Australia Aligns With Global Travel Trends As Card Surcharge Rules End On 1 October 2026

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Australia is introducing an important change to its payment system that could affect international tourists, including travellers from Thailand, who plan to shop, dine and use services across the country. From 1 October 2026, major card networks will introduce rules preventing businesses from applying additional surcharges to eligible card payments. The change covers eftpos, Mastercard, Visa and American Express, offering customers a clearer payment experience when using credit, debit or prepaid cards. The reform follows the Reserve Bank of Australia’s review of merchant card payment costs and surcharging arrangements, which concluded that the existing system had become increasingly complex for consumers and businesses.

For travellers preparing an Australian holiday, the development is particularly relevant when budgeting for restaurants, retail purchases, accommodation-related payments and everyday expenses. However, the removal of card surcharges does not mean that every additional fee will disappear. Weekend and public holiday surcharges in the hospitality sector, booking fees and service charges are not automatically removed by these changes. Travellers should therefore continue checking the final price before completing a transaction, while recognising that a separate card payment surcharge should no longer be applied under the relevant network rules from the effective date.

What Australia’s New Card Payment Rules Mean For International Travellers

The upcoming changes form part of a wider reform of Australia’s retail payments system. The Reserve Bank of Australia has decided to remove the prohibition on card networks introducing no-surcharge rules, allowing the designated networks to prevent merchants from charging customers extra for card payments. Visa, Mastercard and eftpos have announced no-surcharge rules from 1 October 2026, while American Express has also announced its intention to remove surcharging on the same date.

The reform is significant because card payments are widely used by international visitors for everyday travel expenses. Tourists may use cards at cafés, supermarkets, department stores, attractions and transport-related businesses. Previously, a payment terminal could add a surcharge depending on the card network, payment type and merchant’s arrangements. Once the new rules take effect, eligible card payments will no longer attract a separate card surcharge under the applicable network requirements.

The Reserve Bank of Australia explains that PayPal’s no-surcharge rule is scheduled for 5 October 2026, while the announced rules for the other listed networks begin on 1 October. Network rules and any applicable exceptions should be checked because the arrangements are established by the individual payment networks and their merchant agreements.

How The Change Could Affect Australia Holiday Budgets

For tourists, the principal benefit of the reform is greater predictability when making card payments. A traveller who sees a displayed price for a meal, retail product or service should not face an additional card payment surcharge under the new rules. This may simplify expense planning, particularly for visitors who rely on cards rather than carrying substantial amounts of cash.

For example, a tourist purchasing goods priced at A$50 would no longer be charged a separate card surcharge where the transaction falls within the applicable no-surcharge rules. The removal of that additional payment charge could make it easier to compare prices and manage spending during a holiday.

However, the reform does not guarantee that businesses will keep all advertised prices unchanged. The Reserve Bank has recognised that businesses may review their pricing structures after surcharges are removed. Some merchants may incorporate payment-related costs into their general prices, meaning the overall price of a product or service could still vary between businesses.

Travellers should also distinguish between card surcharges and fees unrelated to the payment method. A restaurant’s weekend surcharge, a public holiday surcharge or a booking fee may remain applicable if properly disclosed and permitted under relevant rules. The new policy is focused on additional charges imposed because a customer pays by card, rather than removing all possible fees associated with travel services.

What Thai Tourists Should Know Before Visiting Australia

The change could be useful for Thai visitors travelling to popular destinations such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and the Gold Coast. Tourists frequently use cards for meals, shopping, attraction tickets and other travel-related transactions, making payment policies an important consideration when preparing a holiday budget.

International visitors should nevertheless review the terms of their own bank cards. Although Australian merchants may no longer apply a separate card payment surcharge under the new network rules, the card issuer in the traveller’s home country may charge foreign transaction fees, currency conversion fees or other charges. These fees are separate from the surcharge applied by an Australian merchant and are not eliminated by Australia’s reforms.

Travellers should also consider the exchange rate used by their card issuer and check whether a payment terminal offers a choice between Australian dollars and the cardholder’s home currency. Understanding these options can help visitors make informed payment decisions.

The new Australian rules generally apply to eligible card payments, including internationally issued cards on the relevant networks. However, visitors should confirm any specific limitations with their card provider and check the merchant’s final receipt if they believe an incorrect fee has been applied.

