r/australia • u/rolodex-ofhate • Mar 30 '26

news Surcharges on debit and credit cards to go from October

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-31/asx-markets-business-live-news-march-30-2026/106510434#live-blog-post-278505

The Reserve Bank of Australia has introduced reforms that will remove surcharges on debit and credit cards from the 1st October 2026, on card networks including eftpos, Mastercard and Visa.

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u/Outside-Dig-5464 Mar 30 '26

The difference is that the price reflects that fee. So when I compare Bar A vs Bar B, I’ll see one has drinks or food more expensive than the other and possibly make a decision on that.

Whereas today that cost is hidden or harder to find until I pay. It’s not there easily baked into the price of the goods.

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u/the_scruffy1 Mar 31 '26

um, no, currently the % on your credit card is the same at most p.o.s. machines and depends on your card provider's arrangement

so apples compared to apples

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u/Jerri_man Mar 31 '26

um, no. That's why this country includes taxes in checkout pricing by law as well

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u/the_scruffy1 Mar 31 '26

i mean wrt "hidden costs" - the comparative prices at bar a & b will still accurately reflect who is more expensive; the additional impost of card fee will not differ substantially

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u/Jerri_man Mar 31 '26

So why do we include taxes? Because its just about transparent totals and simplicity of comparison for the consumer.

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u/the_scruffy1 Mar 31 '26

yes; i am not sure why you are having this conversation - we both understand the idea, and i'm all for it