Fees
ATM surcharge fees explained
Every withdrawal from an independent ATM carries a surcharge. Here's who sets it, who receives it, and how much reaches the venue hosting the machine.
Most enquiries receive a response within 3 hours during business hours.
Short answer
ATM surcharge fees explained
An ATM surcharge is a direct charge set by the ATM's owner, disclosed on screen before the withdrawal is confirmed, and paid by the cardholder on top of the amount withdrawn. Independent Australian ATMs commonly surcharge around $2.50–$3.50. The operator collects it and pays the host venue an agreed share of each transaction.
How it works
Where the money actually goes
Australia uses direct charging: the ATM deployer sets the fee, must display it on screen before the customer commits, and the customer can cancel at no cost. The cardholder's own bank does not set or receive this fee.
From the surcharge, the deployer covers the machine, cash float and cash-in-transit, switching and processing, connectivity, servicing and insurance — and pays the venue its agreed share. That share is the venue's revenue and requires no outlay under free placement.
| Party | Role | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cardholder | Pays the surcharge, after on-screen disclosure | Cash withdrawn |
| ATM deployer / operator | Owns and runs the machine and the cash | The surcharge, less the host share |
| Host venue | Provides the site, power and traffic | An agreed share per withdrawal |
| Cardholder's bank | Authorises the transaction | No part of the surcharge |
Typical amounts
What surcharges look like in practice
- Independent retail ATMs commonly sit around $2.50–$3.50 per withdrawal.
- Remote, late-trade and high-cost sites sit at the upper end.
- Balance enquiries may carry a smaller fee or none, depending on the deployer.
- The fee is per transaction, not a percentage of the amount withdrawn.
- The screen must disclose the fee and allow the customer to cancel free of charge.
For venues
What determines your share
Transaction volume
The strongest lever by far. More withdrawals per month means better terms at renewal and a higher effective rate.
Who owns the machine
Owners keep the largest share; lease and placement hosts receive an agreed portion reflecting who carries the cost and risk.
Who funds the cash
If the operator supplies and insures the float, that cost comes out of the surcharge before the split.
Site costs
Remote sites cost more to replenish and service, which is reflected in the split rather than hidden in fees to you.
Context
Card fees are changing too
The RBA's ongoing review of card payment costs is reshaping what merchants pay to accept cards. If you're weighing cash against card acceptance, both sides of the ledger are moving — we track the changes weekly on the RBA card payment fee page.
FAQs
Questions people ask
The ATM's owner or deployer sets it under Australia's direct-charging model. It must be disclosed on screen before the withdrawal is confirmed, and the customer can cancel free of charge.
Independent ATMs in Australia commonly charge around $2.50–$3.50 per withdrawal, with higher fees at remote or high-cost sites.
No. The operator collects the surcharge and pays the host venue an agreed share. Venues that own their machine outright keep the largest share because they carry the machine, cash and servicing costs.
Under direct charging the ATM surcharge is the fee disclosed on screen. Some accounts apply their own separate fees, which is a matter between the customer and their bank.
The deployer sets the fee, but it's a discussion — venues can raise concerns about price sensitivity in their location and this is factored into the agreement.
Keep reading
Related pages
- ATM revenue & profit shareThe split, worked through with real volumes.
- RBA card payment fee changesWeekly log of card-fee reform in Australia.
- ATM vs EFTPOS cash outWhich one actually costs your venue less.
- Free ATM placementZero cost, fully managed, with a share of every withdrawal.
- Buy an ATM machineOutright purchase, pricing and payback for high-volume sites.
- ATM lease & rentalFixed monthly cost with servicing included.
Want this answered for your venue specifically?
Tell us your site and volumes and we'll give you the real numbers. Or call 0412 025 552 — Mon–Fri 8:30am – 7:30pm AEST · Online enquiries 24/7.