On 3 July 2025, the ACCC issued a draft determination proposing to grant authorisation AA1000690 with conditions to enable 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 industry stakeholders to the proposed conduct:
- engage in discussions and share information for the purpose of developing a common industry vision regarding the future of account-to-account payments infrastructure in Australia, and
- reach the in-principle agreement as to how that desired future state should be achieved.
The Reserve Bank of Australia and Commonwealth Treasury will also be involved in these discussions.
Authorisation has not been sought, or granted, for industry to implement any agreed position. Implementation of any agreed position will be the subject of a separate application for authorisation if necessary.
The ACCC granted interim authorisation on 1 May 2025 for the parties to engage in preparatory work that would allow discussions to commence promptly if the ACCC grants final authorisation.
The ACCC proposes to grant authorisation for 18 months.
The ACCC is now seeking submissions in response to the draft determination by Friday 18 July 2025 before making its final decision.
Further information about the ACCC’s decision is available on the ACCC’s public register at Australian Payments Network Limited and Ors.