If you are trying to view or buy MA15+ or R18+ games on Steam in Australia, you may have noticed a wall asking you to verify your age using a payment card.
Here is a clear breakdown of why this is happening, which payment methods actually work, and how to verify your account without giving up unnecessary personal data.
Why Is Steam Asking for Age Verification in Australia?
Under Australia’s Online Safety Act framework and the Age-Restricted Material App Distribution Services Code, digital storefronts are legally required to restrict access to adult content unless an adult age verification step is completed.
Valve implemented these changes for all Australian Steam accounts. Account age alone (even if your account is 10–15 years old) does not satisfy the regulation, so an active payment check is required.
What Payment Methods Work for Verification?
Not all payment methods clear the age check. Because Australian financial law requires credit cardholders to be 18 or older, credit cards serve as the default age proof.
| Payment Method | Status | Why It Works / Fails |
| Australian Credit Cards | Works | Visa, Mastercard, and Amex credit cards verify instantly because cardholders must be 18+. |
| BNPL / Zip Pay Virtual Card | Works | Zip performs 18+ credit checks when issuing virtual cards, making them compatible. |
| Debit Mastercards | Hit or Miss | Cards from banks like CommBank, Westpac, or Macquarie often work if the bank passes adult status to Mastercard. |
| Visa Debit Cards | Fails | Minors can hold Visa debits, so Valve’s automated system usually rejects them for age verification. |
| PayPal / Steam Wallet | Fails | Neither balance type satisfies Australia’s strict digital age-assurance rules. |
📌 Note on Debit Cards: Debit card acceptance varies by issuing bank and network processing rules. While standard Visa debit cards are generally rejected, select Mastercard debit cards may process successfully depending on how your bank communicates account status during temporary authorization holds.
How to Verify Your Steam Account
Follow these steps to complete age verification on your account:
1. Navigate to Account Details: Do this inside the Steam client or desktop browser.
Log into Steam, click your account profile name in the top-right corner, and select Account Details.
2. Add a Supported Payment Method: Requires an active Australian Credit Card or supported Debit Card.
Under Store & Purchase History, select Add a payment method to this account. Enter your card details. Steam performs a temporary authorization check to confirm adulthood.
3. Enable Content Preferences: Ensure mature content isn’t hidden by account filters.
Go to Store Preferences > Preferences, scroll down to Mature Content, and check the boxes for General Mature Content, Nudity or Sexual Content, and Extreme Violence.
Don’t Have a Credit Card? Here Are 2 Workarounds
If you are an adult without a standard credit card, you still have options:
1. Redeem Steam Keys from Authorized Retailers
You can buy game activation keys directly from legitimate online stores like Humble Store, Fanatical, or Green Man Gaming. When you redeem a game key on Steam, it bypasses the store page age filter entirely and adds the game straight to your library.
2. Use a Zip Pay Virtual Credit Card
Because Zip Pay requires an 18+ identity check to open an account, you can generate a single-use or ongoing Zip virtual Mastercard to pass Steam’s verification check.
Disclaimer: Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services like Zip Pay are financial credit products. Opening an account requires identity and credit checks, and late fees or contractual terms apply. Please use credit responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
My Steam account is over 10 years old. Why do I still need to verify?
Australian regulations require active verification through an independent mechanism (like a credit card). Steam does not use your account creation date as legal proof of age.
Is Valve storing my Driver’s Licence, Passport, or Face Scan?
No. Valve does not collect or store biometric data or government IDs for Australian verification. They rely strictly on payment card authorization checks.
Can I delete my credit card from Steam after verifying?
No. If you remove the verified card from your payment options, your account loses its verified status, and mature store pages will be blocked again.
Can I still play games already in my library without verifying?
Yes. Age verification only blocks browsing and purchasing MA15+ and R18+ games on the Steam Store. Games already in your library, Steam Community hubs, friends chat, and Steam Workshop remain accessible.
Disclaimer: This guide is provided for educational and reference purposes only. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Valve Corporation, Steam, Zip Pay, or the Australian Government, and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Information regarding payment card behaviors and third-party financial services is subject to change without notice. Please conduct your own research and verify all details with official sources before taking action. We are not responsible for any bank fees, account changes, or other consequences that may result from using this information.