'Someone has to pay': Small businesses grapple with card surcharge ban

Small businesses across Australia are adjusting to a new regulatory environment following the implementation of a ban on payment surcharges. One week after the policy took effect, merchants are evaluating how to manage the ongoing costs associated with card transaction merchant fees.

While consumers continue to favor card payments over cash, business owners are now tasked with absorbing these processing costs. The transition highlights a tension between consumer payment preferences and the operational financial impact on small-scale enterprises.