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What do I need to be able to use contactless technology?

All you need is a Westpac card with the contactless technology. To find out if your card has contactless technology, check it has the contactless symbol on the front.

Do I need to select the credit, savings, or cheque buttons when I make a contactless transaction?

No, there's no need to press any buttons on the contactless terminal. With contactless technology the transaction is automatically processed to the transaction account or credit account linked to the CREDIT button.

Can I get cash out using contactless technology?

You can't get cash out from a contactless transaction i.e. by only holding your card against the terminal. However, if you have transaction accounts linked to your card and the merchant allows the cash out option, you can get cash out simply by pressing CHQ or SAV and swiping or inserting your card into the terminal. You will also need to enter your PIN.

How close does the card need to be to the terminal?

You should hold your contactless card within 4cm of the contactless terminal. If you choose to keep multiple cards in your wallet or purse while paying, only one card will be read by the contactless terminal. If you have multiple cards in your wallet or purse, the card read by the terminal and the account charged may not necessarily be the one you intended. The surest way is to remove the card you want to use from your wallet or purse and hold it against the contactless terminal.

How do I know when a purchase has been made?

The terminal will indicate when your transaction has been approved.

Will I receive a receipt for transactions I make?

A contactless payment is designed to let you make low value transactions quickly and conveniently. If you'd like a receipt to confirm the contactless transaction, just ask the merchant before you pay.

How will purchases with a contactless card appear on my account statement?

Purchases made with your contactless card will be displayed on your statement in the same way any other purchase you make with your card is displayed. This means you can now track all those small, everyday transactions on your statement.

What happens if I try to purchase goods $100 and over?

For purchases $100^[#] and over you can still use your contactless card by swiping or inserting the card in the terminal and providing your signature or PIN.

Can I use my card at merchants that don't have contactless terminals?

The card has a chip and magnetic stripe that also allows the card to be used in the same way a card without contactless technology is used^[#] (when you sign or enter a PIN to complete a transaction).

^[#]Cards can be used for purchases where Mastercard® and Visa are accepted and processed electronically (excluding cash and cash equivalent transactions at ATMs and over the counter at financial institutions, gambling merchants and a small number of merchants displaying the Mastercard® and Visa logos who elect not to accept the cards).

Is there a limit per contactless transaction?

Yes there is. You can use the contactless ‘tap and go’ function on Westpac Mastercard cards for purchases up to $100^[#]transaction. Simply, follow the prompts at each terminal to determine whether a PIN is required.

Why can't the contactless limit reduction for Westpac Mastercard cards be rolled out across all card and retailers at once?

The contactless ‘tap and go’ limit increase in 2020 was a temporary measure to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission in line with government requirements. With Australia re-opening its borders domestically and internationally, Mastercard have reverted the contactless limit to the pre COVID level.

Has contactless limit been changed on all Westpac cards?

There are some products such as our Westpac Handycard, where current contactless 'tap and go' limit has remained at $100.

How will I know if a retailer has the new contactless limit?

Just follow the payment terminal prompts. The payment terminal prompts will advise if a PIN needs to be entered for the transaction.

Security of contactless payments

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Could I unknowingly have made a purchase if I walk past the terminal?

No. Your card has to be within 4cm of the contactless terminal and held for more than half a second and the merchant must have first entered the amount for you to approve.

Is there any chance that payments may be taken twice from my account?

Contactless terminals are designed to accept one card per transaction at any time. All contactless terminals are tested and certified to confirm that a card is only read once before the transaction is completed. As a safeguard, each transaction must be completed (accepted or declined) before another one can be entered into the contactless terminal. If you believe that you have been charged twice for a transaction, contact the Cards Customer Service Line on 1300 651 089 (8am - 8pm Sydney Time, 7 days).

Why aren't signatures or PINs required?

To ensure that using contactless technology is as simple and convenient as cash, merchants that accept contactless payments do not require you to sign or enter your PIN for small purchases of under $100.^[#]

Is this technology as secure as my current card?

Yes. The Westpac and Mastercard® or Visa or American Express security systems will continue to offer you protection from unauthorised transactions. In addition, with contactless technology, you retain control of your card during the transaction, which reduces the risk of fraud.

I just went to two different stores and they had different contactless limits. Should I be worried?

It is very likely your experience may differ between stores and cards, while the contactless 'tap and go' limit is rolled out across the country and reverting to $100^[#] (from $200). Just continue to follow the payment terminal prompts. The payment terminal prompts will advise if the PIN needs to be entered for the transaction.

What do I do if my contactless card has been lost or stolen?

As with any other card, if you have lost your card or suspect unauthorised activity on your account, stop using your card and contact the Cards Customer Service Line on 1300 651 089 immediately. As with your current Mastercard® or Visa or American Express card, if you comply with the terms of the cardholder agreement and the terms of the Mastercard® Zero Liability policy or Visa Zero Liability policy or the American Express fraud protection guarantee (depending on your card type), you will be reimbursed for any unauthorised activity on your card.