When Android Pay launched in the UK earlier this year, it was announced at the same time that Android’s mobile payment service would be coming to Australia at some point, as well. Now, it appears that Android Pay has launched in Australia today.
At this point, only one of the major banks in Australia has rolled out support for Android Pay and it’s Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, better known as ANZ. In the past it has been reported that a variety of banks are planning to support Android Pay, including Westpac, but they have yet to roll out support for the service .
Speaking to The Australian Financial Review, however, Google senior director of product management, Pali Bhat, said that customers should “stay tuned” for further announcements concerning bank partners in Australia. “We’re working closely with Westpac to make Android Pay available to Westpac card holders,” he said.
ANZ CEO Shayne Elliot explained that the goal of the bank is to “build the best digital bank for our customers,” noting that there is value in being the first bank to support Android Pay:
“Given Android is the most popular smartphone operating system in Australia, we know today’s announcement will be well received by both our retail and merchant customer. There is value in being a leader… this is a long game, but we want to be engaged and we want to be part of it from the very start. We’ve focused all our resources on being first.”
For comparison’s sake, Apple Pay, which launched in Australia last year, is supported by American Express and ANZ, so Android Pay is by no means lagging behind the trend right now.
Last month, Android Pay made its debut in Asia with a rollout in Singapore.
If you’re in Australia and use ANZ, head out to one of the many Android Pay-equipped retailers and try out the service. Let us know how it goes in the comments!
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