Key facts
- •Stripe's in-person card rate is 1.7% + $0.10 per transaction
- •Stripe's online card rate is 1.7% + $0.30 per transaction
- •In-person and online carry different fixed fees: $0.10 in-person, $0.30 online
- •Stripe hardware ranges from $89 to $469
- •Dispute fees are $25 per dispute
- •From 1 October 2026, surcharges on Visa, Mastercard, eftpos, and Amex are banned
What does Stripe charge per transaction?
Stripe's Australia pricing separates in-person and online transactions with different fixed components.
| Payment type | Rate | Fixed fee |
|---|---|---|
| QwikPay | $0.00Zero fees | Free 12 months, then from $19.99/mo |
| Stripe in-person | 1.7% | + $0.10 |
| Stripe online / keyed-in | 1.7% | + $0.30 |
| Stripe international card | 1.7% + 1.5% | + $0.10 or $0.30 |
The in-person fixed fee is $0.10, not $0.30. The $0.30 fixed fee applies to online and manually keyed-in transactions only. This is a meaningful distinction for businesses comparing Stripe to other in-person providers.
Real cost example: $25,000/month in card payments
Assuming 50 in-person transactions averaging $500 each:
- Transaction rate: 1.7% x $25,000 = $425.00
- Fixed per-transaction fee: 50 x $0.10 = $5.00
- Total Stripe in-person cost: approximately $430/month
For the same volume online (50 transactions x $0.30 fixed fee):
- Transaction rate: $425.00
- Fixed fee: 50 x $0.30 = $15.00
- Total Stripe online cost: approximately $440/month
Stripe hardware options
Stripe sells its own card readers for in-person payments in Australia.
| Device | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WisePad 3 | $89 | Bluetooth card reader |
| BBPOS WisePOS E | $349 | Smart terminal |
| Stripe S710 / S700 | $449 | Android-based smart terminal |
| Stripe T600 | $469 | Countertop smart terminal |
Hardware is purchased outright. There is no monthly rental fee for Stripe terminals.
Other Stripe fees to know
- Disputes: $25 per dispute (refunded if dispute is won)
- Tap to Pay (iPhone/Android): $0.15 per authorisation in addition to the transaction fee
- International cards: Additional 1.5% on top of the standard rate
- Currency conversion: Additional 2% if currency conversion is required
- Radar fraud protection: Included in standard pricing
Is Stripe right for in-person businesses?
Stripe was built for online and developer-led payments. For businesses primarily taking in-person card payments, Tyro, Square, or Zeller are purpose-built for physical retail with dedicated terminal ecosystems and point-of-sale integrations. Stripe suits businesses that need both online and in-person in one system, or developers building custom payment flows.
October 2026 card-surcharge changes impact
From 1 October 2026, Stripe merchants in Australia cannot add a surcharge to Visa, Mastercard, eftpos, or Amex transactions. Stripe's 1.7% + $0.10 in-person fee continues and comes out of the merchant's margin.
The only option with $0 transaction fees and instant settlement
Stripe charges 1.7% plus a fixed fee on every transaction and settles funds within 2 business days. 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. No hardware required. Settlement is instant and on-demand, withdraw to your bank account whenever you choose. QwikPay sits alongside your existing setup as an additional payment option.
Start accepting zero-fee paymentsHow Stripe compares to other providers
| Provider | Transaction fee | Monthly | Hardware | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QwikPay | $0.00Zero fees | Free 12 months, then from $19.99/mo | None - QR code only | Instant, on-demand |
| Stripe (in-person) | 1.7% + $0.10 | None | $89 to $469 (purchase) | 2 business days |
| Tyro | 1.3% | From $19/mo (Pro Lite) | Rental included | Next business day |
| Square | 1.6% | None | From $65 | Next business day |
| Zeller (in-person) | 1.4% | None | $199 | Next business day |
Frequently asked questions
What is Stripe's transaction fee in Australia?
Stripe charges 1.7% + $0.10 per in-person card transaction. Online and manually keyed-in transactions are 1.7% + $0.30. International cards attract an additional 1.5%.
Does Stripe charge $0.30 for in-person payments?
No. Stripe's $0.30 fixed fee applies to online and keyed-in transactions. In-person card payments via a Stripe terminal carry a $0.10 fixed fee, not $0.30.
What Stripe hardware is available in Australia?
Stripe sells the WisePad 3 ($89), BBPOS WisePOS E ($349), S710/S700 ($449), and T600 ($469) in Australia. Hardware is purchased outright with no ongoing rental fee.
Can Stripe merchants surcharge from October 2026?
No. From 1 October 2026, surcharges on Visa, Mastercard, eftpos, and Amex are banned under RBA rules. Stripe merchants cannot pass the 1.7% fee to customers via a surcharge.
How long does Stripe take to settle in Australia?
Stripe typically settles funds within 2 business days in Australia. This is slower than Tyro and Square (next business day) and significantly slower than QwikPay (instant, on-demand).