RBA Bans Card Surcharges in Major Win for Older Australians

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced that it will ban surcharges on most debit and credit card payments from October 2026, a major win for older Australians who have been advocating for fair and affordable payment options.

This decision comes after National Seniors Australia (NSA) launched its Keep Cash campaign in 2023 to protect the right of Australians to pay with notes and coins. The campaign has had significant success, including the introduction of the Cash Mandate, which requires major supermarkets and petrol stations to continue accepting cash.

NSA CEO Chris Grice said that the surcharge ban means consumers will no longer be hit with unexpected fees when paying by most debit or credit cards. He also noted that businesses will still face payment processing costs, but these should be incorporated into the ticket price rather than appearing as an added charge at the checkout.

The RBA's decision is just one of several recent wins achieved through NSA's ongoing advocacy on behalf of older Australians, including the extension of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and improvements to the Medical Costs Finder website.