Cafes and other retailers in Western Australia face a shift in how they price and accept payments as a card surcharge ban is set to come into effect. Sources report that shoppers may be able to see lower prices through cash discounts, depending on how businesses adjust their pricing practices.
While the ban removes the ability for some retailers to add surcharges to card transactions, outlets note that businesses are still responsible for card merchant fees. That means retailers may reduce surcharge-based charges but continue to carry the underlying costs associated with card payments.
Both reports frame the change as a “crossroads” for businesses and customers: consumers could benefit from clearer discounts when paying with cash, but retailers may not see a full reduction in payment-related expenses. The practical impact depends on how each business chooses to structure discounts and how payment costs are passed on under the new rules.
