Steam requires Australian credit cards for R18+ content access

Valve has implemented a new age verification requirement for Australian Steam users attempting to access R18+ rated content. To comply with Australian regulations designed to protect minors, users must now provide a valid Australian credit card to view product pages or purchase adult-rated games.

This policy has caused significant friction because debit cards, PayPal, and account age are not accepted as valid forms of verification. Critics note that this approach is particularly restrictive given that credit card usage is lower in Australia than in other regions, such as the United States. While the eSafety Commission mandates age verification for online games, the specific requirement of a credit card is a choice made by Valve rather than a legal mandate.

As a result, some users are unable to even view store pages for certain titles. Consumers looking for alternatives may need to utilize third-party sellers or other digital storefronts that employ different verification methods.