The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has officially granted authorization for a high-profile competition settlement between corporate entities Google Payment Australia Pty. Ltd. and Epic Games Australia Pty. Ltd., acting on behalf of parent entities Google LLC and Epic Games, Inc. The decision, finalized on September 2, 2026, grants legal protection from domestic competition laws for the implementation of key settlement terms through September 30, 2032.
This authorization follows a series of regulatory steps that began when Google LLC and Epic Games, Inc. lodged their joint application on March 17, 2026. The request stemmed from a binding term sheet established earlier that month to resolve ongoing Australian litigation between the two companies. This agreement superseded an earlier settlement attempt from October 2025, which was formally withdrawn in early March 2026.
Under the authorized terms, the companies can establish binding provisions regarding transactions involving Australian developers and users. The conduct focuses on capping and restricting Google Play Service Fees in specific circumstances, limiting revenue-proportionate or per-purchase fees for designated transactions. Furthermore, it regulates how alternative payment options—such as external web links—can be displayed alongside Google Play Billing, establishing unified standards for user experience guidelines and API integration.
To manage the transition, the commission granted an interim authorization in June 2026, which protected international actions affecting Australian app developers. A draft determination favoring the long-term approval was subsequently issued in July, leading to the final six-year approval. With this formal authorization, Google and Epic Games have secured a clear legal framework to execute their global litigation resolution within the Australian market.
