Surcharges, Swipe Fees & Strategy: Preparing for the RBA Ban, with Larry Prosser

In this episode of Bean There Done That, host Phil Di Bella sits down with Larry Prosser, Executive Director of Beyond Payments, to unpack the Reserve Bank of Australia’s proposed ban on card surcharges. They break down what this policy really means for consumers, merchants, and banks—and why the supposed “savings” for customers might actually backfire.

Larry explains how surcharges evolved, why compliance matters, and the hidden costs bundled into merchant fees. Phil pushes the conversation into real-world territory: shrinking café margins, the politics behind RBA decisions, and the practical steps small businesses must take now.

It’s an eye-opening look into the payments industry, packed with insights every business owner and everyday consumer needs to hear.

Key Topics and Themes

• The history of surcharging and RBA policy shifts

• Why banning surcharges may increase prices instead of lowering them

• The impact of shrinking café and hospitality profit margins

• How banks and POS providers bundle hidden fees into merchant services

• The ethical approach Beyond Payments takes with transparency and compliance

• The bigger picture: industry bodies, political motives, and small business survival

About Our Guest

Larry Prosser is the Executive Director of Beyond Payments, Australia’s first fully compliant “fee-less” EFTPOS provider. Since 2013, Beyond Payments has helped thousands of merchants recover 100% of their merchant service fees through transparent and compliant surcharge mechanisms. Larry is a passionate advocate for small business, pushing for fairness, compliance, and practical solutions in the payments space.

More at: beyondpayments.com.au

Key Takeaways

• The RBA’s proposed ban on surcharges may sound good for consumers but will likely push prices up across cafés and restaurants.

• Merchant fees are not “free”—bundled POS solutions often hide costs in other ways.

• Debit card fees remain one of the most unfair charges facing consumers today.

• Transparency, compliance, and constant vigilance are essential for small businesses when choosing merchant service providers.

• Small business survival depends on understanding merchant fees and demanding fairness from banks and fintechs.

Links and Resources

• Beyond Payments – beyondpayments.com.au

• The Coffee Commune – coffeecommune.com.au

• Time-Stamped Highlights:

  • 00:31 – Introduction to guest Larry Prosser and Beyond Payments

  • 02:19 – The rise of surcharges since 2013 and consumer adoption

  • 06:15 – How shrinking profit margins make merchant fees critical

  • 09:20 – The RBA’s proposed surcharge ban explained in plain terms

  • 12:10 – Why the ban will likely push prices higher, not lower

  • 14:28 – Interchange fees, card schemes, and hidden costs

  • 20:05 – The double-dipping problem with debit card fees

  • 26:00 – What business owners should do right now to protect themselves

  • 31:00 – Horror stories: POS providers forcing payment gateways

  • 33:45 – What the ideal system for merchants, banks, and consumers should look like

  • 36:40 – The risk of more café closures and the pressure on small business

Tune in now to understand the truth behind card surcharges, the RBA’s proposed changes, and what it all means for your local café or business. Bean There Done That is available on all major podcast platforms.

Produced by The Podcast Boss

#Coffee #Hospitality #SmallBusiness #Payments #Australia #Fintech #Podcast