Card surcharging changes are coming – is your business ready?
From 1 October 2026, businesses will no longer be able to apply surcharges to eftpos, Mastercard, Visa or American Express payments. Weekend, public holiday and other surcharges can still apply, provided customers are clearly informed before they make a purchase.
We know many small business owners are already managing rising costs and competing priorities, so preparing for another change can take time and effort. A good place to start is reviewing your payment systems, understanding your payment costs and checking where card surcharges currently appear in your business.
The ACCC’s pricing guidance focuses on ensuring customers can clearly understand what they will pay before deciding to buy.
- For example:
A convenience store displays a drink for $4.95 and the customer pays $4.95 regardless of whether they pay by cash, debit card or credit card. - A business may still apply a public holiday surcharge if it is clearly disclosed, such as: ‘A 10% public holiday surcharge applies today.’
Businesses may also choose to offer discounts for particular payment methods, such as cash or PayID, provided customers can easily understand which payment methods qualify and how much they will save.
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has published guidance and resources to help businesses prepare, they can be found at asbfeo.gov.au/card-surcharging.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s changing?
From 1 October 2026, businesses can no longer apply surcharges to card payments made using eftpos, Mastercard, Visa or American Express.
Why have these changes been introduced?
The Reserve Bank of Australia introduced these changes to remove card surcharges for consumers and improve fee transparency for businesses. The reforms are intended to make card payments simpler for customers while helping businesses better understand and compare payment costs.
Can I still charge a surcharge?
Yes. Weekend, public holiday and other surcharges can still apply, provided they are clearly disclosed before the customer makes a purchase.
For example: ‘A 10% public holiday surcharge applies today.’
Can I still apply a surcharge for eftpos, Visa, Mastercard or American Express payments?
No. From 1 October 2026, surcharges can no longer be applied to payments made using eftpos, Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
Do I need to change my prices?
Every business is different. Some businesses may review their pricing structure, while others may absorb the cost as part of their overall operating expenses.
If you decide to change your prices, customers should be able to clearly understand what they will pay before making a purchase. Businesses must not mislead customers about the reasons for any price increase.
What should I do if I am still working through the changes?
You’re not alone. Many small business owners continue to review what the changes mean for their operations.
A good place to start is reviewing:
• payment terminals and point-of-sale systems
• websites
• invoicing software
• menus
• customer-facing information.
You should also understand what it costs your business to accept card payments, including merchant fees and transaction costs.
What if my business still has card surcharges showing on signs
or systems?
You should remove any references to card surcharges and check your systems and customer information to ensure they reflect the new arrangements. This includes physical signage, websites, menus, invoices and payment systems