Following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) recent announcement to remove merchant surcharging from 1 October 2026, we want to provide clarity, context, and reassurance on what this means for Pinch merchants.
At Pinch, we support the RBA’s direction toward a more transparent and simplified payments landscape. Clear, upfront pricing benefits everyone - businesses and consumers alike - and aligns closely with our mission to make payments easier to understand and manage.
Today, Pinch gives merchants full control over how they manage payment costs, including the option to apply surcharges where appropriate. We know this flexibility has been important for many businesses.
In line with the upcoming regulatory changes:
From 1 October 2026, the ability to apply surcharges within the Pinch platform will be removed.
This update will be applied automatically across all merchants to ensure compliance.
We recognise that many of our merchants currently use surcharging as part of their cost recovery strategy. This change may require adjustments to how you approach pricing or manage payment-related costs.
While the regulatory direction is clear, the broader structure of merchant fees across the industry is still evolving. That means now is a time for careful consideration — not rushed decisions.
Our approach at Pinch is deliberate and merchant-first. We will continue to advocate for fair and transparent pricing models, work closely with our partners and the wider payments ecosystem, and avoid making immediate pricing changes until there is greater clarity closer to the October implementation date.
Our goal is to ensure any future adjustments are thoughtful, balanced, and ultimately in the best interests of our merchants.
Over the coming months, we’re committed to making this transition as smooth as possible. You can expect us to keep you informed as more details emerge, provide practical guidance on managing payment costs in a post-surcharge environment, and support you in adapting your pricing strategy with confidence.
This is a significant shift for the industry, but it’s also an opportunity to move toward a simpler, more transparent payments experience. As always, Pinch is here to support you every step of the way.