EFTPOS machine costs and merchant fees in Australia: a plain guide

Part of Fees and rules by country. See the guides for every market we cover.

In Australia the card terminal is called an EFTPOS machine, whatever cards it takes. People search for the cost of one thousands of times a month, along with the fees, the providers and the difference between a merchant facility and a payment app. Behind those searches is a simple question: what will it cost me to take card payments, and am I paying too much?

This guide answers it in the order a business owner needs. It sets out the cost layers, the types of provider, the effect of the 2026 reforms and a method for comparing offers. Prices change often, so it teaches method rather than quoting rates that will go out of date.

What are the three costs of an EFTPOS setup?

The merchant service fee is the largest part for most businesses. It combines interchange (paid to the cardholder's bank), scheme fees (paid to the card network) and the provider's margin. See interchange fees explained for how the pieces fit together.

What types of provider are there?

Brand names change from year to year, so we describe the pricing structure rather than naming rates. Whatever the type, ask for the cost against your own statement.

What does an EFTPOS machine cost?

The terminal price depends on whether you buy, hire or finance, and on its features. Compare the three ways.

• Buying costs more up front and little afterwards, but a terminal may be locked to one provider.
• Hiring spreads the cost, often includes support, and continues for as long as you keep the machine.
• Financing can be on a separate agreement with a different company, which may continue even if you change provider. See double contracts.

Our guide to how much a card machine costs shows how to total these over the whole term. The principle is simple: compare the cost over the full contract, not the monthly price.

How does the cost change with sales?

Fixed monthly fees weigh more on small turnovers, and per-transaction fees weigh more on small sales. Take three illustrative offers for a business with a A$25 average sale.

• Offer A (pay-as-you-go): 1.60% per payment, no monthly fee.
• Offer B (blended with a monthly fee): 1.25% plus A$20.00 a month.
• Offer C (interchange plus): 0.75% plus 5 cents a payment (0.20% at A$25) plus A$30.00 a month, so 0.95% plus a monthly fee.

These are examples, not quotes.

At A$3,000 a month, the pay-as-you-go offer wins. By A$8,000 interchange plus is already cheapest. At A$50,000, interchange plus costs about 1.01% against 1.60%, which is a difference of A$295 a month, or A$3,540 a year. Our guide to flat rate versus interchange plus break-even shows how to find your own crossover.

How do the 2026 reforms affect your costs?

The Reserve Bank of Australia published its conclusions on 31 March 2026, and most changes started on 1 October 2026. Two matter most for EFTPOS merchants.

1. Surcharging is removed on the designated networks (eftpos, Mastercard and Visa), so you can no longer add a card fee at the till for those cards.
2. Interchange caps are lower, with reported cuts for consumer credit, debit and prepaid cards.

Whether the lower caps reduce your bill depends on your pricing model. On interchange plus you should see it directly. On blended or flat rates, ask your provider. Our guide on Australia's 2026 RBA changes has the detail.

How does least-cost routing work?

Many Australian debit cards can be processed over more than one network, for example eftpos and a Visa or Mastercard debit network. Least-cost routing (LCR) means the payment is sent over the cheaper network. The saving can be meaningful for a business with a lot of debit payments, because the networks charge different fees.

Questions to ask your provider:

• Is least-cost routing available on my account, and is it switched on?
• Does it apply to contactless payments as well as chip payments?
• Is there a charge for it, or is it included?
• Will my statement show the network each payment went through?

If your provider cannot tell you, it is worth asking in writing. Statements that show payments by network make it easier to check.

Which fees should you look for?

The hidden extras are the same everywhere. See hidden fees on a merchant statement for where they appear.

How do you compare providers properly?

1. Collect three months of statements. Note turnover, transactions and card mix.
2. Work out your all-in effective rate. See effective rate explained.
3. Get written quotes against your statement, from at least two providers.
4. Add the terminal and every monthly fee to each.
5. Check the exit cost of your current contract. See early termination fees.
6. Compare the effective rates and the terms.
7. Test the quote on your quietest month.

Surcharging and pricing after the change

Australian businesses that used to surcharge now have to decide how to recover card costs. The main choices are to absorb them, raise prices a little across the board or reduce the cost through a better provider and pricing model. Cash discounts and other approaches may be treated differently, so check the rules first. See surcharging, cash discounts and dual pricing.

For consultants

Australian merchants are in an unusual position. They have new rules, new costs and fresh questions. Anyone who can explain the effect on their own statement has an advantage. Start with the effective rate before and after 1 October 2026, then show what the pricing model passes on. The checkmyrates calculator works in AUD and splits interchange, scheme fees and margin.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an EFTPOS machine cost in Australia?

It depends on whether you buy, hire or finance, and the features. Add the terminal cost to the monthly fees and merchant service fees, and compare over the whole contract.

What are typical EFTPOS fees?

Fees include a merchant service fee on each payment, terminal hire, gateway or software fees and sometimes a minimum. The all-in effective rate on your own sales is the number to compare.

Can I still surcharge card payments in Australia?

From 1 October 2026, surcharging has been removed on the designated eftpos, Mastercard and Visa networks. Check the RBA's text and your provider for other cards.

What is least-cost routing?

Sending eligible debit payments over the cheaper of the networks the card supports. Ask your provider whether it is available and switched on.

What is a merchant facility?

A merchant facility is the agreement with a bank or acquirer that lets you accept card payments. It usually includes a merchant service fee and may include a terminal.

Will my fees go down after the 2026 changes?

On interchange plus pricing, usually yes. On blended or flat rates, only if your provider passes the saving on, so ask and compare your statements.

Figures in this guide are examples to show the method. Fees, rules and rates change, so check your own statement, contract and current rules before you decide. This is general information, not financial or legal advice.