Written by the Travel Gear team. Last updated: May 2026.
Ask any experienced Australian traveller what's in their carry-on and you'll likely hear the same answer: travel pillow, noise-cancelling headphones, and an RFID blocking wallet. It's become standard kit — and for good reason. Here's why Aussies who travel regularly have made the switch, and why it matters whether you're heading to Bali, London, or just commuting through the Sydney CBD.
The Problem: Contactless Cards Are Convenient Targets
Australia has one of the highest rates of contactless payment adoption in the world. PayWave and PayPass are used for the vast majority of in-person transactions — which means almost every Australian wallet contains multiple RFID-enabled cards at any given time.
Each of those cards broadcasts a radio signal at 13.56 MHz. In normal use, that signal is read by a legitimate payment terminal. But a criminal with a portable RFID scanner — available online for under $50 — can read that same signal from a few centimetres away, through clothing, through a bag, without any physical contact.
Where the Risk Is Highest for Australians
Skimming risk isn't uniform. These are the environments where Australian travellers are most exposed:
- International airports — Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane domestically; Heathrow, CDG, and Changi internationally. Long queues, distracted travellers, and high foot traffic.
- European cities — Rome, Paris, Barcelona, and Prague have documented histories of contactless card skimming on public transport and in tourist areas.
- Southeast Asian markets — Bali, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City are popular with Australian tourists and with opportunistic skimmers.
- Cruise terminals — high tourist density, relaxed security awareness, and multiple port stops in unfamiliar cities.
- Australian CBD commutes — lower risk than overseas, but not zero. Packed trains and trams create proximity opportunities.
Why RFID Blocking Wallets Work
An RFID blocking wallet contains a layer of metallic mesh — typically aluminium or carbon fibre — that blocks the 13.56 MHz frequency used by contactless cards and e-passports. When your cards are stored inside, no external scanner can read them. The protection is passive: no battery, no app, no activation required.
When you want to pay, you simply remove the card and tap as normal. The blocking only applies while the card is stored.
What Aussie Travellers Say
The shift to RFID blocking wallets among frequent Australian travellers has been driven largely by word of mouth. Common reasons cited:
- Had a card skimmed overseas and wanted to prevent a repeat
- Carry an e-passport and wanted to protect biometric data
- Work in a corporate environment with RFID access cards and wanted consolidated protection
- Simply wanted peace of mind without changing their daily routine
Choosing the Right RFID Blocking Wallet
- Verify the blocking frequency — must cover 13.56 MHz. Some cheap products only block older 125 kHz frequencies used in older access cards, not modern bank cards.
- Choose quality materials — genuine leather or carbon fibre holds up to Australian conditions. Avoid PU leather, which cracks in heat.
- Match your carry style — bifold, trifold, slim card holder, or travel wallet with passport sleeve. Pacsafe offers the full range.
- Check the brand — Pacsafe is the benchmark in Australia, with independently tested RFID blocking technology and a full manufacturer warranty.
FAQs
Does RFID blocking affect tap-and-go payments?
Only while the card is inside the wallet. Remove the card to pay as normal — the blocking is passive and only applies to stored cards.
Do Australian banks cover RFID skimming fraud?
Most do, but the dispute process takes time — particularly if you're overseas when it happens. Prevention is far less stressful than recovery.
Is my e-passport at risk?
Australian e-passports issued since 2009 contain RFID chips with biometric data. An RFID blocking wallet or passport sleeve protects this data at airports and border crossings.
Are cheap RFID blocking wallets effective?
Not always. Look for products that specify 13.56 MHz blocking and come from reputable brands with tested technology. A $10 wallet from a discount store may offer no real protection.