Card Fees, PayID or Bank Transfer: What Costs a Cleaner Less?
Compare card, online invoice, PayID and bank-transfer costs for cleaners, including payment speed, unpaid admin and Australia's changing surcharge rules.
Key takeaways
- Compare payment cost at the actual invoice values the business uses.
- Include time spent matching transfers and chasing missing references.
- Australia's card-surcharge rules change from 1 October 2026.
- Payment choice should protect both margin and payment speed.
The cheapest payment method is not always the one with the lowest visible fee. Bank transfer may have no transaction charge but create more checking and follow-up. Card payments cost a percentage but can remove friction and shorten the wait. The useful comparison includes the fee, administration, customer convenience and likelihood of being paid promptly.
Current advertised card costs
As checked on 2 August 2026:
- Stripe advertises 1.7% plus A$0.30 for domestic online card payments, with fees including GST.
- Square advertises 1.6% for in-person card transactions and 2.2% for online transactions. Account history or custom pricing may change the actual rate.
Always check the provider account and current pricing page before publishing a fixed comparison.
What the fee looks like on normal cleaning invoices
| Invoice | Stripe domestic online | Square in person | Square online |
|---|---|---|---|
| A$100 | A$2.00 | A$1.60 | A$2.20 |
| A$250 | A$4.55 | A$4.00 | A$5.50 |
| A$500 | A$8.80 | A$8.00 | A$11.00 |
These examples use the advertised base rates above and do not include international cards, currency conversion, disputes, instant transfers, Afterpay or custom pricing.
Bank transfer and PayID
Bank transfer or PayID can be simple and low-cost when:
- the customer uses the correct reference
- the cleaner checks payments regularly
- the invoice system makes the bank details clear
- late payments are followed up consistently
The hidden cost appears when the owner spends time searching bank transactions, asking which payment belongs to which job or reminding customers who intended to transfer later.
A zero transaction fee is not a zero-cost process if it creates unpaid admin every week.
Payment links and online invoices
A customer who can tap a link and pay immediately has fewer steps between receiving the invoice and completing it.
That can be worth more than the transaction fee when it:
- reduces late payment
- removes manual bank matching
- gives the customer a clear receipt
- allows deposits or balances to stay linked to the job
Do not claim that card payments guarantee faster payment. Measure the business's own result.
Card surcharges are changing
Until 30 September 2026, businesses must follow the current Australian rules, including limits on card surcharges and price-display requirements.
From 1 October 2026, eftpos, Mastercard, Visa and American Express have decided to apply no-surcharge rules to the relevant card payments. Businesses will still incur card-acceptance costs, but those costs may need to be reflected in overall pricing rather than charged as a separate card surcharge.
Pick a primary method and keep an alternative
A practical setup might be:
- online card payment as the fastest default
- bank transfer or PayID as the fee-free alternative
- in-person Square payment for onsite collection
The best mix depends on customer type and invoice value. Commercial clients may prefer bank transfer. Residential customers may pay a card link instantly.
The bottom line
Compare payment cost at the actual invoice values the business uses. Include time spent matching transfers and chasing missing references. Australia's card-surcharge rules change from 1 October 2026. Payment choice should protect both margin and payment speed.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common questions about this topic.
The rules change from 1 October 2026. Check the current ACCC, RBA and provider rules at the time of charging. Do not rely on an old article or contract setting.
Sources and further reading
We prioritise official, primary, and current sources. Links were last checked on the dates shown.
- Pricing and fees — Stripe Australia. Checked 2 August 2026.
- Square processing fees and pricing — Square Australia. Checked 2 August 2026.
- Card surcharges — Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Checked 2 August 2026.
- Review of Retail Payments Regulation: conclusions paper FAQs — Reserve Bank of Australia. Checked 2 August 2026.
About the author
Tidyly Editorial Team
The Tidyly Editorial Team creates practical guidance for Australian cleaning businesses using product experience, first-party examples, and current primary sources.
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