FAQs
What is ZAAP?
ZAAP is a prepaid Mastercard pocket money tool ideal for children aged between 8 and 17. ZAAP is designed to help tweens and teens learn good money habits with increased independence whilst parents retain control. ZAAP consists of a Parent Wallet from which parents can transfer funds to their child’s ZAAP Account. Children can select to have a Card only, a wearable ZAAP Band or both. If they select to have both, the card and wearable are linked to the same Child Account
When selecting their card, Children have the option to choose a card design from the ZAAP range or they can create their own card with their very own design.
Children can spend using their ZAAP Card or wearable ZAAP Band anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Parents and children can view balances and transaction history any time via the App. ZAAP has a range of features including setting, tracking and achieving saving targets as well as encouragement and update notifications for children and parents.
How does ZAAP work?
ZAAP is a prepaid Mastercard facility. ZAAP consists of:
- A Parent Wallet: the primary account parent funds are held in to fund transfers to the Child Account, on a regular or adhoc basis.
- Child’s ZAAP Account: which holds the child’s funds. This is the child’s spending account to which their payment devices are linked. They can also transfer money to and from their Savings Wallet.
- ZAAP Payment device: the chosen ZAAP Card and/or wearable ZAAP Band that enables children to access their ZAAP account to make purchases.
- Child’s Savings Wallet: linked to the Child’s ZAAP account, children can set savings goals, transfer money from their ZAAP account to their Saving Wallet and track their progress. Funds are held separately and cannot be spent unless transferred back into the ZAAP account.
- ZAAP App: the home of the Parent Wallet, Child Account and Savings Wallet. The App has two logins, one for Parents and one for the Child. You and your child can view account balances and transaction history. It is the main control portal for parents and children.
Children can spend using their ZAAP Card and/or ZAAP Band. The ZAAP Card can be used online and instore, the ZAAP Band is for instore ’Tap & Pay’ transactions. Only the funds available in the child’s ZAAP Account can be spent.
A PIN must be used for transactions over $199. Read more info on ‘How it Works’ here.
How secure is ZAAP?
Like all payment cards, prepaid cards should be safeguarded and treated like cash. However, a Prepaid Mastercard is more secure than cash because it is PIN protected for amounts over $199. If your child’s ZAAP Card or Band is lost or stolen, you should block the account immediately in the ‘Settings’ section of the ZAAP App. You can later unblock the account if the ZAAP Card or Band is found or alternatively, request a replacement Device be sent to you.
Do kids earn interest on their ZAAP account?
No. ZAAP is a prepaid card so there is no interest earned.
Can the card be used at ATMs?
No. To support parent control and enable full transparency of spending for parents, children cannot use ZAAP at ATMs.
What ZAAP options are there?
You can select for your child to have a ZAAP Card choosing from our gallery or designing your own, a ZAAP Band which also comes with a bonus Keeper for a watch or fitness band or you can select the Fully ZAAPed option and get both a Card and Band.
How does the ZAAP band work?
The ZAAP Band has an insertable Mastercard contactless chip which arrives to you set within a card carrier. Simply pop the chip out of the carrier, much like a phone SIM card and insert it into the slot at the side of the Band. If you prefer you can put the chip into the Keeper that can be connected to a watch or fitness band. It is the same as a chip on a Mastercard and can be used to ’Tap & Pay’ at payment terminals at checkout in store.
Can ZAAP be used overseas?
Yes, ZAAP can be used anywhere in the world that accepts Mastercard.
Where can ZAAP be used?
Your ZAAP Card can be used anywhere in the world or online that accepts Mastercard. Your ZAAP Band and Keeper can be used in any store in the world that accepts Mastercard.
What merchant categories are blocked?
For your child’s safety, ZAAP blocks merchants such as liquor shops, pubs, taverns, gambling and dating services.
Why ZAAP is better than Cash?
Cash can be stolen. Parents can’t monitor where children spend with cash. Further, the use of cash is reducing and is expected to account for <2% of transactions in Australia by 2022. Children need to learn good ‘cashless’ money habits to help them in a cashless society.
