Card payment sucharges banned in Australia from 2026

[NoName]

Incorrect, there are plenty of businesses that don't provide alternative payment methods to avoid surcharges. I wish that were true, but it's not.
More prone to medium to smaller businesses.
Soak Bathhouse in Syd, Bris, GC and Mel is just one off the top of my mind, but there are a lot..

They impose a surcharge and don’t allow you to pay cash? You should report them if that’s the case. In any event, your point still related to the current surcharge regime and not with the proposed situation we are likely to find ourselves in.

 

[simmomelb]

They impose a surcharge and don’t allow you to pay cash? You should report them if that’s the case. In any event, your point still related to the current surcharge regime and not with the proposed situation we are likely to find ourselves in.

Correct, plenty of businesses don't allow you to pay cash or bank transfer to avoid the current card charges. I've reported plenty of businesses for this, the ACCC does nothing about it, I guess they have bigger issues to deal with.
Yes, I see your point with the proposed changes also, come July 1st, 2026.

 

[burmans]

And therein lies the biggest problem, existing rules aren’t enforced now. We wouldn’t have such a problem if they were!

 

[N0mad]

I also use the HSBC debit card for all in-person payments $99.99 and under. HSBC is almost certainly losing money on every transaction, there is no way they are getting 2% in merchant fees on a debit card. I expect they hope to make it back by from customers taking out other products.

this is incorrect, HSBC earn a margin on the cash balance in the account. Although not disclosed for HSBC if you use CBAs net interest margin of 1.9% they are most certainly making money.

Generally 50-90% lower than what is offered in Australia: Card payment sucharges banned in Australia from 2026

Here's my prediction:
1. Reforms will be implemented.
2. Surcharges will be eliminated.
3. Credit card reward schemes will be reduced to UK levels.
4. Prices will remain unchanged as retailers absorb reduced fees into their profit margins.

100%, particularly 4.

 

[JohnPhelan]

In a situation where surcharges are outlawed merchants will have the choice to either absorb the cost of accepting card payments or incorporate them in advertised price. The latter is what will happen.

Which is the way it used to be, and should be.