EFTPOS machine cost in Australia: What founders need to know

What is the typical EFTPOS machine cost in Australia

The Electronic Fund Transfer at Point of Sale, or EFTPOS, machine cost can vary quite a bit depending on what you actually need. For example, Square Terminal is listed at AUD $329, while Zeller Terminal starts from AUD $99. These examples show how upfront hardware costs can vary between providers. The more advanced options can combine payments with a touchscreen, built-in receipt printer, POS software, and other checkout features. If all you need is a simple card reader rather than a full EFTPOS terminal, options are available from around AUD $65.

But buying outright isn't the only option. Some providers offer EFTPOS terminal rental costs for around AUD $20–$50 per month, while others charge for the hardware upfront instead. Your EFTPOS machine fees will also depend on transaction rates and other ongoing charges, so the price of the terminal alone doesn't tell you what you'll actually spend.

eftpos Payments Australia vs EFTPOS

eftpos is Australia’s local debit card network, while EFTPOS refers to the payment terminal or machine used to accept payments. The key distinction is that eftpos is the network that processes eligible debit transactions, while an EFTPOS terminal is the physical device businesses use to accept those payments at the point of sale.

What fees and charges come with using an EFTPOS machine

When you're considering your EFTPOS machine cost, the actual cost of the terminal is just the beginning. You may also have one-off setup costs, ongoing terminal or account fees, software or connectivity costs, and EFTPOS machine fees on each transaction. Knowing what you're being charged for makes it easier to work out the real cost of accepting card payments.

How much are EFTPOS transaction fees in Australia

EFTPOS transaction fees in Australia can vary depending on the provider, card type, and pricing structure. You may be charged a percentage of each transaction, a flat fee, or a combination of both, while the overall EFTPOS machine cost will depend on how these fees fit alongside your other terminal costs. Check the rate for your typical payment mix rather than assuming one advertised fee will apply to every transaction.

EFTPOS transaction fees in Australia can also involve other costs within the payment process:

• Merchant service fee: An MSF covers the cost of processing card payments and can vary based on factors such as the card type, payment network, and provider. Your EFTPOS machine fees may include this as part of the overall transaction charge rather than as a separate fee
• Interchange fee: This is a fee paid between the financial institutions involved in processing a card payment. It can contribute to the merchant service fee and usually won't appear as a separate charge for the founder. Your EFTPOS machine cost can therefore reflect these underlying processing costs without you paying the interchange fee directly

Zeller's Terminal 2 costs AUD $99 upfront and charges a 1.4% transaction fee on every transaction made using the terminal.

What other EFTPOS machine costs should businesses expect

Beyond transaction charges, there are several smaller costs that can affect your EFTPOS machine cost. It's worth checking the full fee schedule before choosing a provider.

• Monthly or account fees: Some providers charge recurring fees for the terminal or account. These can add to your EFTPOS machine fees even when your transaction volume is low. Business merchant accounts can also come with their own monthly or annual charges, so it's worth checking whether these are included in your provider's pricing
• Setup and onboarding: Check whether you'll pay an initial setup, activation or onboarding fee. For a new business, these upfront costs can be easy to overlook
• Software and POS: If your terminal needs separate POS software or other tools, factor these into your EFTPOS machine cost rather than looking at the hardware alone
• Connectivity and data: Check whether the terminal connects through Wi-Fi, mobile data or a SIM, and whether the required connectivity is included in the terminal fee or charged separately
• Replacement and maintenance: Damage, lost terminals, repairs or replacement hardware can add unexpected costs over time
• Support and other fees: Check whether technical support, paper rolls or other services attract separate charges, particularly when comparing EFTPOS transaction fees in Australia across providers

A provider with low EFTPOS machine fees can still work out more expensive if it has higher recurring or add-on charges.

