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The Salvos Trial Paywave Donations

22 May 2017

  • The Salvation Army is conducting the largest activation of Tap & Donate functionality by a charity in Australia 
  • Nearly 3 in 5 (57%; 10.8 million) Australians have been unable to donate to charity due to not having cash on them, with a quarter (24%; 4.5 million) being restricted in this way in the last week
  • Over 11.1 million Australian adults prefer card over cash for making a one off payment (59%)
  • Operating 550 terminals across every state in 400 locations to raise funds for the Red Shield Appeal
  • The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal takes place on Saturday 27th - Sunday 28th May 2017

The Salvation Army will roll out the first and largest paywave donation drive introducing 550 Tap & Donate points in the shape of red doors during the Red Shield Appeal this May. The introduction of the paywave doors comes as a recent survey by The Salvation Army reveals that nearly 3 in 5 (57%; 10.8 million) Australians have been unable to donate to charity due to not having cash on them, with a quarter (24%; 4.5 million) being restricted in this way in the last week.

The new paywave doors will assist over 11.1 million Australians adults (59%) who prefer using card over cash for making a one off payment. This particularly tackles the younger generation as the recent survey highlights Gen Y are the most likely to prefer using a card over cash for a one off payment (64%; cf. Gen X 55%, Baby Boomers 56%).

During The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal an army of 60,000 smiling volunteers will knock on doors and collect in public areas, as well as supervise the new paywave facilities. The Salvos are calling on Australians to dig deep and give generously to the Red Shield Appeal in an effort to raise $8 million to ‘give hope where it’s needed most’. All funds raised from the Appeal, both cash and card, will go directly to the Salvos social and community service programs.

The Salvation Army’s spokesperson Andrew Hill said the new facilities will assist the generosity of people in Australia, enabling more people to donate in support of The Salvation Army who provide invaluable help to over one million Australians in need each year.

Andrew Hill who has led the introduction of paywave donations in recent years is looking forward to seeing how the new machines are received:

“We trialled a very small amount of paywave machines at key static locations last year during the Red Shield Appeal which were well received. Having noticed that our donors are using cash less frequently, it is important that we move with the times and still provide them opportunities to donate via their preferred method.”

“Many families are having trouble paying basic necessities like electricity, gas and food bills. A lot of people are seeking our assistance for the first time and our services are facing increasing demand and pressure. There are also currently more than 105,000 Australians experiencing homelessness. Every donation to the Red Shield Appeal, whether it’s processed by cash or card, brings us one step closer to finding long term solutions for people experiencing crisis and disadvantage”, he said.


Every week The Salvation Army provides 100,000 meals, 2,000 beds and 8,000 grocery vouchers for people experiencing homelessness and provides refuge for 500 people fleeing abuse. On any given night The Salvation Army assists 2,000 people every night through crisis accommodation and provision of essential supplies.

The Red Shield Appeal is The Salvation Army’s main fundraising drive and all funds raised go directly to social programs offered to Australians experiencing crisis and disadvantage. The Salvos aim to raise $8 million on the weekend of 27 – 28 May to help ‘give hope where it’s needed most’.

You can donate to the Red Shield Appeal Doorknock by calling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58), online at salvationarmy.org.au, in person at any Westpac branch or by posting your cheque to PO Box 9888 in your capital city.

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The Salvation Army Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet and work and pay our respect to Elders past, present and future.

We value and include people of all cultures, languages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and intersex status. We are committed to providing programs that are fully inclusive. We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of people of all ages, particularly children.

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The Salvation Army is an international movement. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name with love and without discrimination.

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13 SALVOS (13 72 58)

Gifts of $2 or more to the social work of The Salvation Army in Australia are tax deductible.Details and ABNs

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