adminEpic Games Store age checks in Australia will require players to confirm they are at least 18 before buying or downloading games rated R18+. The change is scheduled to begin on September 9 and applies to new access to R18+ titles, while games players already own and games with lower ratings are not affected.
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How Epic Games Store age checks in Australia will work
Age verification will use Epic’s existing Kids Web Services (KWS) system, which is adding several third-party methods for players to choose from. The available options are a selfie check through Yoti, a credit card check through Stripe, or a government-issued ID check through Veriff.
A fourth method, using bank verification through ConnectID, is expected to become available later in September. Since the options rely on different types of information, players can review the available methods and choose one that suits them before starting the verification process.
What the change means for players
- R18+ purchases and downloads: Players in Australia must confirm they are 18 or older to buy or download affected titles.
- Games already owned: The change does not affect R18+ games already in a player’s library.
- Lower-rated games: Titles rated below R18+ are not covered by this requirement.
Epic says information collected through the verification methods will be used only to confirm a player’s age. The company also says the data will be gathered independently of KWS. Players should check the instructions and data details shown by the chosen verification provider before submitting information.
Age verification requirements at other game stores
Epic’s announcement follows similar measures in Australia. Microsoft has begun rolling out age verification for users there, requiring verification to play R18+ games on the Microsoft and Xbox Store for console and PC.
Age checks have also been introduced for mature content in the UK. Microsoft began implementing age verification there in July 2025 after the Online Safety Act was introduced, and Valve added age verification for Steam users seeking access to mature content.
What to expect from the new checks
The key point for Australian players is that the requirement is limited to R18+ titles and does not remove games already owned. Before September 9, players planning to access an affected title can consider which verification option they prefer. The Epic Games Store age checks in Australia are part of a wider move to verify age before users access adult-rated content online.
