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.
For practical guidance and resources to help your business prepare, go to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman website.