ZAAP is safer than cash, it is not as easily stolen and is PIN protected. Parents know where and how their children are spending and parents can give children the exact money they need, they don’t have to wait or ask for their change back nor carry cash themselves to have it available when requested by their children. ZAAP is more versatile than cash, it can be used online which means children don’t have to ask for a parent’s credit card when making online purchases. ZAAP goes much further than cash and is a tool for parents to teach children good spending and saving habits which is becoming more difficult in an increasingly cashless society.
Why ZAAP is better than giving a child a Debit Card and Bank Savings Account?
With a debit card and/or savings account, parents can easily lose control of what their children are spending and where. Children can withdraw cash at ATMs and spend it on things they aren’t supposed to. With ZAAP, children cannot withdraw cash and parents have full visibility of when and where children are spending
It is also much easier to get ZAAP than to get a debit card and savings account. You need to be over 14 and provide a birth certificate or passport and complete a 100-point check and complete lengthy forms. You can order ZAAP online within a matter of minutes.
Debit cards can be significantly more expensive. You can pay a monthly fee up to $4 and a $2 withdrawal fee depending on where cash is withdrawn.
Children can be more independent with ZAAP. Children can’t spend online with a savings account so still need to ask a parent for an alternative if wishing to buy online. ZAAP goes further than a debit card and savings account, providing a tool for parents to teach children good spending and saving habits in a safe and controlled environment. Children can view their balance and transactions and set and track multiple savings goals and the app features reinforces positive behaviours.
Why ZAAP is better than providing a parent’s Credit Card to their child?
Because ZAAP is prepaid, children can only spend what is loaded on the card versus children having access to all available credit on a parent’s credit card. This means less stress for parents and there is no risk of overspending. ZAAP provides a tool for parents to teach children good spending and saving habits. ZAAP teaches them that money is not limitless or as available as a parent’s credit limit might otherwise enable.
Children cannot be approved for use of credit cards, however with ZAAP they can start to learn what it’s like to manage money and prepares them for the responsibilities of having a credit card in the future.
I’m concerned about my child carrying a card, how secure is ZAAP?
Like all payment cards, prepaid cards should be safeguarded. However, ZAAP is a Prepaid Mastercard which is more secure than cash and it is PIN protected for purchase amounts over $99. If your child’s ZAAP Card or Band is lost or stolen, you should block the lost payment device in the ‘Settings’ section of the ZAAP App and keep spending on the other device (if you have purchased a bundle). You can later unblock the device if it is found or alternatively, request a replacement Device be sent to you and you will receive your replacement device within days.
What is the Parent Wallet?
The Parent Wallet is the primary account from which the parent can load funds into the Child’s ZAAP Account. Once the Parent Wallet is loaded via your nominated debit or credit card, the parent can select whether to do a manual transfer to the Child Account or set up regular pocket money payments, or both.
Handy Tip: ensure you always have some money in your Parent Wallet to support the instant transfer of funds to your child.
What is the Child Account?
The Child Account is the account children access when they spend. If a child has both a ZAAP Card and a wearable, they are both linked to the same Child Account and spending draws from the available balance. The Child Account can be topped up by parents via the Parent Wallet. From the Child Account, savings goals and schedules can be set.
How Do I activate my Child’s Account?
Once you’ve got your Payment Device/s ie card and/or wearable, and have successfully installed the App, you will need to complete the activation process to activate ZAAP. You won’t be able to use ZAAP until you have completed the activation process. Activation can be completed at the ZAAP Parent App and is required for all Child Accounts linked to your Parent Wallet.
To activate your Child’s Account, go to the ZAAP Parent mobile App and follow the steps to activate your account.
You will also be asked to set the PIN for your child’s ZAAP, which can be used make purchases. You will then be able to generate a onetime password which will be a random 6-digit number. Use this 6-digit password and the parent’s first name to login. At this point of first login you and/or your child can set a new 6-digit password of your/their choice for ongoing access to the App.
How do I set my Child’s PIN?
To make purchases over $199 with a ZAAP Card, your child will need a PIN. When activating their card, you will be prompted to set a PIN. PINs can be changed via the App at any time.
What is the Savings Wallet?
The Savings Wallet enables children to set and achieve savings goals. Scheduled savings transfers and manual transfers can be made from the Child Account to the Savings Account. Money in the Savings Wallet cannot be spent unless moved back into the Child Account. ZAAP will track savings progress and celebrate by notifying the child when the savings goal has been achieved.
Are there spend or load limits on ZAAP?
