If your SmartCard is damaged, you can call the Customer Service Centre on 1800 828 232 (freecall) or, alternatively, go online and follow the steps below to arrange for a replacement SmartCard to be sent to you:

Log in to your online TCU SmartCard Account or TCU SmartCard eIM mobile app

• Click on the Settings link
• Click on the Replace Card link.

Depending on where you live, you may be able to pick up a temporary SmartCard from your nearest TCU branch or a Services Australia. 

Contact the TCU Customer Service Centre on 1800 828 232 (freecall) to find the nearest TCU branch that has temporary cards available or the SmartCard Hotline on 1800 252 604 (freecall) to find the nearest Services Australia location with TCU temporary cards available. 

TCU maintains all personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and its Privacy Policy. 

Any information shared between TCU and the Australian Government occurs within the requirements of privacy laws.  The Government only uses the data in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles.

Read the Conditions of Use for the TCU SmartCard here.

Yes.  You can choose to have contactless on or off. To make contactless payments using your SmartCard, log in to your online TCU SmartCard Account or TCU SmartCard eIM mobile app and go to ‘settings’ then ‘transaction settings’. 

Once you have selected to turn “ON” the contactless function on your Cashless Debit Card, you will need to make one purchase using your PIN number. After this initial transaction 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).

If you would like to turn off contactless payments, log in to your online TCU SmartCard Account or TCU SmartCard eIM mobile app and go to ‘settings’ then ‘transaction settings’ to turn “OFF” the contactless function on your SmartCard.

You can call our Customer Service Centre on 1800 828 232 (freecall) for assistance.

TCU does not charge fees to SmartCard participants.  You will be able to make unlimited purchases on your card and check your SmartCard Account balance or transaction history online for free.  Lost or stolen cards will be replaced at no cost.

No, interest is not paid on SmartCard Accounts issued under the SmartCard enhanced Income Management program.

In the Northern Territory, the SmartCard enhanced Income Management program applies to people who were previously an eligible CDC program participants (restricted welfare recipients on a CDC at 6 March 2023).

More information about the program criteria, types of payments and program locations can be found here.

You have received a SmartCard as part of the SmartCard enhanced Income Management program, an initiative of the Australian Government.

For most Northern Territory participants, 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).

The TCU SmartCard is issued by The Traditional Credit Union, the card provider.

For further information about the SmartCard enhanced Income Management program, please refer to www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/smartcard.

You can set up alerts by logging into your online TCU SmartCard account or TCU CDC mobile app and on the homepage go to ‘settings’ then select ‘manage alerts’. 

Alerts can be set up to notify you of deposits, declined transactions, new statements, low balance and purchases made using your card.

To activate your card, go to ‘Activate Your Card’ at tcu.com.au or download the TCU SmartCard eIM mobile app on your smartphone (available at Google Play and the Apple App Store) and follow the prompts to activate your card.

When you activate your card, make sure you have your card with you, together with the letter you received with it.

Alternatively, you can visit a TCU branch or contact our Customer Service Centre on 1800 828 232 (freecall) who will assist you with activating your account.

After you have activated your account, you will need to set your PIN before you can use your card.