Card payment sucharges banned in Australia from 2026

[Be.au]

Just heard a report ATO is ceasing accepting any card payments at all.

https://www.ato.gov.au/media-centre/ato-to-stop-accepting-credit-cards-after-30-november-2026

 

[levelnine]

Card surcharges replaced with platform fees. Merchants no longer accepting credit cards. Massive devaluation in credit card sign-up bonuses, points earning and insurance benefits.

A huge win.

 

[lovestotravel]

https://www.ato.gov.au/media-centre/ato-to-stop-accepting-credit-cards-after-30-november-2026

Wow. Another huge win for all...

 

[LondonAussie]

Aussie business sure loves to throw tantrums.

Businesses operate all over the world without surcharges, it’s hilarious and sad to watch the whinging poms be out-whinged by Aussies.

 

[CaptJCool]

Card surcharges

Businesses can currently charge a surcharge for paying by card. If a business charges a payment surcharge, it must be able to prove the costs it's based on. If there's no way to pay without a surcharge, the surcharge must be included in the displayed price.

www.accc.gov.au

 

[Be.au]

Card surcharges

Businesses can currently charge a surcharge for paying by card. If a business charges a payment surcharge, it must be able to prove the costs it's based on. If there's no way to pay without a surcharge, the surcharge must be included in the displayed price.

www.accc.gov.au

Any ‘no surcharge’ rules are set by each card network’s scheme rules and merchant contracts. The card networks or payment service providers are responsible for enforcing these rules, not the ACCC.

So ACCC don't want to hear about it then.

Anyone know the best way to report merchants to Amex, eftpos, Mastercard or Visa in that case?

 

[lovestotravel]

So ACCC don't want to hear about it then.

Anyone know the best way to report merchants to Amex, eftpos, Mastercard or Visa in that case?

The ACCC never wants to deal with individual issues, same as when a business would charge a CC surcharge that was higher than what they were charged.

 

[Be.au]

https://www.ato.gov.au/media-centre/ato-to-stop-accepting-credit-cards-after-30-november-2026

But won't be charging a card payment fee in the meantime.

https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/paying-the-ato/how-to-pay/other-payment-details

Card payment fee
Card payment fees do not apply to payments.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Anyone know the best way to report merchants to Amex, eftpos, Mastercard or Visa in that case?

I thought Amex was excluded from this.

 

[Be.au]

I thought Amex was excluded from this.

Amex took the initiative themselves.

Been on the merchant page for a few months now;

Amex supports the Reserve Bank of Australia's recommendation to remove surcharging. We will update our Terms and Conditions for Amex Card Acceptance where required and we will implement these changes by 1 October 2026.
We will work closely with our Merchants and partners over the coming months to support a smooth transition.

Merchant Home Page | AMEX Australia

Whether you are looking to accept American Express or you are already a merchant, discover how we can help your business grow. Find out more today!

www.americanexpress.com

 

[LondonAussie]

The card issuers themselves are opposed to surcharges and their network rules don’t permit merchants to surcharge unless they are forced to allow it by local laws.

Until today, Australia basically banned the card issuers from banning surcharges.

The bigger change is actually the RBA simultaneously reducing the interchange fee caps.