Card Payment Surcharges Banned in Australia from 2026

[HMcM]

I don't drink coffee so couldn't care less but you shouldn't go and use such places in other countries then where the cost is the same regardless of the day.

It's a hypothetical situation, I don't drink coffee either. But if you want to have weekend penalty rate to stay then socialising the cost over the whole week does make the Tuesday coffee drinker pay for part of the Sunday coffee drinker's coffee. As for other countries most have nowhere near the penalty rate structure that we do. Where are you talking about that has to pay massive weekend penalty rates but doesn't surcharge?

You are still confusing a surcharge with the cost of doing business. Penalty rates are known in advance, before a business even commences operation, so they don't need to appear as a surcharge. They should be baked into the business model from day one. In such places, you would have no idea whether your Tuesday coffee is subsidising your Sunday coffee.

I mean this is just where we disagree, I would know because I understand how penalty rates work. Hiding the cost by socialising it doesn't make the cost go away, it just forces cheaper customers to pay more for the benefit of more expensive customers. I don't think that's a moral thing to do. But tell me, if the Tuesday customer can afford to and is willing to pay more to subsidise the Sunday customer, why does the business not simply charge them more in the first place and pocket the profit? Better yet charge the Tuesday customer more and then close on a weekend to avoid paying penalty rates.

 

[Pushka]

South Australia has quite significant and wide covering penalty rates. Consequently many small or family businesses close on those days or operate under restricted hours.

 

[serfty]

In relation to the surcharge changes the RBA has stated the following:

They do not apply to weekend surcharges, public holiday surcharges, or booking fees or service fees.

The ACCC states the following:

Although this [Weekend and public holiday} surcharge is unavoidable, they don't need to include this charge in the total price displayed for their products, as an exemption under the law applies to them.

However, if they charge such a surcharge, they must include these words on the menu:

A surcharge of [percentage] applies on [day or days].

These words must be at least as prominent as the most prominent price on the menu.

If a business decides to roll up all surcharges into a single advertised price and charge the same every day of the week, it is up to them. Market forces will kick in.

For example if there are two competing stores with one store (A) having surcharge free prices on a Wednesday but adding surcharges on a Sunday and the other store (B) having a flat rate which is more than the prices of store (A) on a Wednesday but less than store (A)'s nett cost on a Sunday, the day of the week may determine which store customers might buy from.

Frequently Asked Questions – Removal of Card Payment Surcharges From 1 October 2026

Frequently asked questions about Card Payments Regulation

www.rba.gov.au

Price displays

Businesses must display clear and accurate prices, and must not mislead consumers about their prices. There are specific laws about how businesses must display their prices.

www.accc.gov.au

 

[Saab34]

How are the airlines recouping the loss? I see Jetstar has increased seat fees and now has higher fees for aisle seats.

 

[Mr_Orange]

In relation to the surcharge changes the RBA has stated the following:

They do not apply to weekend surcharges, public holiday surcharges, or booking fees or service fees.

Urghhh, so let's sit back and watch the explosion of service fees!!!