Comparison
ATM vs EFTPOS cash out — which is better for your venue?
Cash out looks free until you count the till float, the staff time and the card fees. Here's the honest comparison.
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Short answer
ATM vs EFTPOS cash out — which is better for your venue?
EFTPOS cash out uses your own till float and staff time and adds nothing to your revenue, while each card transaction still carries a merchant fee. An ATM uses the operator's cash, needs no staff involvement and pays the venue a share of every withdrawal. Most venues run both: cash out for small top-ups at the counter, an ATM for everything else.
Head to head
The practical differences
| Factor | EFTPOS cash out | On-site ATM |
|---|---|---|
| Whose cash | Your till float | Operator's cash |
| Staff involvement | Every transaction | None |
| Cost to you | Merchant fee on the card sale | Nil under free placement |
| Revenue to you | None | Share of each surcharge |
| Availability | Only while staffed | All trading hours, or 24/7 |
| Amount limits | Limited by till float | Set by the machine and the customer's bank |
| Queue impact | Slows the counter | Self-service |
The hidden cost
What cash out really costs a venue
Cash out drains the till. Staff either run short before close or the venue holds a bigger float than it needs, which is both a cash-flow and a security cost. Every cash-out transaction also occupies a staff member at the exact moment the counter is busiest.
It also does nothing for revenue. The venue absorbs the cost of the card transaction and hands over its own cash, receiving nothing in return other than goodwill.
- Till float depletion, especially on weekends and late trade.
- Staff time at peak counter periods.
- Merchant fees on the underlying card transaction.
- Extra cash handling, banking and reconciliation.
- No revenue from the service at all.
The realistic answer
Why most venues run both
Cash out suits small top-ups — a customer wanting $20 with their purchase. An ATM suits everything else, especially larger withdrawals, unstaffed hours and busy periods when the counter can't absorb the interruption.
Adding an ATM typically reduces cash-out requests sharply, which frees the till and the staff, while the venue starts earning from withdrawals it previously subsidised.
Keep cash out for
Small top-ups with a purchase, regulars, and moments when the ATM is being serviced.
Use the ATM for
Larger withdrawals, unstaffed hours, peak trade and anyone who isn't buying anything.
Watch your card fees
If cash out is costing you in merchant fees, it's worth reviewing your EFTPOS pricing at the same time.
Measure it
Count cash-out requests for a fortnight. That number is a decent proxy for the withdrawals an ATM would capture.
FAQs
Questions people ask
Not for the venue. Cash out uses your own float and staff time and earns you nothing, while the underlying card transaction still carries a merchant fee. A placed ATM costs the venue nothing and pays a share of each withdrawal.
It sharply reduces requests, particularly for larger amounts. Small top-ups with a purchase usually continue at the counter, which is generally fine.
Yes, and most venues do. Cash out handles small amounts at the counter, the ATM handles everything else including unstaffed hours.
It can. Heavy cash out depletes the float on weekends and late trade, forcing venues to hold more cash on site, which is both a cash-flow and a security issue.
Customers usually prefer the ATM for anything beyond a small top-up — no queue, no purchase required and larger amounts available.
Keep reading
Related pages
- Compare EFTPOS feesWhat Australian businesses are paying to accept cards.
- ATM surcharge fees explainedWho sets the fee and where it goes.
- 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?
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