Business banking and payments
Getting paid quickly and paying bills smoothly keeps cash flowing. Here's how Australian small businesses take card payments, pay suppliers (even by card), and handle international payments, with the 2026 rule changes you should know about.
This guide includes links to providers. Some are affiliate or referral links and we may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. Providers marked "We don't earn a commission" pay us nothing. Affiliate disclosure.
Start with a separate business account
Keeping business money separate makes bookkeeping, GST and tax time far easier, and it's required for a company. Most banks and fintechs ask for your ABN to open a business account.
Taking card payments
For in-person sales, you can use a card terminal or tap-to-pay on your phone. For remote work, payment links and invoices with a "pay now" button get you paid faster. When you compare providers, look at:
- the per-transaction fee and whether it's flat or varies by card type
- hardware cost (buy outright or use your phone)
- how fast funds settle to your account
- whether it connects to your accounting software
Surcharges changed on 1 October 2026: most card surcharges are now banned, so merchants can't add a surcharge on eftpos, Mastercard and Visa payments (see the RBA FAQ (opens in a new tab)). Build card costs into your prices instead.
Paying suppliers, rent and tax by card
Bill-payment services let you pay invoices, rent or tax with a credit or debit card even when the payee doesn't take cards. The service charges your card and pays the payee by bank transfer or BPAY. That can help with cash flow (your card's interest-free days) or card points, but every payment carries a service fee, so it only makes sense when the benefit beats the fee.
- pay.com.au (opens in a new tab) is built for businesses and needs an active ABN. Its free plan lists a 1.20% fee (ex GST) on Visa and Mastercard and 2.10% on Amex, per its pricing page (opens in a new tab).
- B2Bpay (opens in a new tab) is also for businesses, including sole traders, with optional plans that add its own points.
- Sniip (opens in a new tab) is an app for paying BPAY and other bills by card, for households and businesses.
For a detailed, regularly updated comparison of paying bills, rent and tax by card, including fees and step-by-step instructions, see our related site Card The Bill (cardthebill.com.au) (opens in a new tab).
International payments
If you buy from overseas suppliers or sell to customers abroad, a multi-currency business account can cut conversion costs compared with standard bank transfers. Compare the exchange rate margin and any transfer fee, not just the headline fee.
Tools to consider
Listed in no particular order. This isn't every provider in the market, so compare a few and check current pricing and terms on each provider's site.
Zeller
EFTPOS terminals, tap-to-pay, business account and invoicing
Good for: Retail, hospitality, mobile and service businesses
Zeller is an Australian payments company offering card terminals, a business transaction account, invoicing and tap-to-pay on a phone, managed from one dashboard. It's built for Australian small businesses.
Worth knowing
- Payments, business account and invoicing in one place
- Compare transaction fees with your current merchant rate
- Terminal hardware is an upfront cost
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Square
Card readers, point of sale, online payments and invoices
Good for: Cafes, retail, market stalls, service businesses
Square offers card readers, point-of-sale software, online checkout and invoicing for Australian businesses, with free software options to get started and paid add-ons as you grow.
Worth knowing
- Quick to set up for small sellers
- Point-of-sale and online store tools in one account
- Check processing fees and hardware costs for your sales mix
We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. Disclosure.
pay.com.au
Pay business bills, suppliers and the ATO by card
Good for: ABN holders who want card cash flow or points on business bills
pay.com.au lets Australian businesses pay invoices, suppliers, rent and tax bills by card, even where the payee doesn't accept cards. Eligible payments can earn its own PayRewards points. A fee applies to each card payment.
Worth knowing
- Needs an active ABN
- Free plan lists 1.20% (ex GST) on Visa and Mastercard, 2.10% on Amex
- If you carry a card balance, interest can outweigh any benefit
We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. Disclosure.
B2Bpay
Business bill payments by card or bank account
Good for: Businesses, including sole traders and partnerships
B2Bpay lets businesses pay suppliers and bills by card or bank account, with optional plans that add B2B Points on top of your card's own points. The fee is shown before you pay.
Worth knowing
- Business use only
- Optional points plans cost more per payment
- Compare the fee with the value of what you get back
We don't earn a commission from this link.
Sniip
App for paying BPAY and other bills by card
Good for: Households and businesses (no ABN needed for BPAY bills)
Sniip is an Australian app for paying bills, including many BPAY bills and the ATO, by card. You scan or enter the bill details and the fee is shown before you confirm.
Worth knowing
- Simple app for household and business bills
- Not every biller is supported
- Only worth it if your card benefits exceed the fee
We don't earn a commission from this link.
Airwallex
Multi-currency business account, cards and international transfers
Good for: Businesses buying from or selling overseas
Airwallex offers a business account with multi-currency balances, corporate cards and international transfers, aimed at businesses that deal across borders.
Worth knowing
- Useful for paying overseas suppliers or receiving foreign currency
- Compare FX margins and fees with your bank
- More than a purely local business needs
We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. Disclosure.
Free official resources
Common questions
Can I still pay the ATO by credit card?
Directly, only until 30 November 2026. After that the ATO stops accepting credit cards. Third-party bill-payment services pay the ATO by BPAY or bank transfer, so you can still use a card through them for a fee. BPAY, bank transfer and direct debit from your bank account remain options.
Can I add a surcharge for card payments?
From 1 October 2026, merchants can't add surcharges on eftpos, Mastercard and Visa card payments. Check the RBA's FAQs for the details that apply to your business.
Is paying suppliers by card worth it?
It depends on the fee, your card's terms and whether you pay the card off in full. It can help cash flow and earn points, but if you carry a balance, interest usually outweighs the benefit.