Should you pass card fees on or include them in grooming prices?
25 August 2026·2 min read
Including card costs keeps the grooming price clean. Passing them on makes the payment cost visible, but adds a rule the business must verify, display and soon change.
Our call for a small grooming business is to include ordinary card acceptance costs in service prices unless there is a strong reason to maintain surcharges. The simpler pickup is usually worth more than a tiny separate recovery.
What can you surcharge today?
As at 25 August 2026, the ACCC says a card surcharge can't exceed the cost of accepting that payment type. Check the statements from your bank or payment facilitator. A guessed percentage, or a “service fee” that only appears for card payments, doesn't avoid the rule.
If you apply one rate to several card types, the ACCC says it can't exceed the lowest permitted rate among them. Keep the statement, contract or invoice that supports every cost included.
A change is due on 1 October 2026
The same ACCC guidance records that Visa, Mastercard and eftpos networks will introduce no-surcharge rules from 1 October 2026. The details will sit in scheme rules and merchant contracts. Recheck your provider's terms immediately before that date and remove any affected surcharge when required.
Don't publish a long-lived sign today that assumes the current rule will continue. Give the policy an owner and a dated review.
Display the amount before payment
Where clients have no surcharge-free payment method, the ACCC requires the minimum surcharge in the displayed price. Its price display guidance also requires total consumer prices to include taxes and unavoidable or pre-selected fees.
A note beside the terminal is too late if the client booked from a lower advertised total. Show the policy with the service price, booking confirmation or payment choice.
Use a five-line review card
- Payment types accepted and surcharge-free option:
- Verified cost for each type:
- Provider evidence dated:
- Display locations checked:
- Owner and next review date, including 1 October 2026:
If you include the cost instead, put it into the ordinary price review. Either choice has a cost. Only one needs a sign, separate calculation and rule-change diary entry.
Seglo note: Keep the final paid amount attached to the grooming visit that created it.