Steam Has Locked Mature Games Behind Credit Card Verification in Australia

Steam now requires Australian users to verify that they are 18 or older with a valid Australian credit card before they can access 18+ rated content.

The change follows similar restrictions elsewhere in the gaming industry. Microsoft recently introduced age verification requirements for 18+ Xbox games and apps in Australia.

According to Insider Gaming, Valve introduced the Steam requirement to comply with Australia’s Age-Restricted Material App Distribution Services Code.

Because Australians generally need to be at least 18 to obtain a credit card, Valve is using ownership of a valid Australian credit card as proof of age.

A credit card is currently the only verification option

Steam does not currently appear to offer another way for affected Australian users to verify their age.

When users try to access age-restricted content without completing verification, Steam asks them to add a valid Australian credit card to their account.

That creates an obvious problem for adults who do not have a credit card or simply do not want to add one to Steam.

Already-owned 18+ games may also be affected

The restriction reportedly goes beyond buying new mature-rated games.

Australian Steam users who have not completed age verification may also lose access to some 18+ games already present in their libraries.

That makes the change more significant for longtime Steam customers, since the requirement can affect content they previously purchased rather than only future transactions.

Australian Steam users criticize the requirement

Some Australian gamers have criticized Valve for making credit card ownership the only supported route to age verification.

The main complaint is that an adult can meet the legal age requirement but still lose access to mature content simply because they do not own a credit card.

Valve also faces pressure to comply with Australia’s age-restriction rules, with potentially significant penalties for services that fail to meet the requirements.

Steam is not the only gaming platform that may need to adjust. GTA 6 could also require age verification in Australia as companies adapt to the country’s rules.

Age verification is also becoming more common across the wider software industry. Microsoft has introduced age-aware app and AI controls in Windows 11, adding another layer of age-based restrictions and controls for users.