Accepting payments

The Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card can be used at Australian retailers for travel related purchases in store, online or over the phone. 

By applying for the card and accepting the Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card terms, cardholders are aware that:

  • the card is to be used for travel related purchases only, and 
  • if a retailer does not accept the card, they will need to use an alternative form of payment.

Merchant category codes

You can accept Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card payments if your business is using one of the following travel related merchant category codes:

  • 4111 – Local/suburban commuter passenger transportation – railroads, ferries, local water transportation
  • 4112 – Passenger railways
  • 4121 – Taxis
  • 5541 – Service stations (with or without ancillary services)
  • 4131 – Bus lines
  • 5983 – Fuel
  • 4789 – Transportation services (not elsewhere classified)
  • 5542 – Automated fuel dispensers
  • 9399 – Government services (not elsewhere classified)
  • 4011 – Railroads– Freight
  • 763 – Agricultural co-operatives
  • 5172 – Petroleum and petroleum products
  • 5552 – Electronic vehicle charging

Merchant category codes are used to classify businesses by the type of goods or services they provide. If you’re not sure which merchant category code you’re using, you can check with your merchant acquirer or payments provider.

Fuel payments at service stations and mixed businesses

After putting fuel into their car, the cardholder will need to swipe or tap the Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card using a point-of-sale terminal. The cardholder will then need to select ‘credit’ (not ‘savings’ or ‘cheque’), and enter their personal identification number (PIN).

The transaction will be accepted if you are operating with a service station or fuel category code.

Online and over the phone payments

The card can be used for one-off payments online or over the phone. Cardholders will provide their card number, card expiry date (printed on the front of the card) and CVV number (the 3-digit card verification value found on the back of the card).

The transaction will be declined if your business is operating under a non-travel related merchant category code.

Split payments

If the total cost of the transaction is more than the card balance, you can ask the cardholder to:

  • pay the outstanding balance in cash or by using a different card (if you accept split payments), or
  • use an alternative method of payment for the entire purchase (if you don’t accept split payments).
Last updated: 13 February 2024