Debit vs credit card EFTPOS fees

Different card types and payment networks can have different processing costs, so your EFTPOS machine cost can vary depending on what your customers use. Understanding your payment mix can help you estimate these costs more accurately. The ACCC, using RBA 2023–24 data, says small businesses processing less than AUD $1 million in annual card transactions typically face processing costs of 0.85%–2% for debit payments and 1%–2% for credit cards.

This means the EFTPOS transaction fees in Australia you pay can differ depending on the cards your customers use, rather than there being one rate for every transaction. Your overall EFTPOS machine cost will therefore depend partly on your payment mix.

EFTPOS terminal rental cost

If you want to keep upfront costs low, renting an EFTPOS terminal can reduce the initial outlay. When you're considering the EFTPOS terminal rental cost, you need to factor in the type of terminal, provider, and contract you choose. Some plans may also include support, maintenance, or other services, while others charge these separately.

Keep rental charges separate from transaction fees when comparing your options. A lower EFTPOS terminal rental cost doesn't necessarily mean a lower overall EFTPOS machine cost, particularly if the provider charges higher fees each time you take a payment.

In Australia, EFTPOS rental costs vary by provider. Tyro Pro Lite costs AUD $19 per month with a 1.3% standard transaction fee, while Westpac EFTPOS Now costs AUD $24.75 per month with a 1.2% flat transaction rate. CommBank Smart charges AUD $29.50 per month with a 1.1% flat-rate transaction fee.

Is it cheaper to buy or rent an EFTPOS machine

Neither buying nor renting is objectively cheaper. It depends on how you use the terminal and the specific terms offered for the machine, provider, card types and payment networks. If you're a founder, compare the total cost over the period you expect to use the terminal rather than focusing only on the upfront price or monthly EFTPOS terminal rental cost.

Your EFTPOS machine cost therefore depends on both the purchase or rental arrangement and the ongoing fees attached to it. Compare the full cost over your expected usage period before deciding.

How to calculate the EFTPOS break-even period

Use a simple calculation to see when buying a terminal becomes cheaper than renting:

Buying: AUD $500 upfront, within the illustrative range of current EFTPOS hardware prices

Renting: AUD $30/month, within the illustrative AUD $20–$50+ monthly rental range

After 17 months, you pay:

17 × AUD $30 = AUD $510

So, after 17 months, your total EFTPOS terminal rental cost would exceed the AUD $500 purchase price. If you use the terminal for more than 17 months, buying costs less in this example, assuming transaction fees and other costs are comparable.

Note: These figures are illustrative examples based on the typical price ranges above. Actual costs can vary by provider, terminal, contract, transaction volume and payment fees.

That doesn't mean buying is always the right choice. If upfront cash is limited, renting can reduce the initial outlay.

Can businesses reduce their own EFTPOS machine costs

Negotiate better terms with your payment provider, particularly if your business processes a significant volume of transactions. This can help reduce your EFTPOS machine cost and the ongoing EFTPOS transaction fees in Australia you pay.

However, there are also more established ways to reduce costs. Least-cost routing (LCR) allows eligible dual-network debit transactions to be routed through the lower-cost network available to the merchant for that transaction, while surcharging, which remains permitted until 30 September 2026, allows businesses to pass certain payment costs on to customers.

Reducing EFTPOS machine cost with least-cost routing

Least-cost routing (LCR) lets eligible debit transactions be routed through the lower-cost payment network available for that transaction. This can reduce EFTPOS machine cost by lowering processing costs, particularly when EFTPOS transaction fees in Australia make up a significant part of your payment costs.

There isn't one LCR route that applies to every business. Ask your payment provider whether LCR is enabled, which networks are available, and how routing affects your transaction rates.

Reduce EFTPOS machine cost with surcharging

Surcharging lets a business pass some card acceptance costs on to the customer instead of absorbing them.

From 1st Oct 2026, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are introducing no-surcharge rules, meaning businesses will generally need to absorb these costs into their overall pricing rather than charge a separate card surcharge.

