Surcharging - Info For Consumers

In Australia, a payment card surcharge is a fee that a merchant adds to the amount of a purchase when a customer pays with a card. Visa’s consistent view is that excessive surcharging is an unfair cost to consumers and consumers should not be penalised for paying with secure and efficient electronic payments.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) released new standards for merchant surcharging in May 2016, aimed at limiting surcharges to the cost of a retailer accepting that card. The new standards are designed to better protect consumers from excessive surcharging.

Merchants must limit surcharging to what it reasonably costs them to accept a Visa card, in accordance with the RBA guidelines. If you think you have been charged an excessive surcharge, you can contact the ACCC: http://accc.gov.au/contact-us/contact-the-accc

More information for consumers can be found at the following link:
ACCC Surcharging Guidance for Consumers