RBA considers caving to Visa and Mastercard

The Reserve Bank of Australia is considering abandoning it's long-standing card surcharging policy in favour of giving Mastercard and Visa the right to ban business from passing on their card fees to card users.

The RBA seems to be going much further than contemplated by the Prime Minister when he previously announced a ban on DEBIT card surcharging.

The Reserve Bank is proposing to grant the long-cherished dream of Visa, and Mastercard, to hide their fees in the cost of the food, medicine and all the goods and services we buy

Pensioners and low income consumers who bring cash to the shop will pay for the Qantas Frequent Flyer points of platinum Visa and Mastercard users.

The Prime Minister has previously used a cup of coffee to explain card surcharging. Every cup of coffee will now cost more because cash users will subsidise card users. This Cash Welcome TIKTOK reacts to the PM's coffee video.

The RBA proposes NOT to regulate the fees and services of Apple Pay, Google Pay, buy now, pay later services and American Express.

Submissions to this consultation should be provided by 26 August 2025 to: pysubmissions@rba.gov.au

Jason Bryce
jason@cashwelcome.org