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How to remove a card surcharge from your terminal

In short

This guide shows you the general steps to switch off card surcharging on your terminal and online checkout before the 1 October 2026 ban. Because every provider’s dashboard is different, it focuses on what to look for and the checks to run rather than menu-by-menu clicks. It also warns about the rename trap so you don’t accidentally keep a disguised surcharge.

Last updated: 30 June 2026

From 1 October 2026, surcharging eftpos, Mastercard and Visa is no longer allowed. The exact clicks differ by provider, so this guide covers the general process and the checks that matter. It’s general information, not financial or legal advice.

Step by step

  1. Log into your merchant portalSign in to your provider’s merchant portal or dashboard — the same place you view statements and settlements. If you have several terminals or locations, note that surcharge settings may apply per terminal or per account. Have your login and any second-factor handy before you start.
  2. Find the payment or surcharge settingsLook for a section labelled payments, fees, surcharging or checkout settings. This is usually where a surcharge percentage or fixed amount is configured. If you can’t locate it, your provider’s official help page or support team is the reliable source.
  3. Disable surcharging on eftpos, Mastercard and VisaSwitch off any surcharge applied to eftpos, Mastercard and Visa — covering debit, prepaid and credit. The exact steps vary by provider, so follow your provider’s official help documentation for your specific terminal model and portal. Don’t rely on a generic walkthrough, as the wrong setting can leave a surcharge live.
  4. Keep any compliant Amex or PayPal surcharge if you wishAmerican Express directly-issued cards and PayPal aren’t covered by the ban, so you may keep a surcharge on those as long as it stays within your cost of acceptance. If you do, make sure the setting targets only those payment types and not the covered cards. Many merchants simplify by removing all surcharges instead.
  5. Save and run a test transactionSave your changes, then run a small live test on each affected payment type to confirm no surcharge is added to eftpos, Mastercard or Visa. Check the receipt and your portal record. Repeat the test on each terminal and on your online checkout, since settings don’t always sync automatically.
  6. Update signage, menus and your online checkoutRemove any “card surcharge applies” notices from counters, menus, websites and invoices. Renaming a surcharge to something like an “admin fee” doesn’t make it compliant — a fee that only applies to card payments is still a surcharge, and the ACCC treats disguised surcharges as drip pricing or misleading conduct. Keep your messaging clean and accurate.

Source: RBA Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging — Conclusions Paper (March 2026).

This guide is general information only and is not legal or financial advice. Rates are indicative; the RBA sets the final rules and timing — confirm current details at rba.gov.au.
Common questions
Questions, answered
How do I turn off a surcharge on my card machine?
You disable it in your provider’s merchant portal or dashboard, usually under payment or surcharge settings, then run a test transaction to confirm. The exact steps vary by provider, so follow their official help page for your specific terminal.
Can I just rename my surcharge to an admin fee?
No. A fee that only applies to card payments is still a surcharge whatever you call it, and the ACCC treats disguised surcharges as drip pricing or misleading conduct.
Do I have to remove surcharges on Amex and PayPal too?
No. American Express directly-issued cards and PayPal aren’t covered by the ban, so you can keep a surcharge on those within your cost of acceptance if you choose.
Keep reading
How to prepare your business for the surcharge ban (checklist) →How to absorb card fees without raising your prices →Can I call it an admin fee or service fee instead? →What cards are covered by the surcharge ban? →Surcharge ban explained →All guides →
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