How much will EFTPOS actually cost your business

The total EFTPOS cost depends on more than the terminal price. The right machine also depends on factors such as payment volume, integrations, settlement times, and contract terms.

• Transaction volume: How much you process each month
• Average transaction value: The typical amount customers spend per transaction
• Payment mix: The types of cards and payment methods your customers use
• Fixed costs: Monthly rental, account or other recurring fees
• Transaction fees: Percentage or flat fees charged on each payment
• Other charges: Setup, support, software, or maintenance costs where applicable

How transaction volume affects your effective EFTPOS cost

The cheapest-looking transaction rate isn't necessarily the cheapest option for your business. Your actual EFTPOS machine cost depends on how much you process, how customers pay and what fixed charges come with the plan.

Say you're comparing 2 EFTPOS plans:

Business 1: AUD $5000 monthly card sales

• Plan A: AUD $20 + (1.5% × AUD $5000) = AUD $95
• Plan B: AUD $100 + (0.9% × AUD $5000) = AUD $145

For this business, Plan A keeps the fixed cost low, which matters because its payment volume is relatively small. The higher transaction rate doesn't add enough to outweigh Plan B's AUD $100 monthly fee.

Business 2: AUD $20,000 monthly card sales

• Plan A: AUD $20 + (1.5% × AUD $20,000) = AUD $320
• Plan B: AUD $100 + (0.9% × AUD $20,000) = AUD $280

Here, the higher transaction volume makes the lower transaction rate more valuable. Plan B's AUD $80 higher monthly fee is more than offset by the savings on EFTPOS transaction fees in Australia.

Note: These figures are illustrative examples based on the typical price ranges above. Actual costs can vary.

This shows why EFTPOS machine cost needs to be assessed against your expected transaction volume. A plan that works well for a business processing AUD $5000 a month may cost more for one processing AUD $20,000.

What should you look for in an EFTPOS machine

The lowest terminal price does not necessarily mean the lowest total cost. Consider how EFTPOS machine cost fits with the way your customers pay and how you run your day-to-day operations.

• Payment methods: Make sure the terminal supports the cards and contactless payment methods your customers actually use. If most customers tap their cards or pay with mobile wallets, you'll want a terminal that handles these payments smoothly
• POS and accounting integrations: Connecting your terminal with your POS or accounting software can cut down on manual data entry and make reconciliation easier. Before choosing a provider, check which systems it integrates with, what data is synced and whether you'll pay extra for the integration
• Fixed vs portable terminals: A fixed terminal can work well for a traditional counter-based business, while a portable terminal is more useful when staff need to take payments around the premises. Restaurants, markets, trades, and businesses that serve customers away from a fixed counter may benefit more from mobility. The best EFTPOS machine for small business depends partly on where and how you take payments
• Settlement times: Check when processed payments are deposited into your business bank account. Settlement can be same-day, next business day or follow another schedule depending on the provider and your arrangement. Faster settlement can make a difference to business cash flow, particularly for businesses with frequent expenses
• Contracts and cancellation: Check whether you're committing to a minimum contract period, what happens if you cancel early and whether the terminal needs to be returned. A lower upfront EFTPOS machine cost may come with a longer commitment
• Support and maintenance: Find out what's included if the terminal stops working, gets damaged or needs replacing. Check whether support, replacement hardware, maintenance, or other services attract separate EFTPOS machine fees
• Total ongoing cost: Don't compare terminals on their purchase or rental price alone. Add transaction fees, recurring charges, software costs and potential support or maintenance costs to understand the real EFTPOS machine cost

EFTPOS machine cost comparison for small businesses in Australia

EFTPOS machine costs vary by provider, hardware type, transaction fees, and payment features. Compare these factors based on how your business accepts payments and the costs that matter most to you.

Prices shown are based on provider-listed pricing and may include GST depending on the provider.

EFTPOS fees are only one part of your business costs. As your business grows, smaller expenses can quickly add up, so using Aspire’s budgets can help you keep your spending organised and within budget.