Machine hire · Australia
Compare EFTPOS Machine Hire & Terminal Rental
Hire looks like a single monthly line, but the real cost of an EFTPOS machine is the rental plus every transaction fee charged through it. We read your statement and give you one all-in figure to compare.
Most enquiries receive a response within 3 hours during business hours.
Straight answer
What businesses hiring an EFTPOS machine really pay
EFTPOS machine hire is charged as a fixed monthly rental for the terminal, separate from the transaction fees processed through it. The only meaningful comparison is the all-in monthly cost — rental plus merchant service fees, per-transaction charges, scheme costs and any monthly minimum — at your own card volume and card mix. Hire suits businesses that want servicing, replacement and updates included; buying a terminal outright removes the rental line but moves support and hardware obsolescence onto you.
- Monthly hire is quoted separately from the transaction rate, so the true cost is never on one page.
- Hire agreements often run longer than the terminal stays competitive.
- Minimum monthly charges apply even in quiet or seasonal months.
- Extra terminals for peak trade keep billing through the off-season.
- Replacement and support terms differ sharply between providers on identical hardware.
Why it matters
What a better EFTPOS setup changes
- A low hire fee attached to a high transaction rate can cost more than the reverse — only the all-in figure settles it.
- Hire suits businesses that want servicing, replacement and software updates handled for them.
- Buying a terminal outright removes the monthly line but moves support and obsolescence onto you.
- Shorter terms keep the ability to re-compare, which is where most of the long-run saving comes from.
- Pairing a hired terminal with a free-placement ATM gives customers a cash option that carries no merchant fee.
Fee breakdown
The six charges that make up your EFTPOS cost
Merchant service fee
A percentage of every card sale, often blended across card types. This is usually the largest line on a statement and the one worth comparing first.
Terminal rental or hire
A fixed monthly cost for the EFTPOS machine itself. Some providers bundle it into the transaction rate, others bill it separately.
Interchange and scheme fees
Costs set by the card schemes and passed through to you. Interchange-plus pricing shows them separately; blended pricing hides them inside one rate.
Fixed per-transaction fee
A cents-per-tap charge. On low-value convenience-store baskets this can matter more than the percentage rate.
Minimum monthly fee
A floor charged when your card volume is low. Seasonal and regional sites should check this carefully.
Surcharging (zero-cost EFTPOS)
Passing the cost of card acceptance to the customer within the RBA surcharging rules, so the fee sits with the transaction rather than your margin.
Comparison checklist
What to compare before you switch EFTPOS provider
| What to compare | Why it matters | Ask the provider |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Blended rates are simple but can hide expensive card mixes. | Is this blended or interchange-plus, and what does each card type cost? |
| Total monthly cost | A low rate with high rental can cost more than the reverse. | What is my all-in monthly cost at my current card volume? |
| Contract term | Long lock-ins remove your ability to re-compare later. | What is the term, and what does early exit cost? |
| Settlement time | Same-day settlement changes your working capital. | When do funds land, and does that change on weekends? |
| Surcharge support | Zero-cost setups must stay inside RBA surcharging rules. | Can the terminal surcharge compliantly, and who configures it? |
| Support and replacement | A dead terminal in a convenience store stops trade immediately. | What are support hours and the replacement turnaround? |
How it works
A fee review in four steps
- 1
Send your current hire agreement and one statement
Between them they show the rental line, the term, and every fee charged through the machine.
- 2
We total the hire and the transaction cost
Rental, per-transaction fees, minimums and scheme costs are combined into one monthly all-in number.
- 3
Compare hire against purchase
You see what the same trading volume looks like on hire, on a bundled plan and on an owned terminal.
- 4
Choose the term that suits you
If your current agreement is already competitive we tell you. The review is free and carries no obligation.
Enquire
Ask about cheaper EFTPOS fees
Tell us your average sale value, monthly card turnover and state and we will come back with options.
What happens after you hit send
- 1You get an instant email confirming we've received your enquiry.
- 2We check your venue type, hours and foot traffic against the right ATM option.
- 3You get a call or email with a clear recommendation and pricing — your choice which.
Reply within 3 business hours
A real person reviews every enquiry. Mon–Fri 8:30am – 7:30pm AEST · Online enquiries 24/7, most venues hear back the same morning or afternoon.
