The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a draft determination proposing to grant conditional authorisation AA1000690 to allow Australian Payments Network Limited (AusPayNet), Australian Payments Plus Limited (AP+), members of the Bulk Electronic Clearing System (BECS) Framework, members of the New Payments Platform Scheme and other stakeholders to discuss and share information to develop a common industry vision for Australia’s account-to-account payments infrastructure and reach in-principle agreement on how to achieve it. The proposed authorisation would cover collaboration on vision-setting and high-level alignment only. It does not authorise implementation of any agreed position, which would require a separate authorisation application if necessary. The Reserve Bank of Australia and Commonwealth Treasury will also be involved in the discussions, and the ACCC proposes that any final authorisation run for 18 months. Interim authorisation granted on 1 May 2025 remains in place to allow preparatory work so discussions can commence promptly if final authorisation is granted. Submissions on the draft determination are due by Friday 18 July 2025, after which the ACCC will make its final decision.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission 2025-07-03
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission proposes 18-month authorisation for payments industry coordination on the future of account-to-account infrastructure
The ACCC issued a draft determination proposing conditional authorisation for collaboration among Australian Payments Network Limited, Australian Payments Plus Limited, and others to develop a common vision for Australia's account-to-account payments infrastructure. The authorisation covers vision-setting and alignment discussions only, with submissions due by 18 July 2025, and interim authorisation granted on 1 May 2025 remains in place.