Yes there are:
Balance Limits
Maximum available balance: $999
Transaction Limits
Minimum Transaction limit: $1
Maximum transaction without needing a PIN: $199
Maximum card not present transactions: $99
Maximum PIN transactions: $999
Minimum single load: $10
Maximum load value per day: $999
Maximum value at any time: $999
Minimum value at any time: $0
Velocity Limits. Aggregate load during any 2-day period: $999
How are top-ups managed?
Parents can top-up their Parent Wallet from their nominated linked credit or debit card by manual transfer or set up regular automatic transfers.
Can I change scheduled top-ups to my Parent Wallet?
Yes, you can change the frequency, timing and amount of top-ups to your Parent Wallet under ‘Regular Payments’ in the Parent Wallet.
Handy Tip: ensure you always have some money in your Parent Wallet to support the instant transfer of funds to your child.
Can I set a regular payment to my Child’s Account?
Yes, you can set up a regular payment to your child by clicking on the ‘Transfer’ button on their Child Account summary page. Then select ‘Set Regular Payments’ and follow the prompts from there.
Can I transfer money back out of my Child’s Account?
Yes, you can transfer money back from the Child Account to the Parent Wallet at any time.
How do I top-up the Parent Wallet?
You can top-up by clicking on ‘Parent Wallet’ and then selecting either ‘Manual top-up’ or ‘Set Regular Payments’.
How do I link a credit card or debit card to my Parent Wallet?
You can link your credit card or debit card in the ‘Parent Wallet’ section of the App.
How do I change the credit card or debit card linked to my Parent Wallet?
You can change your credit card or debit card in the Parent Wallet section of the App.
Note: for security reasons, changing the credit or debit card that is linked to your ZAAP Parent Wallet will require us to review and approve your next parent top-up. This process can take up to 1 business day.
Why do I get charged 1 cent to update my funding card for my ZAAP?
The 1 cent charge is required to update your payment subscription details. This fee will be removed when the update is processed within our system.
How long does a top-up to my Parent Wallet take to process?
Manual top-ups to the Parent Wallet occur within a 1 hours. Scheduled top-ups occur based on the date and time they are scheduled for.
How long does a top-up to my Child's Account take to process?
A manual top-up to the Child’s Account will be immediate. When you schedule a regular payment from Parent Account to Child Account, it will occur based on the time and date you set. Any top-up to your Child Account is subject to there being sufficient funds in the Parent Wallet.
How do I check the balance of the Parent Wallet?
In the Parent Wallet Section in the ZAAP App.
How do I check the balance of my Child's Account?
You can check the balance of your Child’s Account in the Parent ZAAP App summary or in the Child Account section of the App.
How do I check the balance of the Savings Wallet?
You can check the balance of your child’s savings in the Parent ZAAP App summary or in the Child Account section of the App.
How do I see my child's transactions?
In the ZAAP Parent Account in the ZAAP App you will be able to see your Child’s/Children’s Accounts. You can view their ZAAP Balance and Savings Balance as well as a detailed spending transaction history.
How do children set a savings goal?
Children can set a savings goal in the Child Account section of the ZAAP App. Simply click ‘Set Savings Goal’. From here your child can enter details of what they are saving for, the target date to achieve the savings and how much money they need to save each week.
Setting a savings goal is a great learning incentive for children to save their pocket money for purchases that are important to them. With the ZAAP App they can track their progress and enjoy seeing their savings grow. There is a visual milestone chart in the Children’s ZAAP App that shows how they are progressing towards their savings goal.
How is the savings goal tracked?
There is a visual chart in the Children’s ZAAP App that shows them how close they are to achieving their savings goal.
What happens when a savings goal is met?
A notification will pop up on the ZAAP App celebrating when the child’s goal has been met.
What makes ZAAP different?
ZAAP is different because:
- You can design your own ZAAP Card by uploading an image of your choice.
- There are over 50 card designs to choose from.
- You can choose a ZAAP Band as a convenient option or addition to your ZAAP Card. The ZAAP Band also comes with a 'Keeper' which can be attached to a watch or fitness band for ultimate convenience.
- Parents can transfer funds instantly to the Child Account
- ZAAP has a 3-year validity before being automatically renewed for you.
- There are no annual fees.
