Card surcharges changed on 1 October 2026: what should you check?

Start with the rule now in effect

From 1 October 2026, the Reserve Bank of Australia decision removed surcharging on designated eftpos, Mastercard and Visa debit, prepaid and credit card networks. The ACCC says American Express also introduced a no-surcharge rule from that date. At a checkout, identify the network and ask the merchant to name any separate fee.

The ACCC explains that these are network rules reflected in merchant contracts and enforced by card networks or payment service providers. This guide is educational, has no commission links and does not decide whether an individual merchant has breached a contract or law.

Source: Reserve Bank of Australia — Merchant card payment costs and surcharging conclusions · Australian Competition and Consumer Commission — Card surcharges

Use the old calculation only for a pre-October receipt

For a transaction dated on or before 30 September 2026, the existing worked example still reconciles the historical receipt: A$240 at a 1.25% card surcharge produced A$3.00, while a hypothetical usable reward value of 0.8% produced A$1.92, leaving A$1.08. Those assumptions are not current market averages.

For a covered card transaction on or after 1 October, this rewards-versus-surcharge calculation is no longer the test for whether the network surcharge should appear. Instead, identify the network, fee label and transaction date. Card interest or account fees remain separate costs.

Compare the advertised and final total

The ACCC says the new rules stop covered card surcharges, but a business may still set its overall prices. Save the advertised price, checkout total, payment method and receipt when a new line appears. Ask whether it is a card surcharge or another named charge.

The ACCC accepts reports but does not resolve individual disputes. Documentation helps a payment provider or other relevant body understand the transaction; this checklist does not promise a refund or legal outcome.

Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission — Card surcharges

Know what the change covers

The RBA decision covers designated eftpos, Mastercard and Visa debit, prepaid and credit cards from 1 October. The ACCC guidance adds American Express under its own no-surcharge rule. Confirm the network shown on the card or digital wallet receipt rather than assuming every payment method is identical.

Do not relabel every checkout charge as a card surcharge. Ask what service produced the charge and compare the response with the current ACCC guidance.

Source: Reserve Bank of Australia — Merchant card payment costs and surcharging conclusions · Australian Competition and Consumer Commission — Card surcharges

Keep distinct fees distinct

The ACCC says weekend and public-holiday surcharges can continue, as can distinct booking, delivery or service fees under their existing price-display rules. A business may also incorporate payment acceptance costs into its overall prices instead of adding a separate card surcharge.

That is the counterexample to an “all fees ended” headline. A higher base price or a clearly described delivery fee is not automatically a prohibited card surcharge, while a fee triggered specifically by a covered card payment needs closer checking.

Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission — Card surcharges

Use a post-change checkout checklist

Record the transaction date, advertised price, final total, payment network and exact fee label. If a covered-card surcharge appears, keep the receipt and contact the merchant or payment provider through an official channel; consult the current ACCC page before reporting it.

The immediate next step is to inspect one receipt dated on or after 1 October and verify that every difference from the advertised price has a clear description.

Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission — Card surcharges · Reserve Bank of Australia — Merchant card payment costs and surcharging conclusions

Changes to this guide

22 September 2026: First publication with a dated transition guide, primary-source cross-check, calculation review and network originality screening.

1 October 2026: Rewritten for the rule now in effect; historical calculation retained only for pre-October receipts and current exceptions rechecked.