Card networks can introduce no-surcharge rules from 1 October 2026.
For clinics, retailers and card-accepting businesses
Card surcharge rules are changing. What could that cost your business?
From 1 October 2026, Visa, Mastercard and eftpos networks can introduce no-surcharge rules for prepaid, debit and credit card payments. If those rules apply through your merchant contract, you may no longer be able to add a separate surcharge for those payments.
Estimate the card-processing costs your business may need to absorb or recover—then compare practical options across payment costs, pricing, deposits and client retention.
About two minutesProvider rates are indicativeAssumptions remain visible
Payment terminalConnected
Card payment
Purchase$200.00ApprovedPayment complete
Processing cost-1.6%
HMPAY
HostMetric
•••• •••• •••• 4628
Business cardHOSTMETRIC
Payment completedProcessing cost absorbed by the business
-1.6%Current surcharge rules continue to apply until any new network rules take effect.
Processing fees may need to be absorbed, reduced or recovered elsewhere.
EFTPOS surcharge calculator
Estimate the processing cost your business may need to recover.
Use an average week. The figures remain editable, and the result updates immediately.
01 · Your transaction profile
Start with four practical inputs.
Estimates are enough to establish the likely scale.
Provider fee research
Compare the fee structure—not just the headline rate.
Every provider from the original research is included. The figures below update to your calculator scenario, while filters and provider details keep the comparison readable.
Your selected setupTyro$1,667.00 / month
Lowest modelled setupCommBank$15,798 / year
Range across all setups$21,034annual difference
Filter provider type
Selected provider detail
Tyro
Terminal / in-person
Advertised percentage1.40%
Fixed monthly amount$29.00
Single-payment fee$0.00
Deposit + final fees$0.00
Cost per card client$2.85
Split-flow increment$0.00 / month
Model used1.40% of card revenue + $29/month
Research note
$29/month terminal rental.
| Provider | Fee structure | Best-fit use | Monthly | Annual | Effective rate | Vs lowest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CommBankLowest | 1.10% of card revenue + $29.50/month | Terminal / in-person | $1,316.50 | $15,798 | 1.13% | — |
| Live Payments - Online Green | 1.20% + $39/month | Online payment gateway | $1,443.00 | $17,316 | 1.23% | $1,518 |
| Zeller | 1.40% of card revenue + $16.58/month | Terminal / in-person | $1,654.58 | $19,855 | 1.41% | $4,057 |
| TyroSelected | 1.40% of card revenue + $29/month | Terminal / in-person | $1,667.00 | $20,004 | 1.42% | $4,206 |
| NAB | 1.50% of card revenue + $25/month | Terminal / in-person | $1,780.00 | $21,360 | 1.52% | $5,562 |
| Fresha (In-Person) | 1.29% + transaction fees | Booking + in-person payments | $1,820.52 | $21,846 | 1.56% | $6,048 |
| Square (In Person) | 1.60% of card revenue | Terminal / in-person | $1,872.00 | $22,464 | 1.60% | $6,666 |
| Phorest | 1.40% + transaction fee + GST + $30/month | Booking + terminal | $1,896.15 | $22,754 | 1.62% | $6,956 |
| Fresha (Online) | 1.59% + transaction fees | Booking + online payments | $2,089.62 | $25,075 | 1.79% | $9,277 |
| Timely Pay | 1.75% + transaction fees | Booking + online payments | $2,293.20 | $27,518 | 1.96% | $11,720 |
| Live Payments - Online Gold | 1.99% + $39/month | Online payment gateway | $2,367.30 | $28,408 | 2.02% | $12,610 |
| Square (Online) | 2.20% of card revenue | Online payments | $2,574.00 | $30,888 | 2.20% | $15,090 |
| Live Payments - Online Black | 2.59% + $39/month | Online payment gateway | $3,069.30 | $36,832 | 2.62% | $21,034 |
Indicative modelling only. Provider pricing can vary by card type, channel, transaction volume, negotiated agreement, hardware and GST treatment. Confirm current pricing and contract terms before changing provider.
Margin recovery options
The answer does not need to be one blunt price rise.
A practical response can combine payment savings, selective pricing, workflow changes and stronger client retention.
Recovery option 01
Reduce payment costs
Compare terminal rental, online rates, fixed transaction fees, deposits and the number of payment events.
Your current annual estimate$20,004A combined plan can address the gap progressively rather than through one large change.
HostMetric review
Find the gap. Decide what to change first.
HostMetric reviews your calculator scenario and identifies practical ways your business could recover the margin—without defaulting to one aggressive price rise.
Confirm the likely impact
Review transaction volume, payment mix and the assumptions behind the estimate.
Identify realistic recovery options
Assess provider costs, pricing, deposits, workflow, rebooking and follow-up.
Prioritise the next actions
Separate quick wins from larger operational changes.
Your next step
Get a practical plan to make the margin back.
Send us your calculator scenario. We will review the estimated processing cost and discuss practical options if your ability to add a separate surcharge changes.
Your current estimate$20,004
in estimated annual card-processing fees
Tyro90% card payments
Questions and assumptions
The detail, without crowding the decision.
Regulatory context and modelling assumptions are available here for visitors who need them.
Are card surcharges definitely ending on 1 October 2026?+
No. From 1 October 2026, Visa, Mastercard and eftpos card networks can introduce no-surcharge rules for prepaid, debit and credit card payments. Whether a business can continue adding a separate surcharge will depend on the relevant network rules and its merchant contract.
What surcharge rules apply before then?+
Businesses must continue following the current rules until any new rules take effect. A surcharge must not exceed the business’s cost of accepting that payment type, and the business must be able to substantiate the costs used.
Does the calculator predict my exact provider fees?+
No. It uses indicative assumptions to show the possible scale of the issue. Actual costs depend on provider pricing, card mix, payment channels, transaction volume and negotiated terms.
Do I need to change payment providers?+
Not necessarily. A provider change may reduce costs, but a practical plan can combine payment savings with measured changes to pricing, deposits, rebooking or client follow-up.
Why not increase every price?+
A general increase may recover the cost, but it can affect competitiveness and client perception. A considered plan identifies where smaller changes create the least friction.
Is this financial or legal advice?+
No. The calculator is a business-planning tool. Confirm provider pricing and seek appropriate financial or legal advice before changing pricing or payment practices.