Since 1 October 2026, Australian businesses can no longer add a separate surcharge to eligible Visa, Mastercard, American Express and eftpos card payments. The idea was to make prices clearer for customers. For cafes and other small businesses that used surcharges to cover the cost of taking card payments, it has created a new problem.

Early data suggests some cafes have responded by raising their coffee prices. A survey of more than 10,000 cafes found about one in five lifted prices in October, often by 50 cents. Other transaction data tells a different story, with most businesses leaving prices alone.

Wages, rent and supplier costs are already squeezing small businesses, so owners now have to decide what to do with payment processing fees. They can absorb them, build them into advertised prices, or look at other payment arrangements.

This article looks at how the surcharge ban is playing out for cafes and small businesses, what’s driving price changes, and how to manage merchant fees without hurting your profit.

Setting financial performance targets gives Australian business owners a clearer direction for managing their finances and planning for growth. Without measurable targets, it can be difficult to determine whether revenue is increasing at a sustainable rate, expenses are under control, or the business is generating enough profit to support its long-term goals.

Financial targets help turn business ambitions into practical objectives. These may include increasing revenue, improving profit margins, maintaining sufficient cash reserves, reducing debt, or achieving a specific return on investment. The right targets depend on the business’s industry, size, financial position, and stage of development.

This guide explains how Australian business owners can establish realistic financial performance targets, select meaningful financial indicators, use historical results to set benchmarks and monitor progress throughout the financial year. It also explores how professional financial advice can help businesses make informed decisions and improve long-term financial performance.

Australian motorists and businesses are facing continued pressure from elevated oil prices, with global energy market uncertainty pushing petrol and diesel costs well above pre-conflict levels. Although fuel prices have eased slightly from recent peaks, the outlook remains uncertain, and forecasts suggest oil prices may not return to earlier levels until 2030.

The impact extends beyond the petrol station. Higher fuel prices can increase freight, delivery, production and operating costs, potentially flowing through to the prices of groceries and other everyday goods. They can also place additional pressure on inflation and influence expectations for future interest rate decisions.

For Australian households, this means budgeting carefully and preparing for potentially higher living expenses. For small business owners, it highlights the importance of monitoring cash flow, reviewing operating costs, and planning for different economic scenarios.

This article examines the reasons behind the oil price surge, its potential effects on Australia’s economy and the practical steps households and businesses can take to manage ongoing cost pressures.