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Rent-tech platforms dodge Australia's card surcharge ban with new fees

Australia's central bank banned card surcharges, but tenants are now being told to seek free payment options; the fee has simply changed its name.

On air: Gloria Vance and Vera Bullock on BBN Newsroom
Published 10:36 AM ET, Monday, October 12, 2026

At a glance

First reported by The Guardian: “Rent-tech platforms sidestepping credit card surcharge ban with new fees and paid ‘memberships’”.
Covered on BBN on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 10:36 AM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Gloria Vance and Vera Bullock.
Topics: Australia, US.
BBN covered this story before: Hurricane Simon nears Mexico's Jalisco coast; Greens seek execution… (October 11).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIn Australia this morning, the central bank has banned surcharges on credit card payments, and online rental platforms have responded by finding other ways to charge tenants.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe Guardian reports some platforms now add new fees, while others push renters toward paid memberships.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorTenants are being encouraged to look for the free payment options.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo the rule said no surcharge, and they came back with a membership. That's actually creative. Somebody in that office has a very clear mindset.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe charge was removed and then reinstated under a different name.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe renter's bank balance can tell the difference between those two things only in the wrong direction.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorA membership, though. Do you get a tote bag?
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorYou get the privilege of paying your rent. I have covered ministries that were less ambitious about it.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorNext they'll sell a premium tier where the rent arrives on time.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorPossibly with a gold badge. The regulator wrote one rule, and the industry wrote a loophole before the ink was dry.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorStill the most innovative thing a landlord has done.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe only thing they innovated was the invoice.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorAlso in Australia, the online safety commissioner is weighing how to limit Australians seeing a planned American livestream of an execution.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorAny move could strain relations with Washington.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThat is a heavy decision for one regulator, and it deserves careful thought.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSeparately, Australia's gender equality agency says part-time bosses and co-CEOs could keep more women in senior jobs and narrow the pay gap.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorTwo people sharing one big chair. I'd split the chair, and the snacks.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorChip has America next, and I'm told nobody there has been asked to pay a membership fee.