Service fees, explained
Card payment surcharges end on 1 October 2026. A day-based service fee is a different thing — never a substitute for a card payment surcharge. Here is what it is, the conditions that apply, and where to get advice for your business.
What decides whether your fee can continue
Does the fee only apply when someone pays by card?
It is a card payment surcharge — so it ends on 1 October 2026
Surcharging on eftpos, Mastercard and Visa ends on 1 October 2026, and American Express has decided to remove it from the same date. Calling it a service fee, processing fee or handling fee does not change its legal status.
It is not a card payment surcharge — so it can continue
A fee on nominated trading days sits outside the card surcharge rules — but only if all three hold.
- It applies to every customer, cash included, regardless of payment method
- It is clearly disclosed before the transaction takes place
- It is never used as a substitute for a card payment surcharge
For the full picture on what changes on 1 October 2026 — including what to remove before the date and how your terminal updates — see our guide to the change.
Card payment surcharge vs day-based service fee
The two are often confused. One ends on 1 October 2026; the other is a different thing entirely.
| Feature | Card payment surcharge | Day-based service fee |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | The customer pays by card | The trading day — e.g. weekends or public holidays |
| Applies to | Certain payment methods only | Every payment method, cash included |
| From 1 Oct 2026 | No — ends 1 Oct 2026 | Not a card surcharge, if all conditions are met |
| Disclosure | Shown at the terminal | Disclosed clearly before the transaction |
| Key limit | Prohibited from 1 October 2026 | Never a substitute for a card surcharge |
General information only.
Questions about your terminal setup? Book a call with an APS specialist.
How the fee has to be shown
The ACCC treats restaurants and cafes differently from other businesses.
A statement on the menu
- An exemption under the law means a day-based surcharge does not have to be built into the prices shown on the menu
- The menu must instead carry the ACCC’s wording, at least as prominent as the most prominent price on the menu
- If the menu carries no prices, the information must be displayed prominently another way
Built into the displayed price
- The menu exemption does not apply outside restaurants and cafes
- Under the ACCC’s minimum total cost rule, the total price must be shown as a single figure including unavoidable fees
A fee that applies every day must be built into your displayed prices, whatever your business. Not sure which applies to you? Check with your adviser.
How the menu statement is worded
The wording the ACCC requires on a restaurant or cafe menu.
Sample cafe menu
- Item$0.00
- Item$0.00
- Item$0.00
“A surcharge of [percentage] applies on [day or days].”
- Use the ACCC’s wording
- At least as prominent as the most prominent price on the menu
- If the menu carries no prices, display it prominently another way
Example only, and specific to restaurants and cafes. Other businesses must make the total price clear before purchase. The percentage and days are yours to decide.
Where the fee must be shown
The requirement is clear disclosure before the transaction takes place.
Menus and price lists
- Restaurants and cafes: on the menu, at least as prominent as the most prominent price
- If the menu carries no prices, display it prominently another way
- Other businesses: make sure the total price a customer will pay is clear before purchase
Online and ordering
- On your website and any ordering page
- Disclosed at the start of the purchase process, not added later at checkout
- On booking and payment-link pages
In store and on receipts
- Counter signage where customers order
- Itemising the fee on receipts as well keeps things transparent for customers
The RBA also lists booking fees as unaffected. As with any fee, disclose it before the customer commits — and a fee linked to how someone pays is a card surcharge whatever it is called.
How APS can help
We handle the technical side — the pricing decision stays yours.
Terminal configuration
APS can configure your EFTPOS terminal to support the pricing model you choose, so it is applied consistently at the terminal.
A specialist on the phone
An APS specialist will check in on your terminal setup and answer technical questions about your account.
Where to get advice
Speak to your accountant, financial adviser or legal adviser before making any pricing changes.
YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
Service fees — FAQs
The questions merchants ask us most about service fees.
APS cannot provide legal, financial or tax advice, or determine which pricing approach is right for your business. Before introducing any new pricing model, we recommend seeking advice from your accountant, financial adviser or legal adviser. This page is general information for APS merchants only.
Questions about your terminal setup?
Our team can walk you through the technical side and configure your terminal to support the pricing model you choose.
