Regulation
News on regulation, including from Treasury, the RBA, ACCC, AUSTRAC and other authorities
Fintech
+2
Mar 18, 2026
•
Consultation looks at PSPs, ePayments Code powers and unclaimed funds
Treasury has launched a consultation on new legislation for payments service providers (PSPs), including power to make rules for a mandatory and revised ePayments Code and new controls for unclaimed monies.
Cash
+4
Mar 18, 2026
•
Debit cards hit 77% of volume and 70% of in-store purchase value for first time
Australian consumers continued their shift towards debit cards in January 2026, with debit reaching 77% of volume and a milestone 70% share of in-store card purchase value for the first time on record.
Cash
+1
Mar 11, 2026
•
Is banking politics at play in lingering cash saga?
Despite the promise of special interest deals and approved closed-shop negotiations, Australia’s high drama cash distribution saga has dragged on for almost three years.
Fintech
+3
Mar 4, 2026
•
Blended rates, fintech carve-outs and a trillion-dollar gatekeeper: who really pays?
Australia's parliamentary payments inquiry stripped back the complexity to expose three uncomfortable truths: small businesses are subsidising the system, fintechs want exemptions that would make it worse, and Apple won't even say what it charges.
Fintech
+4
Feb 25, 2026
•
Threatened “Zero Cost” Smartpay changes name and wants AusPayNet review
With its business model on the brink, blended rate terminal operator Smartpay has changed its name and come out swinging on surcharge regulation, scheme fees, Apple Pay and big bank dominance, including the role of the industry’s “governance body” AusPayNet.
Cash
+4
Feb 18, 2026
•
Australia breaks new records on card spending ... and merchant fees
New data shows 2025 saw record card usage in Australia, but fees charged to merchants for accepting those cards also increased across almost all card categories.
Fintech
+2
Feb 4, 2026
•
Growing pains. Square wants scheme regulation as it expands market focus
The US-based group is celebrating 10 years in the Australian market and says more regulation is needed on card schemes as it shifts gears to chase bigger merchants.
Fintech
+2
Jan 28, 2026
•
AUSTRAC audit clouds Airwallex IPO and highlights cross-border regulatory risk
The planned float of Australian fintech Airwallex has been thrown into doubt after AUSTRAC ordered an independent audit over concerns its payments systems may be failing to detect serious financial crime, including child sexual exploitation — sharpening investor focus on governance and bank relationships.