EFTPOS Terminals — Fast, Secure Payments for Your Business
Not sure which EFTPOS terminal suits your business? This guide covers the difference between countertop, portable, and integrated terminals — and helps you choose the right setup for your Australian business.
What Is an EFTPOS Terminal?
An EFTPOS terminal is a payment device that lets your customers pay by card — tap, chip, or swipe. It connects to your bank via a payment provider and settles funds into your business bank account, typically within 1–3 business days. EFTPOS stands for Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale.
Modern terminals accept all major cards — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, EFTPOS debit — and digital wallets including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. The right terminal depends on your business type, how you serve customers, and whether you need it to connect to POS software. The sections below walk through each option.
Countertop, Portable, or Integrated?
Three categories of EFTPOS terminal — each suited to a different business setup. Most Australian businesses use one or a combination.
Fixed at the checkout
A countertop EFTPOS terminal sits at a permanent register point. It connects via ethernet or Wi-Fi, making it reliable and simple. Best for cafes, retail stores, pharmacies, and any business where customers come to the counter to pay.
Best for
- ✓Retail shops
- ✓Cafes & restaurants (counter)
- ✓Pharmacies
- ✓Service front desks
Takes payments anywhere
A portable EFTPOS terminal runs on 4G mobile data or Wi-Fi — no cable required. You can take it tableside, to a market stall, out to a job site, or anywhere in Australia with mobile coverage. Battery-powered and built for mobility.
Best for
- ✓Restaurants (tableside)
- ✓Tradies & field services
- ✓Markets & pop-ups
- ✓Delivery & mobile businesses
Connects to your POS software
An integrated EFTPOS terminal links directly to your point-of-sale system. Payment amounts transfer automatically from your POS to the terminal — no manual entry, no keying errors, faster checkout. APS terminals integrate with 1,000+ POS systems via Linkly.
Best for
- ✓Businesses with existing POS
- ✓High-volume venues
- ✓Multi-staff operations
- ✓Hospitality & retail
Compare APS EFTPOS Terminal Options
APS offers four PAX terminals — one countertop and three portable. Full specs, images, and pricing on the EFTPOS Machines page.
| Model | Type | Connectivity | Screen | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAX A80 | Countertop | Wi-Fi + Ethernet | 4" HD touchscreen | Fixed checkout — retail, cafes, front desks |
| PAX A920 | Portable 4G | 4G + Wi-Fi | 5" HD touchscreen | Entry-level portable — small hospitality, markets |
| PAX A920 Pro | Portable 4G | 4G + Wi-Fi | 5.5" HD + barcode scanner | Tradies, markets, tableside service |
| PAX A920 Max | Portable 4G/5G | 4G/5G + Wi-Fi | 6" HD touchscreen | High-volume, customer-facing environments |
How to Choose the Right EFTPOS Terminal
Four questions to narrow down the right terminal for your business.
Do customers come to you, or do you go to them?
If customers come to a fixed counter, a countertop terminal keeps things simple and reliable. If you move around — serving tables, attending markets, visiting job sites — a portable 4G terminal is the right fit.
How many card transactions do you process per day?
For moderate to high volumes, a larger screen and faster processing make a real difference to checkout speed. APS's portable range scales from entry-level (A920 with 5" screen) to the largest (A920 Max with 6" screen).
Does your terminal need to connect to your POS software?
If you use a point-of-sale system, check whether it supports Linkly integration. APS terminals connect with 1,000+ POS systems via Linkly — eliminating manual amount entry and reducing errors at checkout.
Do you want to pass transaction fees to customers?
APS's no-cost EFTPOS surcharging lets you pass an ACCC-compliant surcharge to the customer so you pay zero merchant processing fees. It's optional, legal, and available on all APS terminals.
Want a deeper breakdown? Read our guide: Which EFTPOS terminal type suits your business? →
All Major Cards & Digital Wallets Accepted
Every APS EFTPOS terminal accepts all major cards and digital wallets via NFC contactless technology. Customers tap, chip, or swipe — your terminal handles the rest.
Visa & Mastercard
All credit and debit cards accepted
American Express
Supported on all terminals (subject to merchant agreement)
EFTPOS Debit
Australian savings and cheque accounts
Apple Pay
iPhone and Apple Watch tap-to-pay
Google Pay
Android device contactless payments
Samsung Pay
Samsung device wallet payments
Works with Your Existing POS System
APS terminals integrate with 1,000+ POS systems via Linkly — one of Australia's most widely used payment integration platforms. Your terminal and POS communicate automatically, so staff never key amounts in manually.
Popular POS systems
How Linkly works: Linkly is a payment switching layer installed between your POS software and your EFTPOS terminal. When a sale is processed in your POS, the amount is sent directly to the terminal — no retyping, no discrepancies. APS handles the setup.
Learn more about POS integration →Pay Zero Merchant Fees on Every Transaction
APS's no-cost EFTPOS solution lets you pass an ACCC-compliant surcharge to the customer — so you pay zero merchant processing fees. It's legal, transparent, and used by Australian businesses across hospitality, retail, and services.
Available on all APS terminals — countertop and portable.
Why Australian Businesses Choose APS
APS helps Australian businesses accept payments simply, affordably, and without the lock-in terms of traditional providers.
No Lock-In Contracts
Month-to-month flexibility. No fixed terms, no exit fees. Cancel any time — though most businesses stay for the savings.
Australian-Based Support
Real people, based in Australia, available for urgent payment issues. Call or email and we respond fast.
Fast, Simple Setup
Your terminal arrives pre-configured. Power it on and start accepting payments — no technical setup or IT required.
All Cards & Wallets Accepted
Visa, Mastercard, Amex, EFTPOS debit, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay — every method, every terminal.
1,000+ POS Integrations
Connects with 1,000+ POS systems via Linkly — the most widely used payment integration network in Australian hospitality and retail.
PCI-DSS Secure
All APS terminals meet PCI-DSS security standards. Your customers' payment data is always encrypted and protected.
See the Full APS Terminal Range
Compare the four APS terminals side by side — screen sizes, connectivity, battery, built-in printer, and which model suits your industry best.
Frequently Asked Questions About EFTPOS Terminals
Common questions about EFTPOS terminals, types, costs, and choosing the right setup for your Australian business.
An EFTPOS terminal is a payment device that lets your business accept card payments — including tap-and-go, chip, and swipe. Connected to your bank account via a payment provider, it processes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and EFTPOS debit cards, as well as digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. EFTPOS stands for Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale.
More questions? Visit our full FAQ page or contact our team.
Ready to Switch to Smarter EFTPOS?
Fill out the form and one of our EFTPOS specialists will be in touch to help you find the perfect solution for your business.
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Email us at
info@aps.businessEFTPOS Machines
Compare APS terminal models — PAX A80, A920, A920 Pro, and A920 Max.
No-Cost EFTPOS
Pass fees to customers legally. Pay zero merchant processing fees.
POS Integration
1,000+ POS systems via Linkly. Connect your existing setup to APS.
Portable EFTPOS Guide
Complete guide to portable EFTPOS terminals and accepting payments anywhere.