ACCC targets misleading surcharges, tells SMEs to review practices

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is calling on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to review their card payment surcharges to ensure compliance with legal requirements. The ACCC is emphasizing that surcharges must align with the actual cost of accepting card payments, known as the 'cost of acceptance,' and that businesses must clearly disclose these fees upfront to customers. As part of its 2025-26 compliance and enforcement priorities, the ACCC is targeting misleading surcharging practices and other add-on costs.

"Businesses need to ensure their customers know about any card payment surcharges upfront, and that they are only charging what it costs them to accept those card payments," said ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh. Clear disclosure rules for SMEs Under the Australian Consumer Law, businesses are prohibited from misleading customers about pricing. Additionally, the Competition and Consumer Act bans excessive card payment.



.. Yajush Gupta.