Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging – Consultation Paper –
July 2025 Appendix D: Draft Standards

This appendix outlines for consultation the draft variations to the following existing RBA standards (the RBA Standards) to implement the policy proposals described in this paper:

• Standard No. 1 of 2016: The Setting of Interchange Fees in the Designated Credit Card Schemes and Net Payments to Issuers
• Standard No. 2 of 2016: The Setting of Interchange Fees in the Designated Debit and Prepaid Card Schemes and Net Payments to Issuers
• Standard No. 3 of 2016: Schemes Rules Relating to Merchant Pricing for Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Transactions.

The draft variations to the RBA Standards are presented in mark-up against the current version of the relevant RBA Standard.

Subject to certain transitional provisions that delay the date on which particular variations take effect (see section 8.3 and the Commencement and Implementation provisions of the draft varied standards below), it is proposed that the variations to the RBA Standards would come into effect on 1 July 2026.

Prior to 1 July 2026, the RBA’s Standards in their current form would continue to apply. Relevant participants would need to complete the certification requirements for the 2025/26 financial year in accordance with the current interchange caps and benchmarks. Merchants could continue to surcharge using the cost of acceptance framework and acquirers would be required to continue reporting merchants’ cost of acceptance in line with current requirements in Standard No. 3.

From 1 July 2026, the new interchange caps and benchmarks under the proposed variations to Standards No. 1 and No. 2 of 2016 would apply. It is also proposed that from 1 July 2026, the prohibition on no-surcharge rules under Standard No. 3 would no longer apply and the new requirements for reporting merchants’ cost of acceptance would take effect.

The proposed publication requirements for interchange fees and scheme fees would come into effect on 1 July 2026. The card networks would have 30 days to report this data for Quarter 3 2025, Quarter 4 2025, Quarter 1 2026 and Quarter 2 2026. From Quarter 3 2026 onwards, the card networks would be required to report this data no later than 30 days after the end of the relevant quarter.

The proposed requirements for acquirers to publish their merchants’ average cost of acceptance would come into effect on 1 July 2026. The relevant acquirers would have 30 days to report this data for Quarter 1 2026 and Quarter 2 2026. From Quarter 3 2026 onwards, these acquirers would be required to report this data no later than 30 days after the end of the relevant quarter.

For more information on the RBA’s current regulations, see the Backgrounder on the RBA’s Current Payments Regulations.