The October surcharge ban marks one of the biggest shifts Australia’s payments landscape has seen in years. For many businesses, this change won’t just affect how payments are processed, it will reshape pricing structures, margins, and the way merchants choose their payment partners. Preparing early is the key to staying compliant and protecting your bottom line.

Review your current pricing, rates, and provider

Before the ban takes effect, every business should take a close look at their existing setup. That starts with a pricing review to understand exactly what you’re paying today, and what will change once surcharging is no longer an option.

• Are you on a blended rate, a flat fee, or Interchange++ pricing?
• Does your current provider pass through savings when interchange drops?
• Are there hidden fees buried in your merchant statement?

Many businesses discover they’re paying more than they need to simply because their pricing model hasn’t been reviewed in years.

Understand your integrated solution (if you use one)

If your business uses an integrated POS or software‑driven checkout, it’s critical to understand how surcharging is currently enabled. In many cases, third‑party software controls the surcharge logic, not the payment terminal.

This means:

• Some integrations may automatically apply surcharges today
• Others may block or restrict changes
• You may need your software provider, not your payments provider, to update settings

Before October, speak with your integration partner to confirm how the surcharge ban will be handled. A system audit now can prevent compliance issues later.

Consider whether Interchange++ or a simple low‑fee rate is right for you

With surcharging removed, choosing the right pricing model becomes even more important.

Interchange++ pricing offers full transparency, you pay the true interchange fee, the scheme fee, plus a small, fixed margin. This model is ideal for businesses with:

• High debit card usage
• Lower‑risk transaction profiles
• A desire for clear, pass‑through pricing

On the other hand, some businesses prefer a simple low blended rate for predictability and ease of budgeting.

The right choice depends on your transaction mix, industry, and customer behaviour. A pricing comparison can help you decide.

Look for more value from your payments provider

With margins tightening, businesses should expect more from their payments partner than just card processing. The best providers now offer value‑added services that streamline operations and reduce costs across the business.

Look for a provider that can offer:

• POS solutions
• NBN and telco services
• Bookkeeping and business support
• Integrated reporting
• 24/7 support
• Flexible pricing options

Bundling services with one provider can simplify your tech stack, reduce admin, and often lower your total cost of ownership.

How PayNuts can help

At PayNuts, we’re helping businesses prepare for the October surcharge ban with transparent pricing, flexible options, and a suite of value‑added services designed to support your entire operation.

Whether you want to explore Interchange++, switch to a simple low‑fee rate, or bundle payments with POS, NBN, or bookkeeping, our team is here to help you navigate the changes with confidence.