Retail · Australia
Compare EFTPOS Fees for Retail Stores & Shops
Retail card mix varies widely — debit, credit, premium and international cards all cost differently. A blended rate hides that. We show which cards are driving your merchant fees and what the alternatives cost.
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Straight answer
What retail stores really pay
Retail merchant costs are driven by card mix as much as by rate. Debit, credit, premium and international cards each cost differently, and a blended plan averages them into one figure that hides where the money goes. Interchange-plus pricing makes the expensive cards visible, which is where most retail savings are found.
- Blended pricing conceals which card types are expensive to accept.
- Premium and international cards carry higher interchange than standard debit.
- Seasonal retail turnover makes minimum monthly fees costly in quiet periods.
- Multi-store groups often run inconsistent plans inherited from different banks.
Why it matters
What a better EFTPOS setup changes
- Interchange-plus pricing shows scheme costs separately so higher-cost cards become visible.
- Stores with a high debit share often save immediately by moving off a blended rate.
- One consistent pricing model across stores makes reporting and reconciliation simpler.
- Adding a free-placement ATM gives shoppers cash access 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 a statement per store
One recent month for each location shows card mix, turnover and every fee line charged.
- 2
Break down your card mix
We separate debit, credit, premium and international volumes so you can see where the cost sits.
- 3
Compare blended against interchange-plus
You get an all-in monthly figure for each model at your actual volume and card mix.
- 4
Roll out or stay put
If a change stacks up, we can quote one model across every store. If not, we say so.
Enquire
Ask about cheaper EFTPOS fees
Tell us your average sale value, monthly card turnover and state and we will come back with options.
Questions
Retail Store EFTPOS FAQ
Should a retail store use blended or interchange-plus pricing?
Interchange-plus generally wins where card volume is higher and debit share is significant, because scheme costs are passed through transparently. Blended can be cheaper for very low volumes. The answer comes from your card mix, not the industry.
Why did my EFTPOS fees rise without notice?
On blended plans, a shift in card mix — more premium or international cards — raises your effective cost even though the headline rate has not changed. Interchange-plus makes that shift visible on the statement.
Can a multi-store retailer use one EFTPOS plan?
Yes. Consolidating stores onto one pricing model usually improves the rate through combined volume and makes reconciliation across locations far simpler.
Does surcharging suit retail?
It depends on your price positioning and customer base. Where it fits, a compliant surcharge removes card acceptance cost; where it does not, a better pricing model is the practical option.
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.
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.