To log into the TCU SmartCard eIM Internet Banking site, commonly known as your online SmartCard Account, click below.
To activate you new TCU SmartCard; click below, call us on 1800 828 232 (freecall) or visit a TCU Branch.
Welcome to the Traditional Credit Union (TCU) SmartCard website. Here you will find everything you need to know about how to use your SmartCard and SmartCard enhanced Income Management Account (SmartCard Account).
The SmartCard enhanced Income Management program is an initiative of the Australian Government.
There are restrictions on SmartCards and SmartCard Accounts to prevent access to cash and the purchasing of alcohol, tobacco products, gambling products, and specific cash-like products, gift cards and prepaid cards.
The following links provide more information about where you are able to shop and the functionality of the SmartCard and SmartCard Account.
For information on the enhanced Income Management program, please visit the www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/smartcard.
How it works
In the Northern Territory, the SmartCard enhanced Income Management program applies to people who were previously an eligible Cashless Debit Card program participant.
For most people in the Northern Territory, under the SmartCard enhanced Income Management program 50% of your welfare payments are placed on your SmartCard Account which restricts access to cash, purchasing alcohol, tobacco products or gambling products, and specific cash-like products, gift cards and prepaid cards. The remaining 50% of your welfare payments are placed into your regular bank account. This may differ depending on which measure you are on (e.g. the Child Protection Measure).
You get your temporary SmartCard at a TCU branch, or by going to select Services Australia service centres, participating Agents or from a Services Australia Remote Servicing Team. Once your temporary card is activated, your personalised SmartCard is sent in the mail. When you receive your personalised SmartCard, follow the instructions included to activate it.
The SmartCard looks and operates like a regular bank card and you can use it to shop almost anywhere, including online. While most merchants accept the SmartCard, you won’t be able to use it at places that primarily sell alcohol, tobacco products, gambling products, or specific cash-like products, gift cards or prepaid cards, which will decline the transaction at the point-of-sale. The withdrawal of cash is also not permitted. Click here for a list of blocked merchants, where your card will not be accepted.
Your SmartCard Account provides you with a range of payment options including BPAY, recurring deductions, and online transfers. There are limits on how much you can transfer.
You can see answers to Frequently Asked Questions by visiting our cardholder FAQs page.
You can read the Conditions of Use here.
For information on the enhanced Income Management program, please visit www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/smartcard.
Using your Smartcard to make in-store purchases
If you have contactless payments turned on, you can pay by tapping your card on a payWave enabled terminal and waiting for the transaction to be confirmed. There is no need to enter a PIN for purchases of $100 or less (or $200 or less at some businesses). The first time you use your SmartCard at an eftpos terminal you will be asked to provide your PIN.
You can find out how to turn on or off contactless payments here.
You can use your SmartCard at any store, with the exception of blocked merchants.
If you have forgotten your PIN, you can reset it by following these steps.
Using your SmartCard to make online purchases
To use your SmartCard to make a purchase online follow the merchant’s prompts to enter your SmartCard number and CVV (the three (3) digit number on the back of your card).
You can use your card to purchase unrestricted goods at online stores, with the exception of blocked merchants.
Transferring funds from your SmartCard Account
Total Daily Transfer Limit
There is a maximum amount of funds that you can transfer out of your SmartCard Account on any given day. This is called your ‘Total Daily Payment Limit’. By default, the Total Daily Payment Limit is set at a maximum amount of $10,000.
You can change your Total Daily Payment Limit at any time by logging into your online TCU SmartCard Account or the TCU SmartCard eIM mobile app, going to ‘Settings’ and following the prompts, or by calling the Customer Service Centre on 1800 828 232 (freecall).
You can find out your available account balance and remaining daily payment amount at any time by logging into your online TCU SmartCard Account or the TCU SmartCard eIM mobile app and going to ‘Settings’ and following the prompts, or by calling the Customer Service Centre on 1800 828 232 (freecall).
Daily Limit
The maximum amount you may spend using your SmartCard in any one day is set at $1,000 (which can be increased to up to $5,000). You can change the daily spend limit at any time by logging into your online TCU SmartCard Account or the TCU SmartCard eIM mobile app, going to ‘Settings’ and following the prompts, or by calling the Customer Service Centre on 1800 828 232 (freecall).
Internal transfers
There are no limits for transfers you make from your TCU SmartCard Account to another TCU SmartCard Account.
Internal transfers also include using your card to purchase goods or services at a point of sale terminal device or online, using BPAY Payments.
External transfers
If you have any private housing arrangements, including if you pay rent or board privately or have mortgage repayment obligations, you should contact the Services Australia SmartCard Hotline on 1800 252 604 (freecall) to discuss the options available to you.
There are no restrictions when transferring money from your TCU SmartCard Account to a Services Australia SmartCard enhanced Income Management Account (Services Australia SmartCard Account).
Shopping with your SmartCard
The TCU SmartCard looks and operates like a regular bank card and can be used at almost any merchant that accepts Visa or eftpos. The TCU SmartCard is also accepted online at merchants that do not sell restricted goods and services. The SmartCard enhanced Income Management program has arrangements in place to manage merchants that sell restricted goods, or a mixture of restricted and unrestricted goods.
A Mixed Merchant is a business that sells both restricted and unrestricted goods. Common examples of restricted goods are alcohol, tobacco products, gambling products, and specific gift cards and prepaid cards. Most Mixed Merchants will be able to accept your SmartCard for some purchases. Participating Mixed Merchants, included in the list here, have signed an agreement to accept the SmartCard.
Most Participating Mixed Merchants are pubs or hotels, where you can use your SmartCard to purchase food or accommodation and not alcohol or other restricted goods. Businesses who primarily sell unrestricted goods, such as licensed cafés and restaurants, will be able to accept the SmartCard automatically and will not appear on the Participating Mixed Merchant List.
Some merchants are blocked from accepting the SmartCard. Businesses whose primary business is selling restricted goods (such as pubs, TABs, casinos and bottle shops) will automatically be blocked and will not appear in the Blocked Merchant list. Some other businesses have been blocked to prevent access to cash and the purchasing of restricted goods. Businesses that have been blocked are listed in the Blocked Merchant List here.
Please note: Although BPAY payments to Australia Post are blocked, you can pay bills for other merchants (e.g. utility bills) at Australia Post.
