The Australian payments landscape is evolving at a breakneck speed.
For businesses, keeping up isn't just about efficiency; it's about maintaining a competitive edge and future-proofing operations.
At the heart of this transformation is the New Payments Platform (NPP) and its game-changing payment offering, PayTo. But when it comes to harnessing innovations like PayTo, not all payment providers are created equal.
At Zepto, we're more than just a real-time, account-to-account payments infrastructure provider. We’re a Connected Institution (CI) on the NPP, a status that offers distinct and significant advantages for merchants.
As a Connected Institution on the NPP for PayTo, Zepto has a seat at the table. It means we can provide direct feedback, participate in and influence industry working groups, technical forums, and consultations run by AP+, the organisation that owns the NPP infrastructure and is responsible for its operation and development.
The advantage here is that we are directly involved in shaping future capabilities, PayTo enhancements, Confirmation of Payee standards, and scam mitigation initiatives. We can advocate directly with the payment system operator for our merchant customers by raising issues or proposing changes to message specifications, SLA standards, or implementation timelines.
Merchants who access the NPP one layer further out — as Identified Institutions — rely on their sponsoring NPP participant to represent their needs, which may not align with their product strategy or urgency.
Let’s break down why this direct connection means a better way to pay for your business.
Understanding the Foundations: NPP and PayTo
To truly grasp the Zepto advantage, it's essential to understand the bedrock of modern Australian payments, the NPP.
THE NPP
The NPP is Australia's cutting-edge payment infrastructure, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It's designed for speed, flexibility and information, allowing for:
- Instant Transfers: Funds move between accounts in real-time.
- Rich Data: Payments can carry up to 280 characters of remittance information, simplifying reconciliation.
- Continuity: It’s always on, enabling payments to move and settle when businesses need them to. Yes, even at 3.00am on Good Friday.
The NPP isn't just about faster payments; it’s about smarter, more informed transactions.
The Access Divide: Connected vs. Identified Institutions on the NPP
The way a payment provider connects to the NPP fundamentally impacts the access they can offer, and the line-of-sight they have to the underlying infrastructure and its data. There are two primary models:
CONNECTED INSTITUTIONS (CI): Direct Access & Innovation
This is where Zepto stands. As a Connected Institution, we connect directly to the NPP's core infrastructure specifically for payment initiation. This means:
- We send payment instructions directly to NPP Participants (your customer's banks) for clearing and settlement.
- We operate with our own NPP Payment Access Gateway, giving us a robust and direct pathway to the platform.
- We focus entirely on payments system integrity, security, innovation and technology, unburdened by broader banking regulations.
IDENTIFIED INSTITUTIONS (II): The Sponsored Model
Many other providers operate as Identified Institutions. This model means they offer NPP services and PayTo through a sponsoring NPP Full Participant (typically a large bank).
- Identified Institutions rely on a commercial agreement with their sponsor, using the sponsor's Exchange Settlement Account for payment clearing and settlement.
- Essentially, they provide NPP services indirectly, through a third-party intermediary.
The Zepto Advantage for Merchants: Why Connected is Better
Choosing a Connected Institution like Zepto for your PayTo needs isn't just a technical detail; it’s a strategic decision that empowers your business. Here’s why our direct connection translates into tangible advantages for you:
AGILITY & SPEED TO MARKET
- Less Intermediation: With a direct connection, there are fewer layers between Zepto and the core NPP infrastructure for payment initiation. This means faster integration for you and quicker deployment of new PayTo features as they emerge. When the NPP evolves, Zepto can adapt and offer those benefits to you with greater speed.
- Focused Innovation: Because we concentrate solely on payments infrastructure, Zepto can rapidly develop and deploy new PayTo functionalities. We're not constrained by the broader priorities or legacy systems of a large sponsoring bank, allowing us to bring cutting-edge solutions to market faster.
ENHANCED CONTROL & ROBUSTNESS
- Direct Path to NPP: Zepto's direct connection provides a more resilient and controlled pathway for payment initiation. This reduces reliance on a third-party sponsor's systems, minimising potential points of failure and ensuring greater stability for your payment operations.
- Specialised Expertise: Merchants benefit from Zepto's deep, specialised knowledge and singular focus on real-time, account-to-account payments and the NPP ecosystem. We live and breathe payments, offering unparalleled expertise in optimising your PayTo implementation.
FUTURE-PROOFING YOUR PAYMENT STRATEGY
- Leading Edge Capabilities: Partnering with a CI like Zepto means your business is more likely to access the latest PayTo functionalities as soon as they become available. This helps you stay ahead of the curve, giving you a competitive advantage in how you manage customer payments.
- Greater Flexibility: Our direct relationship with the NPP via our CI status often allows for more tailored and flexible payment solutions, designed specifically to meet your unique merchant needs, rather than being limited by a sponsor's more standardised offerings.
Choose the Direct Path to Payments Excellence
The shift to real-time payments through the NPP and PayTo offers an incredible opportunity for Australian merchants. But unlocking the full potential requires a partner that's not just part of the ecosystem, but deeply embedded in it.
Zepto's status as a Connected Institution on the NPP for PayTo isn't just a technical distinction; it's a commitment to directness, agility, and specialised innovation that directly benefits your business.
By choosing Zepto, you're opting for fewer intermediaries, faster feature delivery, and a robust payment infrastructure designed to propel your business forward.
Underscoring its commitment to shaping the future of Australia's payments ecosystem, Zepto was appointed to the Australian Payments Plus (AP+) Management Committee in early 2025.
Ready to harness the power of direct connection for your payments?