RBA card payment fee changes: what they mean for ATMs and EFTPOS

1. 9 September 2026

   Discounts for cash can still be offered after surcharging ends

   In its surcharge-removal FAQs the RBA states that removing the prohibition on no-surcharge rules is not intended to prevent businesses offering discounts to consumers for using particular payment methods, and names discounts as a way to steer customers to cheaper payment methods.

   Supporting notes

   The RBA directs businesses to their payment service provider and to ACCC guidance on how prices are displayed. A discount reduces the price below the displayed price for cash, rather than adding an amount on top of it for cards, which is why it is unaffected by the removal of card surcharging. Discounts should be priced against the merchant's real cost of acceptance, taken from a merchant statement rather than a headline rate.

   What it means for your venue: A discount for cash is now the main pricing lever a venue has. It only changes behaviour if customers can get cash on site, so pair the offer with an ATM in line of sight of the counter and clear signage at the point of decision.

   Government / official source: Reserve Bank of Australia

   General information only, summarised from the official source above on 9 September 2026. Not financial, legal or taxation advice — verify the detail with the source document before acting.

2. 9 September 2026

   Card surcharges to be removed from 1 October 2026

   The RBA's Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging concluded that surcharging on eftpos, Mastercard and Visa payments should end, by lifting the RBA's prohibition on card network no-surcharge rules. The designated networks have each said they intend to introduce no-surcharge rules from 1 October 2026.

   Supporting notes

   The Payments System Board decided it is in the public interest to remove surcharging on the designated debit and credit card systems. The RBA notes some payment providers have indicated they may switch surcharging functionality off from that date, so the change can arrive through a terminal without the merchant acting. Businesses that used a surcharge to recover card costs will need to review their pricing or their merchant plan instead.

   What it means for your venue: If your terminal currently adds a card surcharge, budget for that revenue to stop from 1 October 2026. Ask your provider in writing when they will disable surcharging, and get your cost per card sale reviewed before then.

   Government / official source: Reserve Bank of Australia

   General information only, summarised from the official source above on 9 September 2026. Not financial, legal or taxation advice — verify the detail with the source document before acting.

3. 9 August 2026

   Cash access and ATM availability remain a policy focus

   Regulators and government continue to monitor cash access across Australia, particularly in regional areas and where bank branches have closed. Reliable ATM availability in retail venues is part of that access picture.

   Supporting notes

   What it means for your venue: Venues in areas with fewer bank branches often see stronger ATM usage, which supports a free-placement ATM and can lift in-store spend.

   Government / official source: Reserve Bank of Australia

   General information only, summarised from the official source above on 9 August 2026. Not financial, legal or taxation advice — verify the detail with the source document before acting.

4. 4 August 2026

   Lower interchange caps and what they mean for small merchants

   Proposed reductions to interchange fee caps are intended to lower the wholesale cost of card acceptance, with the largest relative benefit expected for smaller merchants who currently pay blended rates well above the caps.

   Supporting notes

   What it means for your venue: Lower wholesale caps do not automatically lower your bill. Acquirers can retain the difference in their margin, so it is worth comparing your effective rate against the new caps.

   Government / official source: Reserve Bank of Australia

   General information only, summarised from the official source above on 4 August 2026. Not financial, legal or taxation advice — verify the detail with the source document before acting.

5. 28 July 2026

   RBA card payments review: surcharging and interchange reforms

   The Reserve Bank of Australia's review of retail payments regulation covers card surcharging, interchange fee caps and clearer disclosure of merchant fees. The RBA has published its conclusions and proposed changes to the standards that govern what merchants may pass on to customers and what card schemes may charge.

   Supporting notes

   What it means for your venue: If you accept cards, your merchant statement and the way you display or recover card costs may need to change. Check your current all-in cost per transaction before you renew any terminal contract.

   Government / official source: Reserve Bank of Australia

   General information only, summarised from the official source above on 28 July 2026. Not financial, legal or taxation advice — verify the detail with the source document before acting.

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Most venues we install an ATM for are also running an EFTPOS terminal. If you want the card side checked at the same time, we compare EFTPOS machine fees, terminal rental and surcharging options off one recent merchant statement. Compare EFTPOS machine fees or ask about both in the same enquiry.

• Compare EFTPOS machine fees AustraliaSend one recent merchant statement and see your real all-in cost per transaction.
• Zero-cost EFTPOS & surchargingHow compliant customer surcharging shifts the terminal cost off your margin.
• Convenience store EFTPOS feesLow-basket, high-tap sites often pay more in fixed fees than percentage rates.
• Petrol & service station EFTPOS feesFuel card mix, pay-at-pump volumes and per-transaction pricing reviewed together.