UnionPay introduces QR Code payment solution in Australia and New Zealand

By Edil Corneille

UnionPay International (UPI) is now introducing the UnionPay QR code payment technology to merchants in Australia and New Zealand. The service is accepted at over 30 million merchants in 41 countries and regions. It was first launched in 2017, in compliance with the EMV specifications to offer higher security and interoperability.

Retailers in Australia and New Zealand are now able to provide easy ‘scan&go’ payments for the safety of their staff and customers in wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Users of the UnionPay App as well as hundreds of UnionPay-powered e-wallet products around the globe will be able to pay quickly and easily with merchants accepting UnionPay QR codes.

Dr. Jian Jiangtao, an expert in payment solutions and innovative product development, who recently joined UnionPay International’s South Pacific team to lead the company’s operations in the area said, “While overseas use of the QR code payment method has increased recently, it’s always been a popular mobile payment method since we introduced it as an option integrated within our UnionPay app, which offers fantastic shopping incentives.

“QR codes provide the ultimate contactless payment convenience with the shopper only needing to open the app, scan the retailer’s dedicated QR code and the payment’s all done in a second, without the shopper having to touch anything other than their phone.

“QR codes can be scanned with the most popular smartphone devices, and the payment system is more cost-effective for SME merchants,” added Dr. Jian.

The international payment network is available to over 300 million registered users of the UnionPay app, as well as users of e-wallets with UnionPay QR code payment functions.