Key facts
- •CBA's published merchant service fee is 0.99% per transaction from 1 October 2026 (reduced from 1.1%)
- •The 0.99% Simple Rate applies to all card types on CBA's standard pricing tier
- •Terminal rental applies separately depending on the device
- •From 1 October 2026, surcharges on Visa, Mastercard, eftpos, and Amex are banned
- •CBA processes via card networks, interchange and scheme fees apply within the all-in rate
What does CBA charge per transaction?
CBA's published Simple Rate for card payments is 0.99% per transaction from 1 October 2026, reduced from the previous published rate of 1.1%. This is CBA's publicly available standard rate, not a negotiated figure. The Simple Rate is all-inclusive: it covers interchange, scheme fees, and CBA's margin in one number.
| Type | Fee | Monthly | Hardware |
|---|---|---|---|
| QwikPay | $0.00Zero fees | Free 12 months, then from $19.99/mo | None - QR code only |
| CBA Simple Rate | 0.99% | Terminal rental applies | SmartPay terminal required |
| Foreign card | Higher rate applies | Terminal rental applies | SmartPay terminal required |
Rates are CBA's published standard rates from 1 October 2026. Verify current rates directly with CommBank.
What changed on 1 October 2026?
CBA reduced its published Simple Rate from 1.1% to 0.99% effective 1 October 2026. This aligns with the Reserve Bank of Australia's interchange cap reductions that take effect on the same date. The RBA's reforms lower the maximum interchange CBA pays to card schemes, and CBA passed a portion of that reduction to merchants in its published rate.
The 1 October 2026 date also marks the ban on card surcharges for Visa, Mastercard, eftpos, and Amex. CBA merchants who previously surcharged customers to recover the 1.1% fee can no longer do so. The 0.99% fee now comes out of the merchant's margin on every transaction.
What about different card types?
CBA's 0.99% Simple Rate is designed to cover standard domestic consumer card transactions. Higher rates may apply for commercial cards, international cards, and transactions processed in other ways. Confirm the specific rate for your card mix directly with CommBank before committing.
Terminal costs
CBA's SmartPay terminal is provided on a rental or purchase basis. Monthly rental fees apply depending on the terminal model and term of agreement. These are separate from the per-transaction rate. Contact CBA directly for current terminal pricing.
October 2026 card-surcharge changes impact
From 1 October 2026, CBA merchants cannot add a surcharge to Visa, Mastercard, eftpos, or Amex transactions. The 0.99% transaction fee continues and comes out of your margin. Merchants who relied on a surcharge to offset card costs will need to adjust pricing or absorb the fee.
The only option with $0 transaction fees and instant settlement
CBA, like all card processors, charges a percentage of every transaction. QwikPay charges merchants nothing per transaction. Payments are processed through the QwikPay wallet via QR code using PayTo and PayID infrastructure. No interchange. No scheme fee. No merchant service fee. Settlement is instant and on-demand, withdraw to your bank account whenever you choose. QwikPay sits alongside your existing terminal as an additional payment option. Your current setup stays exactly where it is.
Start accepting zero-fee paymentsHow CBA compares to other providers
| Provider | Transaction fee | Monthly | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| QwikPay | $0.00Zero fees | Free 12 months, then from $19.99/mo | None - QR code only |
| CBA | 0.99% | Terminal rental applies | Next business day |
| Westpac | 1.2% (EFTPOS machine) / 1.4% (EFTPOS Air) | $24.75/device | Next business day |
| Tyro | 1.3% | From $19/mo (Pro Lite) | Next business day |
| Square | 1.6% | None | Next business day |
| Stripe (in-person) | 1.7% + $0.10 | None | 2 business days |
Frequently asked questions
What is CBA's merchant service fee?
CBA's published Simple Rate is 0.99% per transaction from 1 October 2026, reduced from 1.1%. This is CBA's standard published rate and covers interchange, scheme fees, and bank margin in one all-inclusive rate.
Did CBA change its rates recently?
Yes. CBA reduced its published Simple Rate from 1.1% to 0.99% effective 1 October 2026, in line with the RBA's interchange cap reductions that took effect on the same date.
Can CBA merchants still surcharge from October 2026?
No. From 1 October 2026, surcharges on Visa, Mastercard, eftpos, and Amex are banned under RBA rules. CBA merchants cannot pass the 0.99% fee to customers via a surcharge. The fee comes out of the merchant's margin.
Does CBA charge a monthly fee?
Terminal rental fees apply depending on the device model and agreement. These are separate from the per-transaction rate. Contact CBA directly for current device pricing.
Is CBA cheaper than Tyro or Square?
CBA's 0.99% rate is lower than Tyro's 1.3% and Square's 1.6% on a per-transaction basis. However CBA requires a SmartPay terminal with separate rental costs, and international or commercial card rates may differ. Factor in the full cost including terminal, monthly fees, and your card mix before comparing.
Can I use QwikPay alongside my CBA terminal?
Yes. QwikPay is an additional payment option. Your CBA terminal stays exactly where it is. QwikPay adds a QR code at the counter for customers who want to pay with zero fees and earn Qwik Points rewards.