Australian Payments Network Limited and Ors

On 21 February 2025, Australian Payments Network Limited (AusPayNet) and Australian Payments Plus Limited (AP+) lodged an application on behalf of themselves and members of the Bulk Electronic Clearing System (BECS) Framework and the New Payments Platform (NPP) Scheme to engage in discussion and the sharing of information between each other and/or third parties (including the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Commonwealth Treasury and industry participants) for the purpose of, and to the extent it is reasonably necessary for, the development of a common industry vision regarding the future of account to account (A2A) payments infrastructure in Australia and the in-principle agreement as to how that desired future state should be achieved.

In Australia, electronic transactions between financial institutions, including payroll, recurring payments to merchants and some one-off A2A transfers have been processed via BECS. In June 2023, the Australian Commonwealth Government announced its support for an industry-led, phased transition away from BECS.

The parties intend to engage in the proposed conduct via a Roundtable for discussions between the Applicants, the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Commonwealth Treasury, and two forums: the AusPayNet PRC-Sponsored Member Workshop (PSMW) and the AP+ Review Standing Committee (ARSC).

Authorisation is sought for 18 months. AusPayNet has also requested interim authorisation to enable it to engage in conduct related to the PSMW and ARSC, including setting up the PSMW and ARSC and other preparatory steps. 

The ACCC invites the views of interested parties on this application and request for interim authorisation. Submissions in relation to interim authorisation are requested by 12 March 2025. All other submissions are requested by 7 April 2025. If you wish to make a submission in relation to this matter, please lodge it via this web form.

An indicative timetable for the ACCC’s assessment is set out below.