Most Australian merchants think switching payments is painful. It isn't. With the right provider, you can switch your payment processing in 3–5 business days — keeping your existing POS.
If you're on 1.4–1.6% flat with no negotiation path, switching could save you hundreds per month. Flat-rate providers offer simplicity — but they don't reward loyalty or volume.
The best time to switch or renegotiate is at contract renewal. Most lock-in contracts require 30-day notice. Don't let the contract auto-renew without at least getting a competing quote.
From 1 October 2026, your merchant fee hits your margin directly — you can no longer pass it to customers. This is the event driving most merchants to review their rates now.
Providers that made sense at $10K/month may be poor value at $100K/month. Volume earns negotiating power — and if your current provider isn't using it to lower your rate, another one will.
Most contracts require 30 days written notice. Know your exit date before approaching new providers.
Flat rate charges the same % on every card. Blended rates vary by card type. This affects what quotes are comparable.
Rate % + terminal rental + monthly fees. Most merchants only track the rate — the total picture is often 20–30% higher.
Use the same volume figures with each provider so comparisons are apples-to-apples.
Before signing — not after. Most providers support the major Australian POS systems, but verify your specific setup.
Allow 3–5 business days for delivery. Don't cut over on the same day the terminal arrives.
Run both in parallel for 1–2 trading days. Confirm settlement lands correctly before cutting over.
Get cancellation confirmation in writing. Check your statement the following month to confirm no residual fees.
Know your exit cost from your current provider before you sign anything new. Some providers charge a flat fee; others charge remaining months. Calculate whether switching savings outweigh exit costs.
Some providers require you to use their own hardware. Check whether the new terminal will work with your POS system before committing — and what happens to the hardware if you leave.
A lower percentage rate can be offset by high monthly fees and terminal rental. Always compare on total annual cost — not just the headline rate.
For merchants with mixed card volume, a negotiated blended rate is usually cheaper than flat. For low-volume or predominantly debit merchants, flat-rate providers can be simpler.
Check whether your new provider settles T+1 or T+2 — or offers same-day settlement. If you're running tight cash flow, the settlement cycle matters.
Free rate comparison. 3–5 day settlement. No lock-in.
Tell us your current provider, monthly volume and card mix — we'll have a comparison ready in 24hrs.