The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has granted interim authorisation to Australian Payments Network Limited (AusPayNet), Australian Payments Plus Limited (AP+), and current and future members of the Bulk Electronic Clearing System (BECS) Framework and the New Payments Platform Scheme, to support preparatory work linked to a proposed collaboration on account-to-account payments infrastructure. The application seeks to allow discussions and information sharing between the applicants and with third parties, including the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Commonwealth Treasury and industry participants, where reasonably necessary to develop a common industry vision for the future of Australia’s account-to-account payments infrastructure and reach in-principle agreement on how to achieve that future state. The interim authorisation is limited to establishing processes, gathering information, commencing planning and preparing for the proposed conduct, and does not extend to holding meetings or reaching any common position on the subject matter.