Surcharge ban / Calculator

How much should I lift my prices?

If you surcharged card payments before 1 October 2026, that fee is now yours. Enter your own figures to see what card fees cost you each month and the price rise that would recover them.

Your inputs only; no provider fee is assumed. General information, not financial advice.

How it works

Fees you absorb each month = monthly sales x share paid by card x your fee rate. The price rise that recovers them is r / (1 - r), where r is your fee rate times the share paid by card. The division matters: the fee is also charged on the extra you add.

Worked examples

Price rise that recovers card fees, by fee rate and share of sales paid by card. Illustrative inputs, not provider fees.
Your card fee	100% paid by card	80% paid by card	50% paid by card
0.5%	0.50%	0.40%	0.25%
1%	1.01%	0.81%	0.50%
1.5%	1.52%	1.21%	0.76%
2%	2.04%	1.63%	1.01%

0.5%

100% paid by card: 0.50%
80% paid by card: 0.40%
50% paid by card: 0.25%

1%

100% paid by card: 1.01%
80% paid by card: 0.81%
50% paid by card: 0.50%

1.5%

100% paid by card: 1.52%
80% paid by card: 1.21%
50% paid by card: 0.76%

2%

100% paid by card: 2.04%
80% paid by card: 1.63%
50% paid by card: 1.01%

Check your rate fell first. On the same day surcharging ended, the RBA cut the interchange caps on Australian consumer credit cards to 0.3% and on debit to 8c, or 0.16%. If your provider passed that on, your rate may already be lower than last quarter. RBA See the surcharge ban explained.

Before you change your prices

Remove surcharge wording from menus, invoices and checkout, unless it is a weekend or public holiday surcharge. Ombudsman
Do not mislead customers about why prices went up. Ombudsman
You can still offer a discount for a payment method you prefer, such as cash. RBA FAQs

Common questions

Why is the price rise slightly more than my fee rate?

Because the fee is charged on the new, higher price too. To keep the same amount after a 1% fee you need 1 / (1 - 0.01) - 1 = 1.01% more, not 1%. The gap grows with higher fees.

Where do I find my card fee rate?

On your merchant statement from your payment provider: total card fees for the month divided by total card sales. From the first full statement period starting on or after 1 April 2027, statements must show more detail, per the RBA.

Does this include fixed fees and GST?

No. It covers the percentage fee only. Terminal rental, monthly account fees and per-transaction cents are not included, and it ignores tax. For pricing decisions specific to your business, talk to your accountant.

Should I raise prices or absorb the fee?

That depends on your margins and your competitors. If your fees fell with the 1 October interchange cuts, part of the gap may already be covered. If you do raise prices, do not mislead customers about the reason.