Key facts
- •Westpac merchant fees are negotiated - not published publicly
- •Indicative rates range from 0.5% to 1.8% per transaction depending on card type and volume
- •Monthly merchant service fee from approximately $20/month including terminal rental
- •Credit card transactions attract higher rates than debit card transactions
- •Westpac offers least-cost routing - contact Westpac to confirm it is active on your terminal
- •From 1 October 2026, Westpac merchants can no longer pass card fees to customers as a surcharge
What does Westpac charge per transaction?
Westpac merchant fees are set through individual negotiations. Indicative ranges based on publicly available merchant feedback:
| Provider | Transaction fee | Monthly fee | Hardware |
|---|---|---|---|
| QwikPay | $0.00Zero fees | Free 12 months, then from $19.99/mo | None - QR code only |
| Westpac debit card | 0.5% to 0.8% | $20/mo | Terminal rental |
| Westpac credit card | 1.1% to 1.8% | $20/mo | Terminal rental |
| Westpac international card | 2.0% to 3.0% | $20/mo | Terminal rental |
Disclaimer: Westpac rates are indicative only. Westpac does not publish standard merchant fee schedules. Contact Westpac directly for a current quote based on your business volume and industry.
What does Westpac cost per month in real terms?
Using the midpoint indicative rate of 1.2%:
- $10,000/month in card payments = approximately $120/month in fees ($1,440/year) plus monthly service fee
- $25,000/month in card payments = approximately $300/month in fees ($3,600/year) plus monthly service fee
- $50,000/month in card payments = approximately $600/month in fees ($7,200/year) plus monthly service fee
The monthly service fee of approximately $20 applies regardless of volume. After October 2026, none of these costs can be recovered from customers as a surcharge on Visa, Mastercard, or EFTPOS transactions.
Westpac vs fintech providers - fee comparison
| Provider | Transaction fee | Monthly fee | Rate transparency | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QwikPay | $0.00Zero fees | Free 12 months, then from $19.99/mo | None - QR code only | Instant, on-demand |
| Westpac | 0.5-1.8% (negotiated) | $20/mo | Negotiated only | Next business day |
| Square | 1.6% flat | None | Published | Next business day |
| Tyro | 1.4% flat | $29/mo rental | Published | Next business day |
| Zeller | 1.4% flat | None | Published | Next business day |
Disclaimer: Rates are indicative. Verify current rates directly with each provider.
When Westpac makes sense: Merchants already banking with Westpac may find value in consolidated banking and merchant services with a single provider. High-volume merchants can negotiate meaningful rate reductions. Westpac's terminal ecosystem supports major Australian POS systems.
When a fintech alternative makes sense: For merchants wanting transparent published rates with no negotiation required, Tyro at 1.4% or Square at 1.6% are straightforward. For zero transaction fees at the counter without any change to the existing setup, QwikPay sits alongside any Westpac terminal as an additional option.
Does Westpac offer least-cost routing?
Yes. Westpac offers least-cost routing on eligible terminals, routing contactless debit card transactions over the cheapest available network. If you have a Westpac terminal and are not sure whether this is active, contact Westpac merchant services. Activation is at no additional cost and can reduce your per-transaction cost on domestic debit payments.
What does the October 2026 surcharge ban mean for Westpac merchants?
From 1 October 2026, Westpac merchants can no longer add a surcharge to Visa, Mastercard, or EFTPOS transactions. Your merchant service fee continues - it comes out of your margin. The RBA's interchange reductions will lower Westpac's wholesale costs. Westpac is required to report quarterly on pass-through from January 2027. Contact Westpac before October to understand your post-ban effective rate and whether any reductions will flow to your merchant agreement.
The only option with $0 transaction fees
Westpac, Square, and Tyro all charge a percentage of every card transaction and settle funds the next business day. QwikPay charges merchants nothing per transaction - payments are processed through the QwikPay wallet via QR code, not through a card network. 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 Westpac terminal as an additional payment option. Your current setup stays exactly where it is.
Start accepting zero-fee paymentsFrequently asked questions
What are Westpac merchant fees?
Westpac merchant fees are negotiated and not published publicly. Indicative rates range from 0.5% to 1.8% per transaction depending on card type, volume, and industry. Westpac also charges monthly terminal rental and merchant service fees on top of per-transaction costs. Contact Westpac directly for a current quote.
Does Westpac charge a monthly fee for merchant services?
Yes. Westpac charges a monthly merchant service fee that typically starts from around $20 per month. Terminal rental is charged separately or bundled depending on your merchant agreement. Contact Westpac directly to confirm your current monthly fees.
Is Westpac cheaper than Square or Tyro?
For high-volume merchants, Westpac's negotiated rates can be lower than Square's flat 1.6% or Tyro's 1.4%. However Westpac's monthly service and terminal fees add fixed costs that reduce the advantage at lower volumes. Fintech providers offer transparent flat rates without the need for negotiation.
What happens to Westpac merchant surcharges after October 2026?
From 1 October 2026, Westpac merchants can no longer add a surcharge to Visa, Mastercard, or EFTPOS transactions. Westpac's merchant service fees continue - they come out of the merchant's margin. Contact Westpac before October to understand your post-ban effective rate.
Can I use QwikPay alongside my Westpac terminal?
Yes. QwikPay is an additional payment option that sits alongside your existing Westpac terminal. Your Westpac hardware 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.
Does Westpac offer least-cost routing?
Yes. Westpac offers least-cost routing on eligible terminals. This routes contactless debit transactions over the cheapest available network. Contact Westpac merchant services to confirm it is active on your terminal.