A recent Mastercard survey highlights the increasing popularity of digital payment methods among Australians. Over 80% of Australians use contactless payments, also known as “tap and go,” weekly. This preference is so strong that a significant number of consumers get frustrated when stores don’t offer this option, with some even choosing to shop elsewhere.

Supermarkets, retail stores, and petrol stations are the most common places where Australians use contactless cards. Mastercard Australia and New Zealand’s Head of Market Development and Payment Innovation, Garry Duursma, emphasizes that Australians view tap and go as a faster and more convenient payment method. The survey results show a growing demand for businesses to adopt modern payment solutions, as most Australians believe contactless technology improves the customer experience.

Consumers are also becoming more confident in the security of contactless payments. Contactless cards offer the same level of security as chip and pin payments. Mastercard’s Zero Liability policy makes contactless payments even safer than using cash, which can be lost or stolen. The survey shows a significant increase in the number of Australians who feel secure using contactless technology.

Duursma points out that contactless payments have become seamlessly integrated into the daily lives of Australians. He sees this as a sign that consumers understand and appreciate the benefits of this technology. With a variety of innovative payment options available today, further advancements in this field are expected as people seek greater convenience in their busy lives.

While tap and go is becoming increasingly common, mobile payments present a significant growth opportunity in Australia. Currently, only 26% of Australians know about contactless payment options on their mobile phones. However, a large portion of those unaware of this technology on their phones express interest in using it if available. This indicates a positive trend towards the wider adoption of digital wallets.

Mastercard is actively shaping the future of digital payments globally. They are developing secure and innovative payment solutions across different channels and devices, including digital wallets, tokenization, and new safety and security features.

Detailed findings:

Tap and go/contactless

• Over 82% of Australians use tap and go/contactless payments every week.

  • This includes 84% of males and 79% of females.
  • 88% of Millennials, 83% of Generation X, and 72% of Baby Boomers use this technology.
  • Geographically, adoption is highest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory (85%), followed by South Australia (74%) and Western Australia (72%).
  • This represents an increase from 76% in December 2015.

• The benefits of tap and go/contactless payments are evident in their speed and convenience.

  • 81% of Australians find it “time-saving/quick,” increasing to 86% among daily users. This is up from 77% in December 2015.
  • 80% consider it convenient and easy, compared to 75% in December 2015.

• A significant portion of consumers value stores that offer tap and go.

  • One-third of Australians have been annoyed when a store didn’t offer this option. This sentiment is more prevalent among Millennials (46%) compared to Baby Boomers (20%).
  • 11% of Australians have avoided a store for not offering tap and go/contactless payments. This is more common among Millennials (15%) than Baby Boomers (5%).
  • 71% of Australians believe businesses that offer contactless technology are making things easier for customers, up from 62% in December 2015. One-third view these businesses as “modern and innovative.”

• Almost half (43%) of Australians are seeking an improved and enhanced shopping experience.

• Concerns about the security of contactless transactions are decreasing. 64% of Australians are now “not very concerned” about security when using tap and go/contactless, compared to 58% in December 2015 and 46% in 2014.

Contactless payments via mobile

• 26% of Australians are aware of contactless payment options on their mobile phones.

  • Awareness is higher among Millennials (34%) than Generation X (24%) and Baby Boomers (18%).
  • 35% of those who use tap and go/contactless daily have this feature on their phones.
  • Of those aware of having mobile contactless capability, 28% use it weekly, while 72% use it less frequently.