Payment outage hits Australia: Customers stranded at the checkout and unable to use Mastercard, Apple Pay and Android Pay

By AIDAN WONDRACZ, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR, AUSTRALIA Published: 07:13, 15 August 2026 | Updated: 07:24, 15 August 2026 Australians around the country have complained about being unable to pay at major outlets due to a global Mastercard issue. Customers claimed they had been unable to complete transactions using bank cards, Apple Pay, Android Pay and Mastercard on Saturday. One said they had been unable to pay at Bunnings. 'Woolworths Ryde similar story with Westpac/CBA on phone payment not working', they wrote on Reddit. Another customer said only Visa payments were being accepted at their football club's Square terminal.  A Commonwealth Bank spokeswoman blamed a 'global Mastercard issue' for the payment outage.  'If customers experience a decline, please insert your card and select 'savings' to make payments via eftpos,' she said. 'All other CommBank services, including ATMs, remain available.' Australians around the country have complained about being unable to pay at major outlets due to a global Mastercard issue (stock image) Macquarie Bank warned customers online to expected difficulties.  'We're currently experiencing an issue with Mastercard debit cards,' it read. 'Our teams are working to fix this as a priority and apologise for any inconvenience caused.'