The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is reminding businesses — including those in the furniture industry — to ensure their card payment surcharges and pricing practices comply with Australian Consumer Law.
The Australian Furniture Association highlights the reminder, which comes after recent enforcement action taken against a business found charging excessive surcharges on card transactions. According to the ACCC, businesses can only pass on what it actually costs them to accept a card payment. Charging more than that is a breach of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
“Excessive surcharging is illegal. Businesses must ensure that their surcharges reflect the actual cost of processing a payment, nothing more,” said ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe in a statement released on 21 May 2025.
The ACCC is also encouraging businesses to review how prices are displayed, ensuring they are not misleading consumers — particularly when it comes to displaying ‘from’ prices, optional extras, and delivery fees.
Why It Matters for Furniture Retailers and Manufacturers
For furniture retailers, suppliers, and e-commerce stores, pricing transparency is essential to build consumer trust and stay compliant. Key areas of concern include:
- Displayed pricing: All prices must include mandatory charges such as GST and any unavoidable service fees.
- Surcharges: If you charge extra for payments made by credit or debit cards, the amount must reflect the actual cost — typically a small percentage.
- Optional extras: Add-ons such as delivery, fabric protection, or assembly must be clearly disclosed and optional — not pre-selected.
The ACCC warns that failing to meet these requirements can lead to fines or legal action. More importantly, non-compliant practices can damage consumer confidence — a critical factor in today’s highly competitive retail environment.
What AFA Members Should Do
The ACCC encourages businesses to:
- Audit payment processing costs and ensure card surcharges are in line with actual expenses.
- Check pricing displays across websites, in-store signage, and advertising materials.
- Train staff to accurately communicate pricing, delivery, and optional extras to customers.
To support compliance, the ACCC has published detailed guidance on card payment surcharges and pricing display requirements, available at:
🔗 ACCC Media Release – Card Surcharges and Pricing Information
Need help reviewing your pricing or surcharging practices?
If you don’t have access to legal or financial advisers, visit the AFA’s Member Benefits – Business Services page for trusted support and resources tailored to help your business stay compliant and competitive.