What’s been announced, what it could mean for your business, and how to stay ahead as payments evolve.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced proposed changes to card surcharging, with implementation expected from 1 October 2026.

Nothing changes today. Current surcharging rules remain in place, and businesses can continue operating as they do now.

With implementation expected from 1 October 2026, businesses have several months to understand the changes and consider what they could mean in practice.

What’s been announced?

The RBA has indicated the following changes:

• Card surcharges are expected to be removed for eftpos, Visa, and Mastercard payments

• Businesses would need to display a single total price instead of adding fees at checkout

In addition, the RBA has outlined:

• Potential reductions in interchange fees for some transactions

• Increased transparency in how payment costs are disclosed

What about American Express and international cards?

The proposed changes are focused on eftpos, Visa, and Mastercard.

At this stage, American Express and some international card schemes such as UnionPay are not explicitly included in the same way.

This means:

• The treatment of these card types may differ

• Further detail or clarification may be provided closer to implementation

Why this matters

For many businesses, surcharging has been one way to manage the cost of accepting card payments.

If surcharging is removed in the future, those costs would still exist. The difference is how they are accounted for within the business.

For some businesses, this may simply be a pricing adjustment. For others, it may prompt a closer look at how payments are structured and what value they are getting from their provider.

What this could mean for your business

At this stage, there is no required action. The changes are not yet in effect.

However, businesses may want to start considering a few areas.

1. Pricing considerations

Businesses may choose different approaches depending on their model and customers. This could include:

• Adjusting pricing

• Absorbing some costs

• Reviewing margins across products or services

2. Payment costs don’t disappear

Even if surcharging is removed, the cost of accepting payments still exists.

This makes it more important to understand:

• What you are paying today

• How those costs are structured

• What value you are receiving in return

3. Customer experience

Removing surcharges could result in:

• Simpler pricing for customers

• Fewer additional fees at checkout

• A more consistent payment experience

Turning payment costs into business value

As the payments landscape evolves, businesses may start to look beyond just cost and consider what additional value their payment provider can offer.

With Live Payments, eligible businesses can earn Qantas Business Rewards points on transactions, turning everyday payments into something more.

This means your payment volume could contribute to:

• Flights and upgrades

• Business travel

• Rewards that support your operations

At a time when payment costs may become less visible but still exist, having the ability to generate value from those transactions can be an important consideration.

Flexibility in how you manage payments

Not all payment providers are structured the same way.

Live Payments offers flexible plan options that allow businesses to:

• Choose how payment costs are managed

• Adapt as needs change

• Maintain visibility over different transaction types

This flexibility can become increasingly relevant as industry changes take effect and businesses review how they approach pricing and payments.

What you can do now

There is no immediate action required, but it may be useful to:

Review your current position

Understand your current fees and how surcharging contributes to cost recovery.

Consider future scenarios

Think about how your business might respond if surcharging is no longer available.

Stay informed

Further updates and guidance are expected as the implementation date approaches.

Will I still be able to earn Qantas Points?

Yes. If you are using an eligible Live Payments solution, you can continue to earn Qantas Business Rewards points on transactions, regardless of the proposed surcharging changes.

While the way payment costs are presented may evolve, the ability to earn points on business spend remains a valuable benefit for many businesses.