Are you paying too much in eftpos fees? New calculator helps small businesses compare costs
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Posted By - Court Sayer-Roberts
20 September, 2026
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Australian small businesses are being encouraged to review their card payment costs ahead of major changes to card surcharging from 1 October 2026.
Under the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) reforms, businesses will no longer be permitted to add surcharges to EFTPOS, Mastercard and Visa card transactions. While surcharging will end, businesses will continue to incur fees for accepting card payments.
To help small businesses better understand these expenses, we've developed a free eftpos Cost Comparison Calculator, allowing operators to explore their transaction costs and compare payment fees.
With card payments accounting for a significant share of everyday transactions, even small differences in merchant fees can add up over time.
The RBA's reforms also include reductions to interchange fee caps and measures to improve fee transparency. However, the impact on individual businesses will depend on their payment provider and merchant arrangements.
Why it matters: Businesses that currently apply card surcharges may need to change systems and customer-facing information before the new rules take effect. Understanding transaction fees can also help operators identify potential savings and review their payment arrangements.
Who is affected: Small businesses accepting card payments, particularly retailers, hospitality venues, service providers, trades, health providers, tourism operators and online sellers.
