Taxi EFTPOS Guides
Taxi EFTPOS fees are easier to compare when you separate the charges paid by the operator from any surcharge paid by the passenger. They are not the same thing. A terminal advertised with no monthly rental may still have other commercial terms, while a passenger surcharge is subject to the rules that apply to the service and location.
In this guide
- The different costs in a taxi payment service
- Passenger surcharges and operator fees are different
- Australian taxi surcharge examples
- Compare quotes using the same month of driving
- Ask how deductions appear in settlement
- Read the exit conditions before the entry offer
- Common questions about taxi EFTPOS fees
- Get a quote you can actually compare
Before accepting an offer, request a written schedule covering equipment, transactions, settlement, support and cancellation. Compare that schedule against your real shift activity. A clear quote should explain both what is charged and who pays it.
The different costs in a taxi payment service
The term “EFTPOS fee” can describe several different charges. Splitting them into categories prevents an apparently simple comparison from hiding material differences.
| Cost category | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Setup or installation | Is there an upfront charge for supply, fitting or activation? |
| Equipment | Is the terminal purchased, rented, loaned or included conditionally? |
| Transaction processing | Is the fee a percentage, a fixed amount, or both? |
| Account or service | Are there monthly, reporting or connectivity charges? |
| Settlement | Does the chosen payout method have a separate cost? |
| Refunds and disputes | Which fees apply and when are they charged? |
| Replacement and exit | What is payable for damage, loss, cancellation or non-return? |
Not every provider charges every item. The table is a request for clarification, not a list of assumed TaxiPay charges. It is also worth asking whether amounts are quoted inclusive or exclusive of GST and how they will appear on your statement.
Passenger surcharges and operator fees are different
A passenger surcharge is an amount added because the passenger uses a particular payment method. An operator fee is a charge for the payment service supplied to the business. A provider’s processing cost does not automatically establish what may be charged to a passenger.
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s current guidance distinguishes payment-service fees from consumer surcharges. It also states that taxi surcharging remains the responsibility of state and territory regulators.
This matters after the changes to general card-surcharging arrangements from 1 October 2026. Do not assume that a general retail explanation settles the position for your taxi service. Check the relevant transport regulator and your payment provider for your location, service type and arrangement.
Australian taxi surcharge examples
The examples below reflect the official guidance checked on 4 November 2026. They illustrate why one national percentage is not a reliable instruction for every taxi payment. A maximum is a ceiling, not a recommendation to charge that amount or a substitute for checking which rules apply.
| Jurisdiction and published scope | Official guidance |
|---|---|
| NSW taxi card or Cabcharge payment, as described by Transport for NSW | A maximum 5% surcharge may apply |
| Queensland taxi card transaction | Maximum 5% of the journey fare, including GST |
| Victoria, published extras for unbooked trips | Maximum 6% for CPV-specific devices; maximum 4% for other non-cash devices, including GST |
Sources: Transport for NSW, Queensland Transport and Main Roads and Safe Transport Victoria.
Victoria’s published distinction depends on the device category. Do not decide a device’s category simply from its brand name or appearance. Obtain the applicable classification and current charging instructions before configuring a surcharge. Operators in other states and territories should check their own regulator rather than borrow an example from this table.
Compare quotes using the same month of driving
Choose a representative month. Write down card turnover, transaction count, average fare and the types of cards commonly used. Ask each provider to price the same activity, including the settlement option you intend to use.
As an illustrative calculation only, suppose a quote contained a 1.5% processing charge, a 10-cent fee per transaction and a $20 monthly service fee. With $8,000 in processed payments across 200 transactions, those three items would total $160: $120 plus $20 plus $20. These are invented inputs for demonstrating the calculation, not TaxiPay prices, competitor prices or a passenger surcharge proposal.
Repeat the exercise for a quieter month and a busier month. Fixed charges matter more when turnover is low, while percentage charges increase with the value processed. The terminal buying guide explains the operational questions to consider alongside that calculation.
Ask how deductions appear in settlement
Two quotes can look similar while producing different-looking reports. One arrangement may deduct fees before settlement; another may bill them separately. The question is not which presentation looks cleaner, but whether you can reconcile gross transactions, deductions and the money received.
Ask for a worked example containing a normal payment, a refund and a fee. Then ask which report explains a difference between the day’s payment total and the bank deposit. Our taxi settlement guide covers that distinction in more detail.
Read the exit conditions before the entry offer
Check any notice requirement, equipment return deadline, missing-terminal charge and outstanding balance process. If an offer says “no lock-in”, ask how cancellation works in practice. Keep the written answer with the agreement.
Where several vehicles are involved, confirm whether pricing depends on the fleet’s size, transaction volume or ongoing use. A price that applies to one vehicle may not apply unchanged to another operating arrangement.
Common questions about taxi EFTPOS fees
Does no monthly fee mean no cost?
Not necessarily. Check processing, settlement, equipment, replacement and exit conditions. The written quote should identify every relevant charge and any conditions attached to the advertised offer.
Can every Australian taxi charge the same surcharge?
Do not use a single percentage nationwide without checking. State and territory rules, service circumstances and device categories can affect the applicable position.
Should I compare only the transaction rate?
No. Compare total cost at your expected volume and the work required to manage the account. Include reporting, support, settlement and changeover conditions in the decision.
Get a quote you can actually compare
Give TaxiPay your location, vehicle count and typical monthly transaction activity. Ask for the full commercial terms, the available settlement arrangements and the applicable passenger-charging instructions.
Contact TaxiPay Australia for current EFTPOS terms. If you are considering a change, use the switching checklist before disconnecting your existing service.