[justinmcp]

Unless you are relying on some non-general meaning of Direct Debit, then as an Australian - No, it's very common, and can used by everyone, everywhere for almost everything that reoccurs, and is reliable.

Our banking system has some rough edges for the average customer, but in terms of day to day usage; Internet banking, ubiquity of EFT, bank interchange, etc, it's quite good.

If only the banks would open up with some APIs. :)