⚠ RBA Surcharge Ban from 1 October 2026: Your merchant service fee comes off your margin — not your customers'.

How Much Is Card Processing
Actually Costing Your Business?

Most Australian merchants know their percentage rate — but don't know their true total cost. Terminal rental, PCI fees, monthly fees and chargeback costs all add up. Here's the full picture.

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The Full Picture
The Components of Your Payment Cost
Your merchant service fee is only part of what you're actually paying. Here's everything that makes up your true cost.
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Merchant Service Fee (MSF)

The % rate charged per transaction. This is what most merchants focus on. Typical range: 0.85–2.5% depending on provider and volume. Negotiated providers are at the lower end; flat-rate providers sit at 1.4–1.6%.

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Terminal / Hardware Fee

Some providers charge monthly rental ($29–$49/mth). Others sell hardware outright. "Free" terminals often come with higher rates — always factor hardware cost into your total comparison.

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PCI Compliance Fee

Many providers charge $10–$25/month for PCI DSS compliance. Sometimes buried in statements as a "security fee" or "compliance fee." Some providers include it in the rate — always check.

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Monthly Account Fee

Base account / merchant facility fee. Ranges from $0 to $30/month depending on provider and account tier. Adds $0–$360 per year on top of your transaction costs.

Side by Side
What You're Really Paying Per Year
At $100,000/month card volume — all fees included.
Provider MSF Rate Terminal (annual) PCI (annual) Monthly Fee (annual) Annual True Cost
Square 1.60% $0 $0 $0 $19,200
Tyro 1.50% $480 $180 $0 $18,660
Zeller 1.40% $0 $0 $0 $16,800
UrPay Recommended 1.20% $0 $0 $0 $14,400
Saving vs Square $4,800 / yr

Rates shown are indicative. Actual rates depend on volume, card mix, and negotiation. Tyro terminal rental estimated at $40/mth × 12. Tyro PCI fee $15/mth × 12.

RBA Surcharge Ban

From 1 October 2026, Every Cent of Your Merchant Fee Comes Off Your Margin

Card surcharges are being banned in Australia. You can no longer pass your card processing cost on to your customers. At $100K/month, the difference between 1.6% and 1.2% is $4,800 per year coming straight off your bottom line.

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Fee Calculator

Calculate Your True Payment Cost

Move the slider to your monthly card volume, enter your current rate, and see your annual saving.
Current Annual Cost
$9,600
at your rate
UrPay Estimate
$7,200
blended ~1.2%
Annual Saving
$2,400
potential saving

MSF cost only. Saving is indicative — actual rate depends on volume and card mix. Request a quote for a precise comparison.

Your Statement
Understanding What You're Paying
How to decode your merchant statement and spot what you're actually being charged.
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Find your true rate

On your merchant statement, look for "effective rate," "blended rate," or divide total fees charged by total card volume processed. This is your actual rate — not the advertised headline rate.

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Interchange plus vs flat vs blended

Interchange plus: you pay interchange (card scheme cost) plus a fixed margin — transparent but complex. Flat rate: one rate for all cards. Blended: negotiated based on your card mix — usually cheapest for volume merchants.

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Red flags to look for

  • PCI non-compliance fees ($25–$50/mth) — means you haven't completed a PCI self-assessment
  • Monthly minimum fees — you're charged a minimum even in slow months
  • Unexplained "service fees" or "network fees" separate from the stated rate
  • Different rates for different card types that weren't disclosed upfront
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a merchant service fee in Australia?
The merchant service fee (MSF) is the percentage of each card transaction charged by your payment provider. It covers interchange fees paid to card schemes plus the provider's margin. Typical range: 0.85–2.5%.
What's the difference between a flat rate and a blended rate?
A flat rate (Square 1.6%, Zeller 1.4%) charges the same % on every card type. A blended rate is negotiated based on your card mix — if you mostly accept low-cost debit cards, a blended rate is usually cheaper.
Are terminal rental fees included in the merchant rate?
No. Terminal/hardware fees are separate from the transaction rate. Always add them when comparing providers.
What is a PCI compliance fee?
Payment Card Industry (PCI) DSS compliance is a security standard all merchants must meet. Some providers charge a monthly fee ($10–$25) for this separately. Others include it in the rate.
How do I calculate my true annual payment cost?
(Monthly card volume × rate %) × 12 + (terminal rental per month × 12) + (PCI fee × 12) + (monthly account fee × 12). Get this number before comparing providers.
What is the cheapest way to accept card payments in Australia?
For merchants processing over $20K/month, a negotiated blended rate from a provider like UrPay typically beats flat-rate providers. For lower volumes, flat-rate providers (Zeller 1.4%) are simpler.

Get a True Cost Comparison

Tell us your monthly volume and we'll show you your full annual cost across providers.

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