Interchange principles and fees
Discover the most important information about interchange fees. Learn more about their purpose, rates and principles.
Interchange fee principles
eftpos believes that interchange fees should be set in a way that is transparent and reflects the interests of all stakeholders. Accordingly, on 20 September 2010 it adopted the following interchange fee principles:
- promote usage, issuance and acceptance of eftpos;
- take into consideration the competitive landscape to
- ensure eftpos is not placed at an economic disadvantage to other payment products; and strive to achieve:
- net costs of acceptance that are below competitive products for all merchants;
- net costs of issuance that are below competitive products for all issuers; and
- an environment that encourages innovation, efficiency and investment in eftpos; and
- review its interchange fee regime at regular intervals (at least annually) in light of relevant developments.
- In developing its interchange fee regime the Company will consult with all Members in an open and transparent manner.
- The success of eftpos as a whole will be the paramount consideration in the Company’s deliberations.
Interchange rates
Interchange fees are payable between the retailer (known as a self-Acquirer) or the retailers’ financial institution (known as the Acquirer) and the cardholder’s bank or financial institution (known as the Issuer).
These rates:
- Create a simple regime to underpin and strengthen eftpos’ competitiveness, and
- Support investment in key enhancements to eftpos products.
The rates support initiatives designed to:
- Increase eftpos functionality, and
- Enhance digital payments security.
Schedule of interchange rates
The following Multilateral Interchange rates are prescribed by eftpos pursuant to Clause 33 of the Scheme Rules from the 1st September 2022.
Interchange Category Name
eftpos Proprietary
(Ex GST)
eftpos Priority 2
(Ex GST)
eftpos Priority 1
(Ex GST)
eftpos Prepaid
(Ex GST)
Definition
Charity
$0.000
$0.000
$0.000
$0.000
All transactions performed at a Merchant that is endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a charitable fund, Charitable Institution of Public Benevolent Fund.
Medicare Easyclaim Refund
$0.000
$0.000
$0.000
$0.000
All Medicare Easyclaim Refund transactions.
Package Rate Categories
Gold
N/A
$0.020
N/A
N/A
Silver
N/A
$0.030
N/A
N/A
Purchase transactions using eftpos Form Factors at point of sale for Merchants or merchant groups that meet the criteria.
Differential Rate Categories
DIFR Category 1
$0.015
$0.010
$0.020
$0.020
DIFR Category 2
$0.030
$0.020
$0.040
$0.040
DIFR Category 3
$0.045
$0.030
$0.060
$0.060
DIFR Category 4
$0.060
$0.040
$0.080
$0.080
Purchase transactions using eftpos Form Factors at point of sale or Digital for Merchants or merchant Groups that meet the criteria.
Digital Early Adopter Program
Digital - Card not present
N/A
$0.060
N/A
N/A
Purchase transactions using eftpos Form Factors at Digital for Merchants or merchant groups that meet the criteria.
Other Categories
In Store
$0.080
$0.040
$0.100
$0.100
Digital - Mobile
N/A
$0.100
$0.100
$0.100
Digital - Card not present
N/A
0.150%
0.150%
0.150%
Purchase transactions using eftpos Form Factors at point of sale or Digital that are not assigned to a different Interchange category.
Purchase with Cash-out
DIFR Category 1 - Cash-out
-$0.200
-$0.200
-$0.200
-$0.200
DIFR Category 2 - Cash-out
-$0.165
-$0.165
-$0.165
-$0.165
DIFR Category 1 & 2 - Purchase
$0.020
$0.020
$0.020
$0.020
Standard - Cash-out
$0.000
$0.000
$0.000
$0.000
Standard - Purchase
$0.020
$0.020
$0.020
$0.020
Purchase with Cash-out transactions.
Cash-out Only
DIFR Category 1
-$0.165
-$0.165
-$0.165
-$0.165
DIFR Category 2
-$0.100
-$0.100
-$0.100
-$0.100
Standard
$0.000
$0.000
$0.000
$0.000
Cash-out Only transactions.
Transfers
$0.045
$0.045
$0.045
$0.045
Withdrawal or Deposit transactions used to debit or credit funds to or from the account of an eftpos Consumers’ account, other than a Cash-out, Purchase, Purchase with Cash-out or in the process of returning goods or services.
Notes:
Capitalised terms used in the definitions are defined in the eftpos Scheme Rules if not listed below.
eftpos Proprietary is considered Single Network Debit Cards for interchange setting.
Interchange Fees are not payable for Refunds and Declines.
Electronic and Paper Fallback transactions attract an Interchange Fee at the applicable Purchase rate.
Digital transaction – A transaction performed using a Merchant website or mobile application, rather than at a Point Of Sale terminal.
Purchase transaction – Within the Differential Rate categories, Purchase transaction refers to all channels including Transfer transactions and card types.
Cash-out – has the meaning in the rules and for clarity is a transaction where the cardholder receives cash (Australian notes or coins) from a merchant, either as a standalone transaction, or combined with the purchase of goods or services.
eftpos Priority 2 is where eftpos is position 2 on the chipset on a multi-network card.
eftpos Priority 1 is where eftpos is position 1 on the chipset on a multi-network card or a mobile device transaction.
AP+ acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora nation as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we are based and pays our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise all Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples ongoing connection to the lands and waters of Australia and thank them for protecting and for their pivotal role in the creation of this beautiful place. Always was and always will be Aboriginal Land.
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