Ever paid a bill and noticed the total was a little higher than you expected? Those extra charges are called payment surcharges. While they might only be a small amount, they can add up over time, especially when you're paying for mobile, internet, your daily latte and all the other monthly essentials.

In case you haven't heard, things are changing! Following a review by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), surcharges on Visa and Mastercard payments are being phased out across Australia to make pricing simpler and more transparent. The industry-wide changes will take effect from 1 October 2026.

What does this mean for Tangerine customers?

We're getting ahead of the change. From 3 August 2026, if you pay your Tangerine bill with a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card, you won't pay a payment surcharge. Simple.

The only exceptions are:

• AMEX: 2% surcharge
• PayPal: 1% surcharge

These surcharges will remain.

Already with Tangerine?

You don't need to do a thing. If you pay with a Visa or Mastercard, the surcharge will automatically disappear for new payments made from 3 August 2026. It's one less thing to think about when your bill arrives.

Comparing mobile and internet providers? Look beyond the monthly price.

When you're shopping around for a mobile or internet plan, it's easy to focus on the advertised monthly price. But it's always worth checking whether there are any additional costs that could affect what you actually pay.

As payment surcharges disappear across Australia, comparing providers should become simpler and more transparent, making it easier to understand exactly what your monthly bill will look like.

Want to know more?

If you'd like to learn more about the upcoming changes, check out the Reserve Bank of Australia's payment reforms or the ACCC's guide to card payment surcharges right here.

At Tangerine, we're all about keeping things refreshingly simple 🍊