Valve has introduced a proof-of-age verification system for users of Australian Steam, but it will only accept an active Australian credit card as evidence.
This system was mandated by new Australian laws which require online gaming services to verify that users are over 18 before allowing them to access R18+ games; the law came into force in March.
Unlike PlayStation and Xbox, which provide several methods of verification, Valve only accepts proof of credit card ownership. Debit cards and PayPal do not seem to be adequate, and having a previous, long-standing account does not relieve users of this requirement.
About half of the consumers in Australia do not possess a credit card.
Steam’s Australia Age Check and Credit Card Requirement
Australian Steam users who attempt to access the store page of an R18+ game without verifying are informed that Valve is required by the Age-Restricted Material App Distribution Services Code to confirm that they are at least 18 years old.
The message tells these users to add a valid Australian credit card to their account and then update their Mature Content Preferences.
Even though some users have stated that this is the case, debit cards do not seem to be enough, nor does PayPal, regardless of how old the Steam account already is, and the credit card is said to have to stay active on the account even if the user has no intention of making any purchases with it.
Not every Australian user of Steam who is 18 or older has a credit card or wishes to have one, since there are a great many more convenient methods of making online purchases.
Over the last ten years credit card ownership in Australia has dropped considerably, with only about half of consumers possessing one and the rate of adoption being lowest among young adults. Approximately a quarter of Australian consumers between the ages of 18 and 24 have a credit card.
Valve’s system, since it came late and only accepts credit cards, is unsuitable for its purpose because credit cards are not needed for online purchases in 2026, something that should have been obvious from Valve’s own data on payment options in Australia; there are other methods of verification available, but Valve has decided not to make use of them.
What Australian Steam Users Need to Access R18+ Games
Australian Steam users who want to access R18+ content face limited options under the current system:
- The only accepted proof of age is a valid Australian credit card, so add one to the Steam account.
- It is important to keep the credit card active on the account because it is said to have to remain active even if no purchases are made.
- It should be noted that debit cards, PayPal, and account age are not currently meeting the requirement.
The verification system is currently being used by Australian Steam users, even though the relevant law came into effect in March.
It has not yet been confirmed whether Valve will introduce alternative verification methods similar to those provided by PlayStation and Xbox, so at this stage a credit card is the only option that is accepted.
Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Steam's Age Verification in Australia Only Accepts Credit Cards, Excluding Half of Consumers appeared first on gHacks.