- You can fund your parent wallet from your credit card or debit card which is faster than transferring from a savings account.
What are the benefits of ZAAP?
ZAAP is a great digital tool with benefits for parents, children and schools. Click on the links to find out more!
Why is ZAAP better than a standard credit card or debit card?
ZAAP is better than a credit card because it is prepaid, which means that funds are limited to what is loaded onto the Card. No need to worry about your child accidentally over-spending. Children cannot be approved for use of credit cards, however with ZAAP they can start to learn what it’s like to manage money. They learn good money habits and ZAAP prepares them for the responsibilities of having a credit card in the future.
ZAAP is better than a debit card because it is designed specifically for children. In the ZAAP App kids can set savings goals and parents can control spending. With ZAAP you can design your own card and you also have access to the convenient ZAAP Band.
What is the benefit of being able to top-up with a credit card?
Using a credit card to top-up your ZAAP Wallet means that you can quickly, within 1 hour transfer money to your Child’s Account. There is no waiting period for the money to clear.
How do I contact ZAAP?
You can contact us by calling toll-free 1800 291 090 or email us at contactus@zaap.com.au. Our office is located in Sydney, Australia.
Can I change the address for my ZAAP delivery?
When you order ZAAP, you can specify where you would like your ZAAP to be delivered. Once it has been ordered and confirmed, you cannot change delivery details.
How can I track my ZAAP order?
You will be sent an email at each stage of the process, so you can keep track of your order. You will be notified when your order has been placed, when your payment has been processed and when your ZAAP has been despatched by Australia Post.
What if my child loses their ZAAP or part of it?
If your child loses their ZAAP Card or ZAAP Band, you can block either one in ‘Settings’. You can later unblock the account if the ZAAP Card or Band is found or alternatively, request a replacement Card or wearable Band be sent to you.
What should I do if I suspect my ZAAP has been fraudulently used or stolen?
You must block the card immediately in the ‘Settings’ section of the ZAAP App and then contact us on 1800 291 090.
I’ve lost my Card. Can I still keep my Band active while my card is being replaced?
Yes, you can. And vice versa if you lose your band. Just select the device you want to block in ‘Settings'.
What is the cost of ZAAP?
What fees apply for ZAAP?
Why do I get charged a load fee? What is it for?
The load fee of 1.5% is charged directly to your nominated debit or credit card on parent loads which are the amounts you load onto your parent wallet i.e. not the transfers you make to your child’s account. ZAAP allows parents to load via a debit or credit card rather than a bank account and ensures an almost instant (<45 mins) transfer to your parent wallet.
This fee covers the cost of credit / debit card acceptance and is a very low cost. For example, if you load $50 onto your parent wallet, you are charged 75 cents on your nominated debit or credit card.
Why do I have to pay a 3% foreign exchange fee?
Foreign exchange fees are fees charged on all Mastercard and Visa cards for international transactions. The ZAAP charge is amongst the lowest at 3% on the Australian dollar value of the international transaction compared to 3-5.25% charged on most debit and credit cards.
ZAAP is much cheaper than many Travel Cards which charge 6-8% exchange rate premium on the initial or reload funds, plus up to a 5.25% foreign exchange fee at the time of conversion.
Isn’t ZAAP expensive compared to a credit card?
No. You can get ZAAP from only $9.95 if you choose a card from our range of cards. There are over 50 card designs to choose from. You can pay a bit extra, $20, and allow your child to design their own card. The fully ZAAPed bundle which gives you a card and a wearable, is priced at $29.95 or $40 depending on whether you choose a card from our designs or design your own.
At $9.95, ZAAP is the lowest cost Mastercard card available. You pay a minimum of $60 for a standard Mastercard from banks.
What is the monthly account fee / why do I need to pay this?
The monthly account fee covers all costs associated with managing and maintaining your ZAAP account/s. This fee is $2 per child account per month, charged to your parent wallet and covers the ongoing provision of your account facility, processing and other transaction costs, and the parent control functionality which you cannot get with a debit card or bank account.
This is significantly cheaper than a Debit Card and Bank Account, where the monthly fees can be up to $4.
Contacting Us
Our email address is contactus@zaap.com.auPhone: 1800 291 090.
Alternatively, you can write to:
ZAAP Prepaid Cards
PO Box 177
Balmain NSW 2041