(26 September 2016 – Australia) Global payments technology company, Square, has launched its merchant device, the Square Reader in Australia.
In a press release, Square said the Reader costs A$19 and is the lowest-cost card reader available on the Australian market. Square Reader plugs directly into the headphone jack of an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet. Within minutes, sellers can be securely accepting Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit or debit card payments.
According to the firm, businesses pay 1.9 percent per transaction, regardless of card type, with funds deposited into any Australian bank account.
“We’re excited to bring Square Reader to Australia. Having been operating locally for the past year has allowed us to develop active partnerships with a wide range of businesses that, in turn, continue to help us test and refine a range of exciting payment solutions designed specifically for the Australian market,” Ben Pfisterer, Square’s Australian country manager said in the press release.
In a 2016 report, market analysts, East & Partners found that “contactless” payments was a priority for more than 90 percent of Australian businesses for the next 2 years, ranking higher than mobile phone payments, network settlement online reporting and security/fraud technology.