Australia to Ban Card Surcharges: What Clinics Need to Know Before October 2026

A Major Change Is Coming to Card Payments in Australia

Australia is introducing a major reform to the way businesses handle card payments.

Based on recent announcements by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), card payment

surcharges are expected to be banned from 1 October 2026.

This means businesses may no longer be allowed to add extra fees at checkout when

customers pay by:

• Debit card

• Credit card

• EFTPOS

According to ABC News:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-31/rba-surcharges-debit-credit-new-reforms-october-2026/106500064

What Will No Longer Be Allowed?

Under the proposed changes:

• Adding a separate surcharge at checkout

• Charging customers extra based on payment method

• Displaying a lower price and adding fees later

In short:

The price you show must be the final price customers pay.

Are Payment Fees Going Away?

Not at all.

Payment providers like:

• Stripe

• EFTPOS terminals

will still charge processing fees.

However, these fees can no longer be applied as a separate surcharge at checkout.

According to ABC News, businesses are expected to incorporate these costs into their pricing rather than charging them separately.

What This Means for Clinics & Massage Businesses

For clinics, massage shops, and wellness centres, this change will have a direct impact:

No More Surcharge Option

If you currently apply:

• EFTPOS surcharge

• Card payment fees

These may need to be removed.

Pricing Strategy Will Change

Most businesses will need to:

• Adjust service prices

• Include processing costs in pricing

Profit Margins May Be Affected

Previously:

• Fees could be passed to customers

In the future:

• Businesses may need to absorb or redistribute these costs

How MPoints Will Support You

At MPoints, we are closely monitoring these regulatory changes.

We will:

• Review surcharge-related features

• Adjust system settings where necessary

• Provide guidance to help your business stay compliant

What You Should Do Now

You don’t need to make immediate changes yet, but we recommend:

• Reviewing your current surcharge settings

• Evaluating your pricing structure

• Planning how to include payment fees in your services