What is 'contactless' in Australia?

What does ‘contactless’ mean in Australia?

In Australia, contactless payment technology lets you pay by simply tapping your credit or debit card, smartphone, or even your smartwatch against a payment terminal. This method, known as “tap-and-go,” uses near-field communication (NFC) technology to make transactions fast and fuss-free. It’s incredibly common across Australia, and you’ll find it at most retailers, cafes, and even on public transport.

With the rise of mobile payment platforms like Apple Pay and Google Pay, using contactless has become even easier. These apps store a digital version of your card on your phone or other devices, ready to be tapped at a moment’s notice. Just hold your device near the payment terminal, authenticate with a fingerprint, face scan, or passcode, and you’re good to go.

The simplicity and quickness of contactless payments have made them very popular in Australia, particularly in busy city settings where saving time is crucial. Plus, in times when minimising contact is preferred for health reasons, being able to pay without touching anything but your own device is an added bonus.

What is the equivalent to contactless in Latin America?

Contactless payments are gaining popularity in most Latin American countries, most commonly known as ‘Pagos sin Contacto’ in Spanish or ‘Pagamento por aproximação’ in Portuguese. The main difference is how commonly it is accepted - whereas in LATAM countries you still need cash for some stores, in Australia acceptance of contactless payment is almost 100%.

How is contactless normally used in conversation?

Here are some examples of how contactless (or tap-and-go) is used on a day-to-day basis in Australia:

Can you check if that café accepts contactless? I didn’t bring any cash.

I don’t think I’ve carried cash in years - everything is paid by tap-and-go now.

Since the pandemic, I’ve noticed that even market stalls in Australia only take contactless.