Australia's surcharge rules are changing

Here's what that means for our software platforms and merchants.

Updated on 21 September 2026


From 1 October 2026, businesses in Australia will no longer be permitted to apply a surcharge to Visa, Mastercard, eftpos or American Express (Amex) card payments.


Whether you're a business accepting payments or a software partner supporting merchants, we're here to help you understand what is changing and prepare for the transition.

For merchants

Understand how the changes may affect your payment costs, settlement arrangements and business processes, and what you can do to prepare.

Visit the Merchant Resource Hub

For software partners

Access approved messaging, FAQs and resources to support merchant conversations and understand potential settlement and software impacts.

Visit the Partner Resource Hub

What is changing?

  • From 1 October 2026, surcharges on Visa, Mastercard, eftpos and Amex card payments will no longer be permitted in Australia.
  • Businesses will continue to incur payment processing costs when customers pay by card.
  • The key change is that these costs can no longer be recovered through a separate card surcharge.
  • This is an industry-wide transition. Changing payment providers will not alter the requirement.
  • For most merchants who currently recover applicable card transaction fees through surcharging, those fees will instead be deducted prior to settlement.

A graphic timeline image that illustrates the RBA surcharge reform timeline.
A graphic timeline image that illustrates the RBA surcharge reform timeline.

Common questions

What is changing?

Card surcharges on Visa, Mastercard, eftpos and Amex card payments will end from 1 October 2026.

No. Businesses will continue to incur payment processing costs when customers pay by card.

With 1 October approaching, merchants who currently surcharge should review how they manage payment costs and whether changes to settlement amounts may affect their reconciliation, accounting or software workflows.

Visit the Merchant Resources Hub for more information relevant to your business.

Choose the Merchant Resource Centre or Partner Resource Centre above.