Our commitment to you
We’re committed to making this change painless for every VostroPay merchant. If something here doesn’t fit your situation, tell us; we’d rather hear from you early than have you guess.
From 1 October 2026, the Reserve Bank of Australia’s reforms remove card payment surcharges on EFTPOS, Mastercard and Visa transactions, with American Express following the RBA's decision voluntarily.
Below are the questions we’re hearing most from VostroPay merchants, with answers written from our point of view as your payments partner. If anything here doesn’t cover your situation, contact us.
1. What’s changing
What is the biggest change I need to be aware of?
From 1 October 2026, you can no longer add a card payment surcharge to EFTPOS, Mastercard, Visa and American Express transactions. The price your customer sees at checkout must include the cost of payment. The change applies to in-store, online and over-the-phone card payments equally.
Why is surcharging being removed?
The RBA found that surcharging was no longer doing the job it was designed for. With card use now dominant, surcharges had become harder to compare, harder to avoid, and a source of customer frustration. The reform shifts the focus from surcharges to clearer all-inclusive pricing.
Apart from the removal of surcharges, what else is changing on 1st October?
There will be a lowering of the interchange fees of card schemes, EFTPOS, Mastercard, Visa and American Express (industry-specific for American Express).
It means that if merchants are currently on the Interchange+ or Interchange++ pricing model, you will automatically receive this relief from the 1st October 2026.
For merchants on the Blended pricing model, we will share further updates with you as soon as more details are confirmed.
2. What’s not changing
Does the ban apply to weekend or public holiday surcharges?
No. The reform only applies to surcharges that recover card payment costs. Non-payment surcharges (such as a weekend or public holiday surcharge that recovers higher staff wages on penalty-rate days) are outside the scope of the RBA’s review. You can continue to apply these, subject to the usual Australian Consumer Law requirements around clear and accurate pricing.
Which card schemes are not affected by the surcharge ban on 1 October 2026?
The ban will not impact foreign card scheme, some of which are listed below, which covers both card-present and online transactions:
- UnionPay (UPI)
- Diners Club
- JCB
The above schemes can still be surcharged under existing rules and their own scheme agreements. The introduction of an interchange cap on foreign cards and some changes to payment cost transparency will come into effect later, on 1 April 2027. VostroPay will provide more details on this once information becomes available.
Does the surcharging ban apply to Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) transactions?
No. BNPL services (such as Afterpay, Zip, Klarna, and similar providers) are not designated card networks and fall outside the scope of the RBA's surcharging ban. The ban applies only to EFTPOS, Mastercard, Visa and American Express.
For now, merchants should continue to follow each BNPL provider's contractual terms regarding surcharging.
3. What you need to do
What should I do before 1 October 2026?
We recommend the following actions for your business:
- Review your current pricing and decide whether to absorb the cost of payments or adjust your prices.
- Remove any visible surcharge messaging from your point-of-sale, menus, website and signage prior to the deadline.
- Brief your front-line team so they can answer customer questions confidently.
Do I need to change anything about how I take payments?
No. Your VostroPay terminal, software and reporting all continue to work as they do today. You can continue accepting card present, card not present, online and cash payments; nothing to swap or reinstall.
Do I need to update my receipts or invoices?
Any line on a receipt or invoice that itemises a card payment surcharge will need to be removed before 1 October 2026. If your point-of-sale or accounting system is integrated with one of VostroPay's software partners, we will provide guidance on the specific settings to update.
Please contact your point-of-sale or software provider if they apply surcharges automatically to ensure surcharging is disabled by 1 October 2026.
4. Costs and pricing
How do I recover my card payment costs without surcharging?
The same way you recover other costs: by building them into your prices.
Will VostroPay pass on the interchange savings?
Yes , VostroPay will pass on the interchange savings to merchants.
Merchants currently on the Interchange+ or Interchange++ pricing model will automatically receive this relief from the 1st October 2026.
Whilst merchants on the Blended pricing model, as we are still waiting for VISA to confirm the updated interchange rates at this stage, we will share further updates with you as soon as more details are confirmed.
What is least-cost routing and should I be using it?
Least-cost routing automatically routes contactless debit transactions through the network that costs you the least, usually EFTPOS. If you’re on VostroPay and least-cost routing is appropriate for your business, it’s already enabled or available on request. Your account manager can confirm.
5. Your customers and team
What should my team say if a customer asks about the change?
“From 1 October 2026, EFTPOS, Mastercard, Visa and American Express card payment surcharges are being removed across Australia. It’s an RBA-led change to make checkout pricing clearer.”
“Our prices already include the cost of accepting cards, so you’ll pay the same whether you tap, insert or pay online.”
“If you’d prefer to pay another way, that’s still welcome; just let us know.”
Will the change affect tipping or split payments?
No. Tipping, split bills, group payments and other point-of-sale features continue exactly as they do today. The reform only changes whether a card payment surcharge can be added.
6. Compliance and what comes next
What happens if a merchant keeps surcharging after 1 October 2026?
The card networks (EFTPOS, Mastercard, Visa and American Express) will reinstate their no-surcharge rules under the reform. Continued surcharging would breach those rules and could attract enforcement action from the card networks and, if necessary, the federal government. The RBA has indicated legislation is on the table if voluntary compliance falls short.
Are more changes coming, and what about BNPL and mobile wallets?
Yes. The 1 October 2026 deadline only covers EFTPOS, Mastercard, Visa and American Express surcharges.
If you would like to understand more about the reform and potential changes to the cost of payments, please visit: https://www.rba.gov.au/media-releases/2026/mr-26-10.html
Where can I get more help?
Please submit a request here if you have more questions regarding the surcharge reform.