How much does an EFTPOS machine cost in Australia? (2026 guide)
FairPayments · · Last updated:
Written by the FairPayments team. Questions? Call 1800 930 164.
An EFTPOS machine in Australia costs $59 to $329 to buy outright, or $19 to $29.50 a month to rent, going by the prices Square, Zeller, Tyro and CommBank published on 20 October 2026. The machine is usually the smaller cost. A business taking $15,000 a month on cards would pay between $1,782 and $2,880 a year in transaction fees at those providers' standard rates, several times what the machine costs. FairPayments also pays Velocity Points on card sales, which the other providers' pricing pages don't list.
There isn't one price for an EFTPOS machine, because some providers sell you the machine, some rent it to you, and all of them take a fee on every card payment. We checked each provider's own pricing page on 20 October 2026 for the figures below. Prices change often, so check again before you sign.
What do the main providers charge to buy or rent a machine?
Square and Zeller sell you the machine and charge no monthly rental. Tyro rents its terminals. CommBank does both: it sells the Smart Mini, a small reader that pairs with an app on your phone, and rents the full Smart terminal.
Square also lets you pay its hardware off interest-free, for example the Square Terminal at $28 a month over 12 months. A full point-of-sale register costs more. The Square Register is $1,099.
| Provider and machine | Buy or rent | Machine price | In-person card rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square Reader | Buy | $65 | 1.6% |
| Square Terminal | Buy | $329 | 1.6% |
| Zeller Terminal 1x or Terminal 2 | Buy | $99 on sale ($199 normally) | 1.4% |
| CommBank Smart Mini | Buy | $59 | 0.99% |
| CommBank Smart | Rent | $29.50 a month | 0.99% |
| Tyro Pro Lite | Rent | $19 a month | 1.3% |
| Tyro Pro Touch or Pro Key | Rent | $29 a month | 1.3% |
Why does the card fee matter more than the machine?
Every provider above also takes a percentage of each card payment, and over a year that adds up to far more than the machine. Here's an illustrative example. A business takes $15,000 a month on cards ($180,000 a year), none of it on American Express. We've used each provider's standard published price and rate and left out intro offers.
At that size the machine is between about 4% and 19% of the first-year cost. The rate does most of the work: a gap of 0.3 percentage points is worth $540 a year on $180,000 of card sales, which is more than a year's rental at any provider here.
Bigger businesses can usually get a quote below the published rate. Tyro offers custom quotes from $20,000 a month in card payments, Zeller from $250,000 a year, and CommBank on request. Once you're that size, treat the published rate as a starting point.
| Provider and machine | Machine, first year | Card fees, first year | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zeller Terminal 1x (bought) | $99 | $2,520 | $2,619 |
| Square Terminal (bought) | $329 | $2,880 | $3,209 |
| Tyro Pro Touch (rented) | $348 | $2,340 | $2,688 |
| CommBank Smart (rented) | $354 | $1,782 | $2,136 |
| FairPayments (Nuvei Preferred Partner) (rented) | $300 | $1,305 | $1,605 |
The first-year figures are cost only. On FairPayments the business also earns Velocity Points, 1 per $25 in card sales (about 7,200 points a year on $180,000), which the other providers' pricing pages don't list.
Is it cheaper to buy or rent an EFTPOS machine?
On the machine alone, buying wins. At Zeller's normal price of $199, a bought terminal costs the same as about seven months of a $29 rental, and after that it's yours.
Renting gets you support. CommBank says its rental covers maintenance, support, software and security updates and replacement terminals. If a machine you bought breaks, replacing it is up to you.
The downside of renting is that you pay every month whether you trade or not. CommBank says so in its own FAQ. That matters for seasonal businesses and anyone who only trades some weekends. Neither Tyro nor CommBank locks you into a contract, though CommBank asks for 30 days' notice to cancel.
Other EFTPOS fees to check before you sign
The machine and the rate are the big two, but smaller fees show up later. Ask for every fee in writing. Then work out your effective rate each month: all your fees divided by your card takings. That one number lets you compare providers fairly.
