Earning points on business payments in Australia
FairPayments · Last updated:
Your business can earn points two ways: on payments going out (bills, suppliers, tax), usually by paying a platform fee, and on card sales coming in, through some merchant providers. Points on payments out only pay off if they're worth more than the fee. Points on sales can come with a merchant rate you'd pay anyway.
How do I earn points on payments going out?
Put supplier bills and expenses on a rewards card and you earn your card's normal points. Suppliers that only take bank transfer can still be paid by card through platforms such as pay.com.au and Sniip. You pay them by card, and they pay the supplier.
The catch is the fee. pay.com.au lists Visa and Mastercard at 1.00% to 1.20% depending on plan, and Sniip lists 1.36% for business credit cards (checked 22 October 2026). Check each platform's pricing page for the exact current rates. A card earning 1 point per $1 gives you about 1% back if you value points at 1 cent each, which doesn't cover a 1.20% fee. If you redeem for flights and value points closer to 2 cents, it can.
Tax is a special case. The ATO accepts credit cards directly, with no card fee, until 30 June 2027. Whether your card earns points on those payments depends on your bank.
Can I earn points on card sales coming in?
This side gets less attention. Some merchant providers include points in their pricing, so you don't pay extra to earn. Our published rates show how FairPayments does it.
FairPayments (Nuvei Preferred Partner) charges 0.95% on Visa and Mastercard and a flat 25c per eftpos transaction (Amex optional at 1.65%) and earns Velocity Points at 1 point per $25 in card sales. Ongoing points need $10,000 a month in card sales. A business taking $40,000 a month in card sales would earn 1,600 points a month. The offer is for auto, wholesale food and trade supply businesses.
Where should I start?
- Check your merchant fees first. They usually matter more than any points.
- Use a payment platform only where the sum works.
- Keep your points in one program so they add up to something useful.
See your own numbers with the Velocity Points calculator.
The guides in this series
- Paying the ATO by credit card in 2026: the fee, the points and the June 2027 deadline
- pay.com.au fees explained: platform fees, PayRewards and how the two stack
- How to earn points on supplier payments in Australia (and when it isn't worth it)
- Qantas Business Rewards vs Virgin Australia Business Flyer: which suits a small business?
- Earning points on both sides of your business: payments out and payments in
- Tyro and pay.com.au: what it means for merchants (coming soon)
FAQ
Can my business earn points on its payments?
Yes, two ways. You can earn card points when you pay bills, suppliers or tax, usually by paying a platform fee. Or you can earn points on card sales through some merchant providers.
Is paying a fee to earn points worth it?
Only if the points are worth more to you than the fee. Multiply your card's earn rate by what a point is worth to you and compare that with the fee.
Can I pay the ATO by credit card?
The ATO will accept credit cards directly until 30 June 2027 and says card payment fees do not apply. After that, third-party providers are the card option.
How do I earn points on card sales?
FairPayments (Nuvei Preferred Partner) gives eligible merchants Velocity Points at 1 point per $25 in card sales, with 0.95% on Visa and Mastercard and a flat 25c per eftpos transaction. Ongoing points need $10,000 a month in card sales.
Who is the FairPayments offer for?
Auto businesses (mechanics, panel beaters, car dealers, auto parts), wholesale food (butchers, grocers) and trade supplies. Others can call 1800 930 164.
Pay less. Get more. That's fair.