The Surcharge Switch-Off: A Tradie’s Guide to Updating Your Terminal Before Oct 1
Published: 29 Sep 2026
October 1 rolls around and every card surcharge in the country switches off, whether your terminal’s ready for it or not. This one’s not a hardware failure or a busy-night meltdown — it’s a settings job. But I’ve seen enough venues get caught out by a toggle buried three menus deep to know it’s worth doing properly, not the night before.
What’s Actually Changing on October 1
From that date, card surcharges are banned. Not reduced, not capped — off. Your terminal, your POS and anything printed or displayed that mentions a surcharge all need to reflect that on the same day, not whenever you get around to it.
- Terminal settings — most providers have a surcharge toggle or fee schedule sitting in the merchant portal or on-device menu
- POS integration — if your POS applies its own surcharge line rather than passing it through from the terminal, that needs switching off too
- Signage and menus — printed cards, counter signs, website footnotes, anywhere a surcharge percentage is mentioned
- Staff knowledge — whoever’s on the floor needs to know not to explain a surcharge that no longer exists
The surcharge toggle gets switched off on the terminal, but the POS is still applying its own fee on top — so the docket looks compliant right up until the customer does the maths.
The Pre-Switch-Off Checklist
Do This Before Oct 1- Log into your EFTPOS provider’s merchant portal (or the terminal’s own settings menu) and find the surcharge or fee schedule.
- Switch it off — don’t just set it to zero, actually disable it, since some setups still show a surcharge line at $0.00.
- Check whether your POS applies its own surcharge separately from the terminal, and switch that off too.
- Update or remove any printed signage, menu footnotes or website text that mentions a surcharge percentage.
- Run a test transaction before doors open on the 1st and check the docket — no surcharge line, no exceptions.
- Brief staff so nobody’s explaining a fee that doesn’t exist anymore.
When You Need Us On-Site
- You can’t find the surcharge setting, or it’s not where your provider’s instructions say it should be
- Your terminal needs a firmware update first and it’s stuck or failing
- You’re not sure whether the fix is on the terminal, the POS, or both
- You want it checked and confirmed working before the 1st, not scrambling on the morning of
That’s when it matters who you’ve got on call. Not a call centre script read to you from three states away. Not a remote login fumbling around while you’re trying to open up. Someone who shows up, gets hands-on, and gets you back in business fast — because every minute spent hunting through menus is a minute you’re not trading.
FAQs: The Card Surcharge Ban
What exactly changes on my EFTPOS terminal on October 1?
Card surcharges are banned outright. Any surcharge toggle or fee schedule on your terminal or POS needs to be switched off, and any signage or menu text mentioning a surcharge needs to come down.
Do I need new hardware to comply with the surcharge ban?
Usually not. For most venues it’s a settings change on the existing terminal and POS, not a hardware swap. Older terminals that need a firmware update first are the exception.
Where do I find the surcharge setting on my terminal?
It’s normally in your EFTPOS provider’s merchant portal or in the terminal’s own settings menu, under fees or surcharge. Exactly where varies by provider — that’s usually the sticking point.
What happens if I forget to switch it off?
Your dockets keep showing a surcharge that’s no longer allowed, which is exactly the kind of thing a customer notices and complains about. Test a transaction before doors open on the 1st so you’re not finding out mid-service.
Who do I call if I can’t find or change the surcharge setting?
Someone who can get hands-on fast, not a call centre reading a script. HospoDoc gets on-site and gets it sorted before the deadline, not after.
Don’t Let a Toggle Catch You Out
HospoDoc provides on-site support across Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Get your terminal and POS checked and compliant before October 1.