The table shows examples each provider publishes. Not every provider lists every fee, so ask about the ones you can't find.
| Fee | What it is | Published example |
|---|---|---|
| Joining or setup fee | A one-off charge to open your merchant facility | Tyro and CommBank publish no joining fee (CommBank may charge one on custom pricing if you settle to another bank) |
| Chargeback fee | Charged when a customer disputes a payment | CommBank: $30 per chargeback |
| Non-return or damage fee | Charged if a rented machine isn't returned or is damaged | CommBank: $500 per terminal |
| Paper rolls | Receipt paper for machines with a printer | CommBank: $5 for a 6-pack |
| Cancellation or break fee | Charged for leaving a contract early | Tyro: none. CommBank: no lock-in, 30 days' notice |
| American Express | Some providers charge Amex at a different rate | Square, Zeller and CommBank include Amex in their flat rate (CommBank subject to approval) |
Can you skip the machine and use your phone?
For some businesses, yes. Square and Tyro both let you take contactless card payments on your phone with no terminal and no monthly rental, and Zeller offers the same through its app. You still pay the normal card rate on every payment.
It's a good fit for low volumes, a market stall, or a tradie who takes the odd payment on site. A busy counter is usually better served by a proper terminal with a printer and a bigger screen.
Where does FairPayments fit?
For businesses in the auto industry (mechanics, panel beaters, car dealers and auto parts), wholesale food (butchers and grocers) and trade supplies, FairPayments (Nuvei Preferred Partner) is 0.95% on Visa and Mastercard, a flat 25c per eftpos transaction, and Amex optional at 1.65%. The terminal is $25 a month, free over $1 million a year on cards, and you earn 1 Velocity Point per $25 in card sales, paid to your business. The points are extra value on top of the rate, and ongoing points need at least $10,000 a month in card sales. Other businesses can call 1800 930 164. Our published rates list every fee.
Related reading
Common questions
How much does an EFTPOS machine cost in Australia?
Going by the prices Square, Zeller, Tyro and CommBank published on 20 October 2026, $59 to $329 to buy outright, or $19 to $29.50 a month to rent. On top of that you pay a fee on every card payment, from 0.99% to 1.6% at those providers' standard rates.
Is it better to buy or rent an EFTPOS machine?
Buying is cheaper on the machine itself, and a $199 terminal costs about the same as seven months of $29 rental. Renting can include support and a replacement if the machine fails, as it does at CommBank. For most businesses the card rate matters more than either, so compare rates first.
Can I get an EFTPOS machine for free?
Sometimes. Tyro's intro offer, when we checked, included free terminal rental until 31 March 2027 (terms apply). Square and Zeller charge no rental, but you buy the machine. FairPayments' terminal is free once you take over $1 million a year on cards. You can also take contactless payments on your phone with no machine at Square, Tyro and Zeller.
Do I still pay EFTPOS rental if I don't take any payments?
Usually, yes. CommBank's FAQ says its monthly rental is charged whether you take payments or not. If you trade seasonally, a machine you own outright may suit you better.
What other EFTPOS fees should I expect?
Ask about joining fees, chargeback fees (CommBank charges $30), non-return or damage fees on rented machines (CommBank charges $500), paper rolls, cancellation terms and how American Express is charged. Then divide all your monthly fees by your card takings to get your effective rate.
Can I take card payments on my phone instead of an EFTPOS machine?
Yes. Square and Tyro let you take contactless payments on your phone with no terminal and no rental, and Zeller does the same through its app. You still pay the normal card rate. It suits low volumes and mobile work better than a busy counter.
How much does the FairPayments terminal cost?
$25 a month, and free once you take over $1 million a year on cards. FairPayments (Nuvei Preferred Partner) is 0.95% on Visa and Mastercard and a flat 25c per eftpos transaction, with Amex optional at 1.65%, for the auto industry, wholesale food and trade supplies. Other businesses can call 1800 930 164.