Australian Businesses Prepare For The Surcharge Changes

The reform also introduces operational responsibilities for businesses across Australia’s retail, hospitality and service sectors. Merchants that currently apply card surcharges need to review their payment systems, pricing arrangements and customer communications before the new rules take effect.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman recommends that businesses check their EFTPOS terminals, point-of-sale systems, invoicing software and online payment platforms. Merchants should also contact their payment service providers to understand how surcharge functionality will be removed and whether any technical changes are required.

Businesses may need to update menus, websites, invoices and other customer-facing materials that refer to card payment surcharges. Staff training is also relevant because employees should be able to explain the change accurately to customers.

The transition is designed to make card payments simpler, but implementation may depend on the payment network, merchant agreement and service provider. Businesses should therefore follow official guidance and instructions from their payment partners rather than assuming that every payment system will operate identically.

Card Surcharges And Other Fees Travellers Must Still Consider

Although the upcoming changes are relevant to international visitors, tourists should not interpret them as a complete removal of additional charges in Australia’s travel and hospitality industries.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission states that the new arrangements apply to card payment surcharges and do not automatically remove weekend surcharges, public holiday surcharges, booking fees or service fees. Businesses must continue to follow the relevant rules for these charges.

This distinction is especially important for travellers planning restaurant visits, hotel bookings and organised activities. A final bill may contain charges unrelated to the method of payment. Visitors should review pricing information and ask businesses for clarification when necessary.

The reforms also do not remove fees that a traveller’s bank or card issuer may charge. Foreign exchange costs, international transaction fees and other account-specific charges depend on the terms of the card used.

Why Australia’s Payment Reform Matters For Tourism

The removal of card surcharges represents a change in how Australian businesses and consumers manage payment costs. The Reserve Bank of Australia stated that the existing surcharge framework had become complex and was no longer achieving its intended purpose effectively. Its reform package also includes changes to interchange fees and greater transparency regarding payment costs.

For the tourism industry, transparent payment arrangements can help visitors understand the price they are being asked to pay. This is particularly relevant in a market where international travellers may already be managing currency conversion, transport expenses and differences in local pricing practices.

The effect on individual businesses and consumers may vary. Merchants will need to adjust to the new rules, while card issuers and payment providers will continue to operate according to their own commercial arrangements. Consequently, tourists should view the surcharge reform as one part of their wider travel budget rather than as a guarantee that all payment-related costs will disappear.

What Travellers Should Check Before Paying By Card

Visitors travelling to Australia after 1 October 2026 should check the displayed price, review the payment terminal and retain receipts for significant purchases. If an additional charge appears to be connected specifically to card use, the customer can ask the business for an explanation and seek guidance from the relevant payment provider or consumer protection authority.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission provides information about card surcharge rules, while the Reserve Bank of Australia publishes details concerning the broader payment reforms. These resources can help consumers and businesses understand the distinction between card surcharges and other types of fees.

For Thai travellers, the most practical approach is to combine the new Australian payment information with a review of their own bank’s overseas transaction terms. This can help create a more realistic holiday budget and reduce confusion when paying for goods and services.

Frequently Asked Questions About Australia’s Card Surcharge Changes

1. When will Australia remove card payment surcharges?

The announced no-surcharge rules for eftpos, Mastercard, Visa and American Express begin on 1 October 2026.

2. Will Thai tourists benefit from the changes?

Yes. Visitors using eligible cards should not face a separate card payment surcharge under the applicable network rules.

3. Does the reform cover Mastercard and Visa?

Yes. Mastercard and Visa have announced no-surcharge rules from 1 October 2026.

4. Does American Express also remove surcharges?

American Express has announced that it will remove surcharging from 1 October 2026.

5. Will all additional fees in Australian restaurants disappear?

No. Weekend surcharges, public holiday surcharges and other permitted fees are not automatically removed.

6. Can Australian businesses increase their prices?

Businesses may review their pricing after surcharge removal. Prices may vary depending on their commercial decisions and operating costs.

7. Will foreign-issued cards be covered?

The announced rules generally include internationally issued cards on the relevant networks, subject to applicable network arrangements.

8. Will Thai banks still charge foreign transaction fees?

Potentially. Fees imposed by a Thai card issuer are separate from merchant card payment surcharges in Australia.

9. What should businesses do before October 2026?

Businesses should review payment systems, pricing, customer information and instructions from their payment service providers.

10. Where can travellers find official information?

The Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission publish guidance on card payment surcharges and related reforms.