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Card surcharge rules have changed in Australia from October 1, 2026
From 1 October 2026, businesses can no longer add surcharges to eftpos, Mastercard or Visa payments. The changes apply across online, in-store and mobile wallet transactions and are designed to improve pricing transparency for consumers. This guide explains what has changed, where limited exceptions may apply and what businesses should review across their payment processes and customer experiences.
What you'll learn
This whitepaper provides a practical overview of:
- Australia's card surcharge changes effective from 1 October 2026
- Which payment networks and card types are affected
- How the changes apply across online, in-store and mobile wallet payments
- The difference between card surcharges and other business fees
- Limited exceptions that may apply under law or regulation
- Key compliance and pricing considerations
- Practical steps businesses should take to prepare
- How businesses can review their overall payment mix and payment acceptance costs
- The role of PayTo, PayID and New Payments Platform (NPP) payments within a modern payments strategy
What should businesses do now?
Businesses should review any existing card surcharges, update pricing and checkout experiences, and speak with their bank, payment provider or point-of-sale provider to understand any required changes. Payment journeys should also be tested across all customer channels, including online, in-store and mobile experiences.
FAQs
Q1: What is changing with card surcharges in Australia?
A1: From 1 October 2026, businesses can no longer add surcharges to eftpos, Mastercard or Visa card payments across online, in-store and mobile wallet transactions.
Q2: Which payment methods are affected?
A2: The changes apply to eftpos, Mastercard and Visa credit, debit and prepaid cards, including commercial and corporate cards
Q3: Can businesses still charge other fees?
A3: Some fees, such as booking or service fees, may still apply where they are not linked to a customer's choice of payment method. Businesses should ensure pricing remains clear and complies with applicable requirements.
Learn what Australia's card surcharge changes mean for your business, including compliance considerations, payment acceptance costs and emerging payment options. View the full whitepaper today or speak with a Monoova specialist about your payments strategy.