Retailers are adjusting their checkout systems after a ban on card payment surcharges comes into effect, but some business groups say Australians may still see surcharge charges at the register. Reports from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney describe retailers and merchants working to ensure surcharging is no longer applied during card transactions.
Business lobby organisations warn that implementation is not fully ready across the retail sector. They point to practical challenges such as updating point-of-sale settings and payment terminals, and the risk that staff or systems may continue charging customers due to delays in compliance.
While all outlets focus on merchants’ difficulties meeting the new requirements, they differ mainly in emphasis. Brisbane and Melbourne foreground the “ill-prepared” framing and the warning that surcharges could persist for some shoppers. The Sydney coverage similarly highlights the concerns from business groups, while focusing on how widespread compliance may vary between outlets and payment setups.
