Smartpay (Shift4)

Smartpay primarily promotes a Zero Cost EFTPOS model, where the card surcharge is passed on to the customer rather than absorbed by the merchant, so the merchant's net cost per transaction is effectively zero. Standard absorbed-cost pricing is available on a quote basis instead. Confirm the current rate and terminal rental terms with Smartpay before signing.

Smartpay passes the merchant service fee directly to the card holder as a surcharge on each transaction. As long as your monthly card volume exceeds the threshold, your terminal rental is also covered, meaning you pay no out-of-pocket EFTPOS costs. This is sometimes called a "surcharge-pass" or "no-bill" model.

Under the Zero Cost model, the effective monthly cost depends on your card volume. The terminal rental of Rental per month is covered by the surcharge pool when you exceed the minimum monthly volume threshold. Merchants below that threshold pay a reduced rental.

Yes. Smartpay terminals support least-cost routing for eligible contactless debit transactions, routing them through the eftpos network when it results in a lower fee.

The Australian government has confirmed a ban on card surcharges for Visa, Mastercard, and eftpos from 1 October 2026. This will make Smartpay's current Zero Cost surcharge-pass model non-compliant, and the product is expected to change to a standard merchant-absorb model by that date. If you are evaluating Smartpay's surcharge-free option, factor in this upcoming change.

Smartpay operates with no lock-in contracts. You can exit without an early termination fee.

Smartpay suits businesses that are comfortable passing a small surcharge to customers and want to eliminate their own merchant fees before the 2026 surcharge ban takes effect. Hospitality and retail businesses with consistent monthly card volume above the minimum threshold benefit most from the Zero Cost model.