I've just been told my brand new card reader won't work in Australia.  Can someone tell me why?   WHY????

@sdarmody - Kind of what I mentioned above, with out getting into too technical of an explanation, different regions have different security standards. The reader in the US is not the same reader used in Australia. As to your second question, the migration to EMV cards in Australia was completed many years ago, so the magstripe reader can't be used there. 

@sdarmody - From my understanding, you wouldn't need to download an additional app. You would just need to ensure you're signed into your Australian account when you are there. 

This is what Facebook Square said.  "To open up an Australian Square account you will need to be an Australian citizen and have a physical address we can use for verification in Australia.  Open an account here: http://squ.re/2m0mDVL  and link it to an Australian bank account.  Setup the Square account in that person’s name and info. You will need to download the Australian version of the Square App when you are physically in the country."

@sdarmody - I'll double check on this for you and follow up. I'll also touch base with my colleague. 

@sdarmody - Just chatted with one of our App Release Managers. You would not need to download a separate app, in fact, you probably wouldn't be able to. The same app can be used globally. 

Thanks so much.  I've logged into my Australia account, but it won't connect to my brand new wireless card reader.  Please dont tell me I'll have to buy an Australian version. Or is it that the app knows I'm in the USA?

@sdarmody - The readers are a bit of a different story. These are region specific (different standards). Honestly, your best bet is to manually enter payments or have an Austrilian reader shipped to your friend there waiting for you. 

Does this apply to the small magnetic stripe reader as well?

Here's a link to another thread where your answer can be found.  In short, yes you can, but you have to have a completely different setup than your American one.