Card payment sucharges banned in Australia from 2026

[SeaWolf]

I just bought something at a restaurant that cost $21.90. There was a notice on the counter that Visa and Mastercard attract a 1.5% surcharge. I was then handed an eftpos terminal with the amount showing as $22.40. How is this legal?

It's not legal, but who's going to stop them? One of the major issues with the current system has been the near total lack of enforcement of the already too weak rules. Also, how many people do you think would notice that the surcharge is wrong? I'm guessing almost no one. You've been very diligent checking it, but you're probably the first to do that.

It's frustrating, but what you've just experienced is one of the reasons cited by the RBA to put an end to this mess.

 

[GrahamBRI]

It's frustrating, but what you've just experienced is one of the reasons cited by the RBA to put an end to this mess.

I am not convinced (yet) that the RBA will achieve anything effectual. Time will tell, but their changes compelling retailers to display CC charges, were clearly not effective, what will make these effective - as I understand it; weekend surcharges, public holiday surcharges, fuel surcharges, corkage fees, and, and, are sill all okay…….. these CC changes will just shift revenue structures, I do not expect them to change revenue outcomes…… so the net cost to the net consumers will be exactly the same….. my thoughts.

 

[Mr_Orange]

weekend surcharges, public holiday surcharges

Don't get me started on this nonsense!

 

[Mr_Orange]

what will make these effective

That's a fair question on the basis of the apparent lack of enforcement of the current rules. From about mid-August, I intend to start telling the businesses that I use regularly about the upcoming ban on surcharging. I'm not sure how effective that will be, but it can't hurt.