Questions to answer for every payment provider quote before you sign, grouped by pricing, card mix, equipment, contract, settlement and security.
0 / 15 completed
Use this checklist on every quote so the answers can be compared side by side. Ask for written answers, keep them with the signed agreement, and tick an item only when you have seen it in writing.
The most important step comes first: get three months of your own statements. A quote is only meaningful when it is priced on your own card mix. A business with an average sale of $8 and mostly debit cards has very different costs from one with $400 sales and many premium credit cards, even on the same headline rate.
Two items matter more since 1 October 2026. Surcharges on eftpos, Mastercard and Visa cards are no longer available, so every dollar of fees now comes out of your margin. And interchange caps fell on that date, so ask how the provider passes the reduction through and compare against a quote issued after the change.
The checklist does not rank providers. It helps you find the best fit for your business. See the best-fit selection guide and how to compare merchant quotes.
Worked costings and choosing a provider
Turn flat-rate, tiered and cost-plus quotes into one comparable monthly figure using your own transactions, spot the fees that quotes leave out, and negotiate with evidence.
Worked costings and choosing a provider
A step-by-step way to find the best-fit card payment provider for an Australian small business, using your own statements, card mix, equipment needs and contract terms instead of rankings.
Costly mistakes, disputes and official sources
Which agency does what for merchant payments in Australia, where to check the current rules, and the step-by-step complaint path for disputes with a payment provider.
Costly mistakes, disputes and official sources
The common patterns behind overpaying for card payments in Australia: outdated plans, unreviewed fees, long contracts, chargebacks, security lapses and cash-flow gaps, with fixes for each.
Costly mistakes, disputes and official sources
What PCI DSS requires of a small merchant, how to pick the right self-assessment questionnaire, non-compliance fees, card data you must never store, and links to Privacy Act breach rules.
