ePayments Code

The ePayments Code was released on 20 September 2011 (see media release 11-205MR).

What is the ePayments Code?
Who is bound by the new Code?
What does the new Code do?
What does it mean for consumers?
Exemptions and declarations under the Code
Download the Code

What is the ePayments Code?

The ePayments Code regulates consumer electronic payment transactions, including ATM, EFTPOS and credit card transactions, online payments, internet and mobile banking, and BPAY.

It was formerly known as the Electronic Funds Transfer Code of Conduct (EFT Code) which has existed since 1986.

ASIC is responsible for the administration of the ePaymentsCode, including compliance monitoring and reviewing it regularly.

The ePayments Code has commenced. Organisations are progressively transitioning from the old EFT Code and will all have done so by 20 March 2013.

Who is bound by the new Code?

Virtually all banks, credit unions and building societies currently subscribe to the EFT Code along with a number of non-banking subscribers. The ePayments Code continues to be a voluntary code of practice.

Re-subscription of EFT Code subscribers to the ePayments Code commences from the Codes release date (20 September 2011). ASIC strongly encourages organisations that provide electronic payments who have not previously subscribed to the EFT Code to subscribe to the new Code.

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Subscribe to the new ePayments Code now

What does the new Code do?

The ePayments Code plays an important role in the regulation of electronic payment facilities in Australia.

It complements other regulatory requirements, including financial services and consumer credit licensing, advice, training and disclosure obligations under the Corporations Act 2001 and the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009.

Among other things, the ePayments Code:

requires subscribers to give consumers clear and unambiguous terms and conditions,
stipulates how terms and conditions changes (such as fee increases), receipts and statement need to be made
sets out the rules for determining who pays for unauthorised transactions, and
establishes a regime for recovering mistaken internet payments.

There are more limited requirements for low value facilities that can hold a balance of no more than $500 at any one time.

What does it mean for consumers?

The Code only protects consumers who deal with a subscriber. You should check that the banking or payment services organisation you are dealing with is a subscriber by

checking the ASIC register of subscribers; or
checking their terms and conditions (if the company is a subscriber, it will say so in the product’s terms and conditions)

Exemptions and declarations under the Code

As the administrator of the ePayments Code, ASIC may exempt or declare that the application of the Code is modified in a specified way. A written instrument will be created to give effect to the exemptions or declarations, and published on this website.

Subscribers who would like to make an application for an exemption or declaration under the Code should follow the procedures set up for the application process.

More information about the procedures

List of instruments under the Code

Download the ePayments Code

View the latest version of the Code (PDF 458KB)

View previous amendments

Other financial services industry codes of conduct

ASIC Website: Printed 06/20/2013

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