Your details stay private
Sent over an encrypted connection, stored securely, and never sold or shared with third-party marketers.
No obligation, no pressure
You get honest advice on whether free placement, a lease or buying suits your site — walk away any time.
Prefer to talk it through first? Call 0412 025 552
Questions
EFTPOS Machine Hire FAQ
Hire is quoted as a fixed monthly rental, but the figure that matters is the rental plus the transaction fees charged through the terminal. Two providers with the same rental can differ substantially once card mix and per-transaction fees are counted, which is why we compare from your statement rather than from a rate card.
Hire is usually better where you want servicing, replacement and updates included, or where card volume may change. Buying removes the monthly rental but leaves support, faults and hardware obsolescence with you. At steady, high volume the purchase case strengthens; below that, hire generally wins.
Yes. Short-term and mobile terminals are available for markets, festivals and seasonal trade. Check the minimum term, the connectivity option and whether the transaction rate differs from a standard fixed-site agreement.
That depends entirely on the agreement, and it is the clause worth reading closely. Ask for the replacement window in writing — a dead terminal in a convenience store or service station stops trade immediately.
No. Settlements can usually be directed to any Australian business account you nominate, independent of who supplies the terminal.
Cash and card together
Related ATM options
By city
Compare EFTPOS fees in your city
- EFTPOS fees SydneyMerchant fee comparison for Sydney businesses.
- EFTPOS fees MelbourneMerchant fee comparison for Melbourne businesses.
- EFTPOS fees BrisbaneMerchant fee comparison for Brisbane businesses.
- EFTPOS fees PerthMerchant fee comparison for Perth businesses.
- EFTPOS fees AdelaideMerchant fee comparison for Adelaide businesses.
- EFTPOS fees CanberraMerchant fee comparison for Canberra businesses.
By state
Compare EFTPOS fees in your state
- EFTPOS fees NSWCompare merchant rates for New South Wales businesses.
- EFTPOS fees VICCompare merchant rates for Victoria businesses.
- EFTPOS fees QLDCompare merchant rates for Queensland businesses.
- EFTPOS fees WACompare merchant rates for Western Australia businesses.
- EFTPOS fees SACompare merchant rates for South Australia businesses.
- EFTPOS fees TASCompare merchant rates for Tasmania businesses.
- EFTPOS fees ACTCompare merchant rates for Australian Capital Territory businesses.
- EFTPOS fees NTCompare merchant rates for Northern Territory businesses.
EFTPOS topics
More EFTPOS fee comparisons
- EFTPOS Fees for Convenience Stores & Mini-MartsCompare EFTPOS machine fees for Australian convenience stores and mini-marts. Low-basket, high-volume sites often pay more in fixed per-tap fees than percentage rates.
- EFTPOS Fees for Petrol & Service StationsCompare EFTPOS machine fees for Australian petrol stations, roadhouses and service stations. High card volumes and mixed forecourt/shop sales need the right pricing model.
- EFTPOS Machine Fees for Small BusinessCompare EFTPOS fees and terminal rental for Australian small businesses. See whether your current merchant rate is competitive against your real card volume.
- Zero Cost EFTPOS & Compliant SurchargingLearn how zero-cost EFTPOS works in Australia. Pass card acceptance costs to customers within RBA surcharging rules and compare terminal options.
- EFTPOS Fees for Cafes, Restaurants & TakeawayCompare EFTPOS machine fees for Australian cafes, restaurants and takeaway venues. Small average sales make per-transaction fees the cost that matters most.
- EFTPOS Fees for Retail Stores & ShopsCompare EFTPOS machine fees for Australian retail stores and shops. Review merchant rates, terminal rental and surcharging against your real card mix.
- EFTPOS Merchant ServicesCompare EFTPOS merchant services in Australia — merchant service fees, pricing models, settlement times and terminal support — reviewed against your own statement.
- EFTPOS Surcharge RulesHow EFTPOS card surcharging works in Australia: the RBA cost-of-acceptance limit, disclosure requirements, what counts as a permitted cost and how to set a compliant surcharge.
Find out what your business is really paying
Send a recent merchant statement or call 0412 025 552 — Mon–Fri 8:30am – 7:30pm AEST · Online enquiries 24/7.