Apple Pay has been slow to gain traction in Australia as Apple fights with the large banks for adoption. Now, however, Apple has signed a deal with payments group Cuscal that will see the mobile payments service come to more than 30 credit unions and small banks in the country.

Apple also today added Orange Cash in France to its list of banks that support the service.

According to a report from news.com.au, the partnership will see Apple Pay comes to over 4 million users in Australia, with the number of Cuscal customers supporting the platform expected to continue to grow. Notable inclusions are Credit Union Australia, Bank Australia, Teachers Mutual Bank Limited and People’s Choice Credit Union. The full list can be found here.

In a statement, Cuscal managing director Craig Kennedy explained that he hopes the partnership will encourage major banks and institutions to resolve their differences with Apple and put the goo d of the consumer at the forefront of efforts.

“I hope that Apple and the banks find some middle ground here because I think it would be everybody’s interest if they found a solution for their current stalemate,” Mr Kennedy said. “The more people use these services and the more cards that are in there, the more common that it becomes and it lifts everybody. “Whenever you’ve got a few people doing it, it’s going to hold back the growth and the acceptance of this sort of behaviour. And I don’t think that’s in the interests of any of the parties that are currently in dispute. “I hope they find a way through all of that.”

Apple Pay head Jennifer Bailey also commented on Apple’s partnership with Cuscal, explaining that Apple wants as many Australians as possible to use Apple Pay. Bailey also explained that the partnership will bring Apple Pay not only to retail stores, but also to apps and websites.

“We want as many Australians as possible to be able to use Apple Pay,” she said. “Today more than 3500 banks across 12 countries already support Apple Pay and we think Cuscal’s customers will really love using Apple Pay for everyday purchases in stores, apps and on the web.”

In addition to the new credit unions and institutions that come as part of the Cuscal partnership, Apple Pay is supported in Australia by ANZ and American Express, while other banks are also working to gain approval to partner with Apple to support the service.

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