This week’s start of the new financial year could make things a little easier for Canberrans paying bills and recharging their MyWay public transport cards.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Changes to ACT government bill payment systems will speed up credit recharge on MyWay cards to between one and two working days. Users currently wait between three and five working days before their MyWay account is credited with transferred funds.
MyWay card holders can top up their account in retail stores or via BPAY and online recharge. Their account is automatically credited.
ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said a new online portal will also speed up payments for other services, including rates, housing rental, landfill fees, library and student fees, and ambulance accounts.
The ACT government payment portal will also have a new digital mailbox facility added to enable individuals and businesses to view their payment history through a secure access point.
''We live in a society that is increasingly moving towards online interaction, and these changes are designed to move in this same decision in regard to the way Canberrans make bill payments to the ACT government,'' Ms Gallagher said.
''The new process will allow people to receive payment information, bills and reminder notifications electronically. The ACT government will be providing the option to ‘opt-in’ to electronic notification of government bills over the next 12 months.''
Ms Gallagher said existing bill payment options, including face-to-face payments, will continue.
Limits on credit card payments will be increased from $5000 to $10,000 on most payments.
Existing Canberra Connect online payment tools for the majority of ACT government fees have been optimised for smartphone use, with self-service options including BPAY, credit card and specialised electronic funds transfer methods.
''Despite some people still choosing to pay bills in the more traditional ways, like in person, the clear advice to government is that more and more people are looking to pay bills online when and where it is convenient for them to do so,'' Ms Gallagher said.
She said the government was investing almost $85 million over four years in digital technology, including measures to reduce bureaucracy and improve service delivery.
