AES Migration Program Updates

May 2026

Phase 2b of the AES Migration Program commenced in 2026, marking a transition from foundational strategy and planning into execution. This phase focuses on the initiation of industry testing and the delivery of a controlled pilot to validate the planned AES transition. 

Key outcomes of Phase 2b include:

• commencement of initial Industry Testing with volunteer Issuer and Acquirer Community (IAC) members, referred to as ‘Vanguard Participants’  
   
• delivery of a pilot program to validate AES in a production environment using live transactions 
   
• development of IAC Code Set changes to define the key sunrise and sunset milestones and associated dates. 
   
• establishment of a Participant-focused Program Assurance Strategy to support consistent and transparent migration progress.  

Additional activities include:

• member readiness survey following the confirmation of sunrise and sunset milestones in the first half of 2026 
   
• increased focus on participant support, with targeted identification and resolution of implementation challenges 
   
• capture and dissemination of lessons learned from Vanguard Industry Testing (VIT) and pilot activities  
   
• continued engagement with government, regulators and industry bodies, including progression of the mandate position.

Industry communications in 2026 include:

• a series of AES Migration webinars open to all AusPayNet Members. Three sessions are planned for 2026, with two delivered to date covering the Migration Strategy and Industry Testing Strategy  
   
• the quarterly AES newsletter, The Quantum Leap, with the latest edition available on AusPayNet’s website 
   
• AES Migration Open Days to be held in Sydney and Melbourne in 2026 for IAC participants, featuring industry and AusPayNet speakers.