RBA Confirmed: Card surcharges will be banned from 1 October 2026 — check you're on the right rate →

RBA 2026  /  Will my fees change?

Will my merchant fees change in 2026?

It is the question every business owner asks about the 2026 reforms, and the honest answer has two halves. The surcharge change is about who pays the card cost at the checkout: from 1 October 2026 you can no longer pass the cost of eftpos, Mastercard and Visa to customers via a surcharge, so it sits with you. Separately, the RBA is cutting interchange fees, which should reduce the underlying cost of acceptance — especially for small businesses.

Put together, even if your headline rate barely moves, its impact on your margin changes the moment surcharging is removed. And there is genuine scope for the cost itself to fall. This page separates what is changing from what is not, so you can plan clearly. For the official detail, refer to the RBA at rba.gov.au.

What the surcharge change does

The surcharge reform changes how the card cost is recovered, not whether the cost exists. Today a business can add a small percentage at the checkout so the customer covers the card fee. From 1 October 2026, for eftpos, Mastercard and Visa, that surcharge is removed, so the cost stays with the business unless it is built into headline prices.

Note what is unchanged: American Express and PayPal are not covered, so you can still surcharge those within your cost of acceptance. But for the everyday networks most customers use, the card fee simply becomes a cost you carry — which is exactly why your blended rate becomes so important.

What is set to lower your costs

This is the genuinely good news. The RBA is reducing the caps on domestic debit and credit interchange fees from 1 October 2026, and on foreign-issued cards from 1 April 2027. Interchange is a core component of merchant service fees, so lower caps are expected to make accepting cards cheaper — the RBA has pointed to small businesses as likely beneficiaries.

Alongside this, card networks and large providers will be required to publish their fees, making it easier to compare and switch. The RBA estimates the overall package could save consumers and businesses up to around $1.8 billion a year. The effect on any single business varies by card mix and provider, so treat lower fees as likely rather than guaranteed, and let your own statements be the source of truth.

Why your blended rate matters more than ever

Put the two halves together. Whether or not your headline fee moves, removing the surcharge means that fee now comes straight off your margin on every eftpos, Mastercard and Visa sale. A business on a sharp rate barely notices; a business on a high rate feels every basis point.

That is the real opportunity in 2026: with surcharging gone, interchange falling and fees becoming more transparent, it is the ideal moment to make sure you are not overpaying. Our calculator turns your rate into an estimated annual cost, and a free comparison shows exactly where you stand.

This page is general information only and is not legal or financial advice. The RBA sets the final rules and timing — confirm current details at rba.gov.au.
Common questions
Your questions, answered
Will my merchant fees go up because of the surcharge ban?
The surcharge change itself is about who pays the card cost, not raising your underlying fee. From 1 October 2026 you can no longer pass the cost of eftpos, Mastercard and Visa to customers via a surcharge, so it sits with you. Separately, the RBA is cutting interchange, which may lower the cost — your own statements are the best guide.
Could my fees actually go down?
Yes, that is a real possibility. The RBA is lowering domestic interchange caps from 1 October 2026 and foreign-card caps from 1 April 2027, and interchange is a core part of merchant fees. The RBA has highlighted small businesses as likely beneficiaries, and the package is estimated to save up to ~$1.8 billion a year. The effect varies by business, so compare your actual rate.
Can I still surcharge any payments after the change?
Yes — American Express and PayPal are not covered by the removal, so you can still surcharge those up to your cost of acceptance. Surcharging eftpos, Mastercard and Visa ends from 1 October 2026, and you cannot disguise a card surcharge as an admin or service fee under the Australian Consumer Law.
What's the smartest thing to do about my fees?
Know your blended rate and compare it. Because the card fee becomes a direct cost once surcharging is removed — and because interchange cuts and new fee-transparency rules make a better rate easier to find — even a small reduction flows straight to your bottom line. Use our calculator, then get a free comparison. We can't guarantee savings, but you can't manage what you haven't measured.
Related reading
The surcharge ban explained →Estimate your saving →Merchant fees by industry →All RBA 2026 guides →

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