RBA Card Surcharge Changes

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) confirmed on 31 March 2026 that card surcharging on eftpos, Mastercard, and Visa debit, prepaid and credit cards will be removed from 1 October 2026.

This page keeps on top of what’s been announced, Lightspeed’s position and our recommendations* for your business.

What’s been announced

On 31 March 2026, the RBA confirmed it will remove surcharges on card payments, including EFTPOS, Visa and Mastercard with effect from 1 October 2026. Alongside this, they will also:

  • From October 2026, lower interchange fees for domestic-issued transactions and consumer credit cards (0.16% for debit and 0.3% for credit)
  • From April 2027, introduce a cap on interchange fees for foreign-issued cards
  • Ensure increased pricing transparency across card networks

Lightspeed's approach

There’s nothing you need to do today. Your current setup will continue to work as normal.

As more detail becomes available, we’ll share clear updates and guidance to help you understand any changes and what they mean for your business.

Resources

Can I still apply a surcharge?

Yes. You can continue to apply a surcharge under the current rules. The proposed changes do not come into effect until October 1st 2026.

When will the changes come into effect?

The RBA has formally announced these reforms, with the main surcharge changes expected from October 1, 2026.

Is Amex included?

American Express, Discover, China Union Pay, closed-loop networks, mobile wallets (Apple and Google Pay), BNPL, and e-commerce platforms will be reviewed by the RBA beginning in June 2026.

What is Lightspeed doing about this?

As more detail becomes available, we’ll share clear updates and guidance to help you understand any changes and what they mean for your business.

  1. Lightspeed does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This post has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice.