Australia's card surcharge ban
From 1 October 2026, Australian businesses can no longer add a surcharge when you pay with an eftpos, Mastercard or Visa card, whether it is credit, debit or prepaid. American Express and UnionPay dropped surcharges on the same day and PayPal follows on 5 October. The ban does not cover weekend surcharges, public holiday surcharges, booking fees or service fees, so those can still appear on a restaurant bill.
What the ban covers
| Fee | Allowed after the ban? |
|---|---|
| eftpos, Mastercard, Visa card surcharge | No, from 1 October 2026 |
| American Express and UnionPay card surcharge | No, from 1 October 2026 |
| PayPal surcharge | No, from 5 October 2026 |
| Weekend (Saturday/Sunday) surcharge | Yes |
| Public holiday surcharge | Yes |
| Booking fee or service fee | Yes |
| Discount for paying cash | Yes |
Weekend surcharges still apply: check before you go
With card fees gone, Sunday and public holiday surcharges are now the main extras on a restaurant bill. See the average weekend surcharge by city, or look up a venue:
Common questions
When does the card surcharge ban start?
1 October 2026. PayPal's no-surcharge rule starts a few days later, on 5 October 2026.
Which cards does the ban cover?
Credit, debit and prepaid cards on eftpos, Mastercard and Visa. American Express and UnionPay have also removed surcharging from 1 October 2026, and PayPal from 5 October 2026.
Does the ban remove weekend or public holiday surcharges?
No. The ban only applies to surcharges added because you pay by card. Weekend surcharges, public holiday surcharges, booking fees and service fees are not affected.
Can a business still give a discount for paying cash?
Yes. Businesses can still offer a discount for particular payment methods, such as cash or bank transfer, as long as prices are displayed clearly.
What should I do if a venue still adds a card surcharge?
Ask the venue to remove it first: many payment terminals have had surcharging switched off by the provider. The ban is enforced through the card networks' rules with businesses, and the card networks' consumer guidance at cardsurcharge.com.au explains how to raise it.