Image: Nekoroid
NSW customers of government services will be the first in the nation with the ability to make cashless payments using their Android smartphone. Service NSW has become the first government agency in Australia to adopt Google’s cashless Android Pay service.
Android Pay allows customers to use their chosen devices as a “mobile wallet”. Users simply add credit cards, debit cards and loyalty cards and can swipe their devices to pay.
The service is available to customers who bank with a growing number of participating banks and credit unions.
Service NSW customers will just ‘wake’ their phone and place it near a contactless terminal. They won’t even need to open an app.
Security considerations are allayed by the ability to lock a lost or stolen device from anywhere using Android Device Manager. Users can also remotely set a new password or delete personal information.
Android Pay is the latest enhancement the NSW government has made to simplify payments through the Service NSW Payment Services Platform, which now forms a single government-payments gateway that is designed to cut red tape and remove old legacy payment systems, including cheques.
Minister for Finance, Services and Property Dominic Perrottet said the new contactless payment service is now available to Android users in all Service NSW centres across the state.
“Around 90 per cent of people now have a mobile phone, and with the popularity of Android phones it makes sense for us to provide this quick, efficient option for our customers,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Governments have traditionally been very slow on the uptake when it comes to new technology, whereas customers latch on much more quickly.
“With Service NSW we are completely changing that – becoming fast followers – so that our customer service keeps pace with the options people want.”
According to Renee Gamble, Country Manager, Google for Work Australia, as well as introducing Android Pay Service NSW is leveraging other existing innovations from Google such as using Chrome as their digital platform, to provide better digital services for customers.
Android Pay is available now in every Service NSW centre, with plans to bring the service to Service NSW’s digital stores, website and app in the coming months.
