments on the go within minutes, with only an iPhone and the Westpac EFTPOS Air iOS app — no additional hardware needed. This new capability is particularly beneficial for any business that takes payments on the road or needs its staff to be more mobile on the shop floor. It’s a game changer for tradies, delivery drivers, businesses like hairdressers, mechanics or florists, and many more.”

“Tap to Pay on iPhone is a fantastic, simple, and secure way for new or existing Tyro customers to accept payments using only their iPhone, anytime, anywhere — without the need for additional hardware,” said Jon Davey, Tyro’s CEO. “We are excited to introduce this new offering to our customers, providing greater flexibility when staff are working onsite or are on the move. It couldn’t be simpler. Just download the Tyro BYO App to start accepting customer payments on your iPhone in minutes.”

With this new capability, virtually every business, big or small, will be able to allow their customers to Tap to Pay on iPhone at checkout. Businesses can also sign up for Tap to Pay on iPhone through distribution partnerships, including through Telstra.

The launch of Tap to Pay on iPhone in Australia expands on Apple’s existing offering of powerful hardware, along with seamless software and services that businesses of all sizes across the country are harnessing every day to manage their operations and connect directly with customers. To learn more about Apple’s small business tools and to understand how innovative Australian entrepreneurs and enterprises have been globally recognised for taking advantage of the Apple ecosystem to optimise how they run, scale, and serve their customers, visit apple.com/au/business/small-business.