Card Surcharges Are Changing from 1 October 2026 – Is Your Practice Ready?
From 1 October 2026, eftpos, Mastercard and Visa will introduce no-surcharge rules in Australia, meaning businesses will generally no longer be able to add a separate surcharge when customers pay using these cards. Other major payment networks have also announced similar changes.
For dental practices that currently add a percentage or fixed fee for card payments, now is the time to review your payment systems and patient information.
Importantly, your practice may still be charged merchant service fees by your bank or payment provider. Those costs do not disappear — the change is that they generally cannot be passed directly to the patient as a separate card surcharge.
Practice Manager Checklist
Before 1 October:
☐ Check whether your practice currently applies a card surcharge.
☐ Confirm with your bank or payment provider how the change will be implemented.
☐ Check whether surcharge settings on EFTPOS terminals will be automatically disabled.
☐ Review online payment links, portals and payment systems.
☐ Check your practice management software for automatic card fees.
☐ Remove signage that states a card surcharge applies.
☐ Update financial policies and payment information.
☐ Check treatment plans, quotes and patient communications for references to card surcharges.
☐ Brief reception and management staff so they can confidently explain the change.
☐ Review your current merchant fees and compare providers if appropriate.
What about other fees?
The change is aimed at fees charged because a patient chooses to pay by card.
Other genuine fees, such as booking or service fees, are not automatically prohibited simply because the card surcharge rules are changing. However, a card surcharge should not simply be renamed as another fee to avoid the new rules.
Manager Takeaway
If your practice currently applies card surcharges, use the remaining days of September to check your systems, policies and patient communications.
The practical question for managers is simple:
Will every patient payment process in your practice be ready for 1 October 2026?
Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and is provided for practice management and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial or accounting advice. Practices should confirm their obligations with their payment provider and seek professional advice where required.
Source: Reserve Bank of Australia, Removal of Card Payment Surcharges From 1 October 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions.
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