Australia’s Card Surcharge Changes: What Shoppers Need to Know
You order a coffee for $5.50, tap your card, and somehow the amount on the terminal is a little higher than the price you just saw. It is a small difference, but it is something Australians have become very familiar with. From 1 October 2026 , that everyday checkout experience is about to change. Contents 1. What changes on October 1? 2. Which cards are included? 3. Does this mean shopping will be cheaper? 4. Which surcharges can still remain? 5. Why is Australia changing the system? 6. What shoppers should remember 1. What changes on October 1? The Reserve Bank of Australia has completed a major review of card payment costs and surcharging. From 1 October 2026, eftpos, Mastercard and Visa will introduce rules preventing businesses from adding a separate surcharge simply because a customer pays with their cards. In practical terms, if an item is advertised at $10, you should no longer reach the card terminal and find a...