Card surcharging ends 1 October 2026. We’re here to support your transition.
From 1 October 2026, card payment surcharges will end across Australia under Visa, Mastercard and eftpos network rules. As an APS customer, the technical heavy lifting is already taken care of on our end — and we will help ensure your terminal setup transitions smoothly.
Key takeaways
Here is what you need to know, what is changing, and how we will support you through it.
Automatic terminal updates
Card surcharging will automatically turn off on your APS terminal on 1 October 2026. You don’t need to press anything or change complex settings — we handle the technical update automatically.
Applies across all card payments
The change applies to card payments everywhere you accept them: in store, online, and business-to-business. It covers the designated card networks — eftpos, Mastercard and Visa — and American Express has decided to remove surcharging from the same date.
Remove surcharge notices
You will need to remove any signs, stickers or text that mention charging extra for card payments — counter stickers, checkout notices, receipt footers, website terms and invoice notes.
What is changing — at a glance
Card payment surcharges
- eftpos — debit and prepaid
- Mastercard and Visa — credit, debit and prepaid
- In store, online and for business-to-business card payments
Fees not linked to how a customer pays
- Weekend and public-holiday surcharges
- Booking fees and service fees
- PayPal, buy-now-pay-later and bank transfers — these have their own rules
A fee sits outside the change only where it applies equally regardless of payment method. American Express is not currently subject to formal RBA regulation but is removing surcharging from the same date.
Who does what — the short list
The technical heavy lifting is already taken care of on our end.
Your terminal updates itself
- Card surcharging turns off automatically on your terminal on 1 October 2026
- No settings to change and nothing to press
- A specialist checks in on your setup and answers technical questions
Two jobs before 1 October
- Remove surcharge notices — counter stickers, checkout notices, receipt footers, website terms and invoice notes
- If you intend to change your pricing structure, update pricing, signage and disclosures before the new rules commence
Key dates
What to remove, and where
Anything that mentions charging extra for card payments. If in doubt, it is safer to remove or reword it before 1 October.
In store
- Counter stickers and window decals
- Printed menus and price lists
- Receipt footers
Online
- Checkout surcharge lines and messaging
- Website terms and FAQs
- Payment-link and booking pages
- Order confirmation emails
Invoices and business customers
- Invoice notes and templates
- Quotes and contract wording
- Remittance and payment instructions that mention a card fee
On the day, and what to say
Nothing changes yet
- The current rules continue to apply
- Your terminal keeps working exactly as it does today
What your customers see
- No card payment surcharge is added, whichever card your customer uses
- An APS specialist checks in over the coming weeks to go through your setup
- Call us any time if something looks unusual
If a customer asks: card surcharges end across Australia on 1 October. They will see the same change at other businesses too.
What does not change
Your Qantas Business Rewards
You continue to earn Qantas Business Rewards on transactions processed through your APS terminal. The change has no effect on your rewards.
Your terminal setup
You don’t need to press anything or change complex settings — we handle the technical update automatically.
Fees not tied to how someone pays
Weekend and public-holiday surcharges, booking fees and service fees are not card payment surcharges, provided they apply equally regardless of payment method.
Managing your card acceptance costs
Every business is different, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.
Your pricing is your decision
Pricing models that comply with Australian Consumer Law and are not linked to how a customer pays remain available. What suits your business depends on your own circumstances.
What APS can help with
We can configure your EFTPOS terminal to support the pricing model you choose.
Where to get advice
Speak to your accountant, financial adviser or legal adviser before making pricing changes.
Day-based service fees come with their own conditions and disclosure rules. Our service fees guide explains what they are and where they sit alongside the 1 October change.
Important compliance guidelines
To help keep your business compliant with your Merchant Terms and Card Network Rules.
Before 1 October
- Keep displayed prices as the full price — any cash discount comes off that price
- Update pricing, signage and disclosures before the new rules commence if you intend to change your pricing structure
- Check that fees you keep apply equally, however a customer pays
Common traps
- Don’t simply rename a surcharge — service, processing or handling fee is still a surcharge
- Don’t apply a fee only to certain payment methods
- Don’t leave old surcharge wording on receipts, terms or invoices
YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
1 October surcharge ban — FAQs
Answers to the questions merchants ask us most.
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.
An APS specialist will be in touch
Over the coming weeks we’ll check in on your terminal setup and answer any technical questions about your account. If you would prefer not to wait for our call, click below and one of our specialists will call you back.
