Surcharging · Australia
Zero Cost EFTPOS & Compliant Surcharging in Australia
Zero-cost EFTPOS moves the cost of card acceptance from your business to the customer through a compliant surcharge. We explain the RBA rules, compare terminal options and review whether it suits your customer base.
Most enquiries receive a response within 3 hours during business hours.
The concept
How zero-cost EFTPOS works in Australia
Zero-cost EFTPOS passes the cost of card acceptance to the customer through a compliant surcharge. Under RBA rules the surcharge must not exceed your actual cost of acceptance for that transaction, and it must be clearly displayed before the customer pays.
- Card acceptance fees reduce margin on every sale.
- Customers expect the same price whether they pay by card or cash.
- Surcharging rules are strict and must be applied correctly.
- Not every terminal supports compliant surcharge display and calculation.
Compliance
The RBA rules that matter
- Under RBA rules, a surcharge cannot exceed your actual cost of acceptance.
- The surcharge must be displayed clearly before the customer completes the transaction.
- Different card types have different costs, so a flat surcharge may not be compliant.
- The right terminal calculates and displays the correct surcharge automatically.
Fee breakdown
What makes up your cost of acceptance
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 in a zero-cost EFTPOS setup
| 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
Setting up compliant surcharging in four steps
- 1
Review your current card costs
We look at your merchant statement to work out your real cost of acceptance by card type.
- 2
Check surcharging suitability
We discuss your customer base and price sensitivity to see whether surcharging fits your business.
- 3
Compare zero-cost terminal options
You get terminal choices that calculate and display compliant surcharges at the point of sale.
- 4
Implement and monitor
We help set the correct surcharge rates and explain how to review them when your underlying merchant fees change.
Enquire
Ask about zero-cost EFTPOS for your business
Tell us your business type, state and current merchant fees and we will assess whether surcharging suits you.
Questions
Zero-cost EFTPOS FAQ
Is zero-cost EFTPOS legal in Australia?
Yes, provided the surcharge does not exceed your actual cost of accepting that card and is clearly disclosed before the transaction is completed. The ACCC enforces these rules.
How much can I surcharge?
You can only surcharge up to the actual cost of acceptance for that transaction. For most businesses this is a percentage made up of merchant service fees, scheme fees and terminal costs, not a round-dollar amount.
Do customers accept surcharging?
It depends on the business and customer base. Transparent signage, consistent application and fair surcharge amounts generally result in fewer complaints than hidden fees built into prices.
Can I surcharge some cards and not others?
Yes, but the surcharge for each card type must reflect the actual cost of accepting that card. You cannot average costs across card types and apply one flat rate unless that rate is at or below the lowest-cost card type.
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.
- 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.
Want to know if zero-cost EFTPOS suits your business?
Send a recent merchant statement or call 0412 025 552 — Mon–Fri 8:30am – 7:30pm AEST · Online enquiries 24/7.