This provides the ability to make purchases and withdraw cash at the checkout of participating merchants when customers choose cheque or savings.

ANZ Customer Engagement Lead Kath Bray said: “ANZ is continually looking for ways to improve our customers’ payment experiences and this gives our three million Access Advantage Visa debit cardholders more choice when making payments using Apple Pay.

“Customers will still enjoy the same high level of convenience and security they have become used to with Apple Pay and eftpos,” Mrs Bray said.

eftpos Managing Director, Stephen Benton, said: "eftpos research shows payment choice is hugely important to customers and we’re excited ANZ debit cardholders will for the first time have the option to select eftpos to make a transaction from their CHQ or SAV account with Apple Pay."

Security and privacy is at the core of Apple Pay, which is transforming mobile payments with an easy, secure and private way to pay that’s fast and convenient. When customers use an ANZ debit card with Apple Pay, the card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and securely stored in the Secure Element on the device. Each transaction is authorised with a one-time unique dynamic security code.

Apple Pay is easy to set up and users will continue to receive all of the rewards and benefits offered by credit and debit cards. In stores Apple Pay works with iPhone SE, iPhone 6 and later, and Apple Watch.