Quick answer
Australia’s card surcharge rules are changing from 1 October 2026. These FAQs explain the likely business impact in plain English and link to official RBA and ACCC sources.
- When do Australia’s card surcharge changes start?
- The key date is 1 October 2026. The ACCC says Visa, Mastercard and eftpos card networks can introduce no-surcharge rules for relevant prepaid, debit and credit cards from that date.
- Will card surcharges be banned in Australia?
- The RBA is lifting its prohibition on no-surcharge rules for relevant card networks. Businesses should treat this as a major operational change and check final network and provider rules.
- Which card networks are affected?
- Public ACCC and RBA material refers to Visa, Mastercard and eftpos networks for relevant prepaid, debit and credit cards.
- Can businesses still offer discounts for preferred payment methods?
- FeeReady’s regulatory summary notes that merchants may still offer discounts for preferred payment methods. Confirm details against final provider and regulatory guidance.
- Will my payment provider automatically reduce fees?
- Do not assume this. Interchange caps are only one part of total merchant pricing. Ask for written post-October pricing and how any reductions will be passed through.
- How do I calculate my current effective payment rate?
- Divide total monthly card-processing fees by monthly card sales. Include percentage fees, per-transaction fees, terminal rental, gateway fees and monthly minimums where relevant.
- How can a business recover card payment costs?
- Common options include provider negotiation, payment mix changes, general price adjustments, or discounts for preferred lower-cost payment methods.
- Does FeeReady store my calculator data?
- By default, calculator inputs run in your browser. Saved scenarios use localStorage unless you export or share them.
- Is FeeReady legal, tax or financial advice?
- No. FeeReady is a general-information planning aid. Confirm obligations and business decisions with providers and professional advisers.
- What should accountants and bookkeepers ask clients?
- Ask for merchant statements, current surcharge settings, provider contracts, payment mix, POS or invoice wording, and whether customer communication or pricing needs review.