The RBA is banning card payment surcharges on all schemes — Visa, Mastercard, eftpos, Amex and more. Here's what it means for merchants and consumers.
If you currently surcharge your customers for card payments, you'll need to stop by 1 October 2026. The cost doesn't disappear — it comes out of your margin. Your merchant rate now matters more than ever.
Card payment surcharges on your everyday purchases will be banned from October 2026. Whether you pay by Visa, Mastercard, Amex or eftpos — no extra fee.
Buy now, pay later services are subject to separate regulation. The surcharge ban framework is still being finalised for BNPL schemes — watch this space as the October 2026 date approaches.
The best time to get quotes and negotiate is before the October rush. Providers fill up their sales pipelines as the deadline approaches.
All card payment surcharges become illegal. Merchants must have disabled surcharging in their POS systems by this date.
Enhanced reporting obligations come into effect, increasing visibility over merchant pricing practices post-ban.
It's on your monthly merchant statement — usually expressed as a percentage. Look for the "effective rate" or "blended rate" line.
Providers are busiest in the months leading up to the ban. Getting quotes now means more attention, better pricing, and no last-minute scramble.
Use competing quotes as leverage. Your current provider would rather match a rate than lose you. Most merchants never ask — asking alone can move the needle.
Most POS systems have a surcharge toggle in settings. Your provider can guide you. Don't leave this to the last week.
Increasing prices is legal — surcharging is not. If your margins require adjustment, build it into your pricing before October rather than scrambling after.
Cafés, restaurants, retail — any surcharge for tapping a card or using a contactless payment will be banned. No extra line on your receipt for using Visa or Mastercard.
The extra 1–2% some online stores add at checkout for paying by card will be illegal. The price you see at checkout is the price you pay.
Service businesses — doctors, tradespeople, professional services — that currently surcharge for card payments must stop by 1 October 2026.
A general booking or service fee that applies regardless of how you pay is still permitted. The ban is specifically on fees triggered by the act of paying by card.
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