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Card Surcharges End on 1 October 2026: Common Questions Answered
From 1 October 2026, a surcharge can no longer be added when a customer pays by eftpos, Mastercard or Visa. For many businesses, the switch itself is small. Most of the thinking sits in the questions around it: what the cost looks like now, what can still be charged, and what's worth checking on the day.
The cost of taking card payment stays with the business
Removing the surcharge takes the fee off the customer's receipt. The cost of accepting the card is still there, and from 1 October it sits with the business.
A useful starting point is to know 3 numbers: what you pay in merchant fees each month, how much of your revenue comes through cards, and how much the surcharge was recovering. With those in front of you, the change becomes something you can plan around.
Looking at a month or two of statements, rather than a single one, gives a fairer picture, since card volumes move with trading patterns.
Can I still charge a surcharge?
It depends on what the surcharge is for.
From 1 October, you can't add a surcharge because a customer pays by eftpos, Mastercard or Visa. That includes debit, credit and prepaid cards, both in store and online.
Surcharges that aren't about how someone pays are a separate matter. The ACCC has confirmed the change doesn't affect weekend or public holiday surcharges in hospitality, or other fees such as booking fees. The usual pricing rules still apply to those:
Restaurants and cafes that add a surcharge on certain days can show it as a note on the menu, worded as "A surcharge of [percentage] applies on [day or days]".
For other businesses, a fee that applies every day generally forms part of the price, so it belongs in the total price shown.
Do I need to change my prices?
Not necessarily. The right approach will depend on your margins and how much of your revenue comes through cards. A few common scenarios:
If card fees are a small share of your costs, absorbing them as an operating expense may be the simplest option.
If the surcharge was recovering a meaningful amount each month, a considered review of your pricing may make more sense.
If your merchant fees are higher than you'd expect, reviewing your provider could reduce the cost before you look at prices at all.
If prices do change, customers need to see the full price before they buy, and any explanation you give for an increase needs to be accurate.
Can I offer a discount for cash or PayID?
Yes. The Reserve Bank of Australia has said businesses can still offer a discount for a payment method they prefer.
If you go down this path, you might want to make the discount clear before the customer pays, including which payment methods qualify and how much they'll save. If you're unsure whether a particular setup counts as a discount or a surcharge, your payment provider can confirm how it's treated under their terms.
Where might a surcharge still be showing up?
Terminals tend to be the first thing people check, but a surcharge can sit in other places too:
eftpos terminals and point-of-sale systems
online checkouts and payment links on invoices
invoicing software, invoice templates and recurring invoices
booking systems and websites
menus, price lists and signage
terms of trade
It can help to work through the list once, noting anything that needs changing and who looks after it.
Do I need to contact my merchant provider?
Many providers have already written to their merchants about the change and are updating terminals and apps on their end. If you're not sure whether your setup needs anything from you, your provider can confirm it.
It's also worth keeping an eye out for unexpected emails or texts asking you to update your account. Contacting your provider through the phone number or login you already use, rather than a link in the message, is an easy way to check the message came from them.
What's worth checking on 1 October?
A quick test on the day can confirm everything is working as expected:
Run a small card transaction on each terminal and check the receipt.
Place a test order through your online checkout, if you have one.
Raise a test invoice and check the totals and the payment link.
If a surcharge still appears, your provider or software support can help switch it off.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide general guidance and is not specific advice. We encourage you to seek tailored advice for your circumstances.
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