Top 3 Reasons You Need to Attend MRC Melbourne 2026

The payments and fraud prevention landscape across Australia and New Zealand is evolving faster than ever.

New technologies are reshaping eCommerce, fraud tactics continue to grow more sophisticated, and merchants are under increasing pressure to balance security, customer experience, and revenue growth.

That is exactly why MRC Melbourne brings together the region's leading merchants, solution providers, and industry experts for a day of insights, discussion, and networking designed specifically for the payments and fraud prevention community.

Here are three reasons why MRC Melbourne 2026 should be on your calendar.

1. Hear how leading merchants are tackling today's biggest challenges

One of the most valuable aspects of MRC Melbourne is the opportunity to hear directly from the organizations tackling today's most complex payments and fraud prevention challenges.

This year's agenda features real-world experiences, lessons learned, and firsthand perspectives from across the payments ecosystem.

In Retailer Perspectives on Payment Fraud & Abuse: Balancing Risk, Revenue and Customer Experience, industry experts from 7-Eleven and Accertify will discuss the fraud and abuse trends impacting retailers today and how organizations are using data, AI-driven insights, and risk strategies to balance fraud prevention, payment acceptance, and customer experience.

Another session to add to your agenda is The Automation Trap: Why "Set and Forget" Is Failing Subscription & Scaling Merchants. Featuring Canva and Justt, this session will explore why traditional chargeback automation approaches are struggling to keep pace with evolving fraud patterns, issuer behavior, and network requirements such as VAMP.

These discussions provide a practical look at how organizations are adapting to an increasingly complex risk environment.

2. Stay ahead of what's next in payments

Understanding where the industry is heading is just as important as solving today's challenges.

MRC Melbourne opens with a keynote from Australian Payments Plus exploring the trends shaping the future of payments across Australia and New Zealand, from real-time payment infrastructure and digital wallets to regulatory developments and cross-border growth.

Looking further ahead, Agentic Commerce in ANZ: Readiness, Risk and the Road Ahead brings together experts from Visa and Checkout.com to examine what intelligent, AI-driven commerce could mean for merchants, payment providers, and the broader ecosystem.

From emerging technologies to evolving payment models, these sessions offer a forward-looking perspective on what is next for the industry.

3. Build valuable connections across the ANZ payments community

The value of MRC Melbourne extends far beyond the educational sessions.

Throughout the day, attendees will have multiple opportunities to connect with fellow payments and fraud prevention professionals, exchange ideas, discuss common challenges, and expand their professional networks.

From the networking lunch and evening reception to coffee breaks, the event is designed to facilitate meaningful conversations between merchants, issuers, payment providers, technology partners, and industry experts.

Whether you are looking to benchmark strategies, discover new solutions, or connect with peers facing similar challenges, the relationships built at MRC Melbourne can provide lasting value long after the event concludes.

Join us in Melbourne

If you are responsible for payments, fraud prevention, risk, compliance, or customer experience, this is an event you will want to attend.

Be part of the conversations shaping the future of payments and fraud prevention across Australia and New Zealand. Register now to secure your place.

About Merchant Risk Council

Merchant Risk Council is a global membership organization connecting payments and fraud prevention professionals through education, collaboration, advocacy, and networking. MRC brings together merchants, solution providers, issuers, card networks, and industry experts to share insights and strengthen the payments ecosystem. Learn more at merchantriskcouncil.org.