Afterpay interest-free payments

Afterpay works like a loan, but with zero interest, no extra costs and a whole lot more.

You might have already seen Afterpay as a payment option in stores and online. If you haven’t, you probably will soon. Afterpay is simple. When you buy something, simply select Afterpay as your payment method. Then you’ll have eight weeks to pay the amount back in four instalments, at no extra cost.

It’s already fully integrated in a lot of Australian stores so that you can buy now and pay later without paying a cent more than the price of whatever you’re buying.

How does Afterpay work?

You can start shopping with Afterpay by simply signing up and linking an Australian Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card. There’s no paperwork or complicated approvals process. All you have to do is sign up and confirm your details and you’re good to go.

• Online. Buy online by selecting Afterpay at the checkout.
• In store. Buy in store at selected retailers by using your phone to visit afterpayit.com.au and entering the amount you want. You’ll get a barcode on your phone that can be scanned at the cash register.

Two weeks after you’ve made your purchase, you’ll need to pay back the first quarter of the outstanding amount, with the remaining quarters paid back every two weeks after that. You’ll receive reminders before payments are due and they’ll be processed automatically when the time comes so that you don’t have to worry about it.

In order to make sure the service is free to use for everyone, the amount you can spend at any one time may be subject to approval, and with any purchases over $500 you’ll need to pay the first quarter at the time of purchase. All of this will be communicated to you before you’ve paid, so you can always make the right decision.

See the full Afterpay store list

Features of shopping with Afterpay

• No extra cost. It works like a no-interest loan. You have a lot longer to pay and you don’t have to pay a cent more than the actual cost of the item.
• Borrow what you need. Short on cash while shopping? Choose to pay for only part of the purchase yourself and use Afterpay for the rest.
• Immediate use. If you’re reading this on your phone, you could spend a minute signing up right now and start using Afterpay at nearly 1,000 stores right away.
• No advance signup for in-store purchases. Even if you don’t have an account, you can still walk into a selected retailer and choose Afterpay. You’ll just need to sign up later.
• Manage your account. Sign in to see your upcoming payments, orders and account information.
• Reminders. You’ll be notified ahead of time when a payment is coming up and how much it is so that you can make sure there’s no overdrawing.
• Automatic deductions. Each quarter amount is automatically deducted from your chosen card to make sure you can keep up with your repayments, even if you’re busy or you can’t get online.
• Refunds and more. Changed your mind? You can still get a refund for purchases you’ve made with Afterpay, in line with each store’s refunds policy.
• Pay in advance. You can pay instalments ahead of time to get them off your plate, once again at no extra cost.
• Market-leading security. Afterpay is a PCI DSS Level 1 certified compliant service provider. This is the highest level of payment security there is, for both your card details and your personal information.

How much does Afterpay cost?

Afterpay is a free service. There are only two costs involved and one of them is the cost of the item you’re buying. The other is a late fee for missed instalments.

If a deduction is unsuccessful, you will be notified and you will have a chance to log in and choose a different payment method. If you don't you'll be charged a $10 late fee. If you fail to make a payment within seven days you'll be charged a further $7. You can also change payment methods at any time, or even have multiple payment options to make sure you’re always able to keep up and keep using the Afterpay service.

If you fail to make repayments Afterpay holds the right to report it to a credit reporting bureau, such as Veda.

How to sign up for Afterpay

In order to sign up you have to:

• Be at least 18 years old and capable of entering into a legally binding contract
• Have a valid and verifiable email address and mobile number
• Have an Australian credit or debit card

And that’s it! Afterpay is not a store credit application. You don’t have to sign anything or fill out an application form, but Afterpay may check your credit. All you have to do make sure you’ve read the details, signed up online and you’re good to go.

Have more questions about Afterpay?

How does Afterpay make money?

Afterpay doesn't charge customers to use its service, but rather makes money by charging retailers fees for offering the service. It also makes some money (approximately 17%, according to SMH) by charging customers late fees.

Is it really "interest-free"?

Afterpay's platform will not charge you interest. However, if you use a credit card as your payment method then you can be charged interest. Interest-free periods on credit cards are usually 55 days if you have paid your previous statement period's balance in full, whereas Afterpay offers repayment terms of 56 days. Check the interest-free period on your credit card and aim to repay it within that timeframe if you really don't want to be charged interest with Afterpay.

Can I get a refund on an item I've purchased with Afterpay?

Yes, full and partial refunds are available. Keep in mind you may be charged for the item by Afterpay if the refund has not been processed by the retailer yet. However, you will be refunded for any payments. To find out about your refund, contact the retailer as they need to notify Afterpay they've received your item.

How do I know how much I have to spend each time I make a purchase with Afterpay?

Unfortunately, you don't. Afterpay uses an automated system to approve you for an amount on a purchase-by-purchase basis. According to Afterpay, the longer you've held an account and the more purchases you successfully repay, the more likely you are to be approved for a higher amount.