Payments and prices · English through Australian life
Australian Café Surcharges and Payments: English Guide (2026)
Learn the English for café bills, weekend surcharges, public holidays, receipts and payment questions.
Published 14/10/2026 · Educational guide
What you need to know
A café surcharge is an extra charge added to a bill. It matters whether the charge is for paying with a card or for visiting at certain times.
From 1 October 2026, eftpos, Visa and Mastercard introduced no-surcharge network rules for their cards, subject to exceptions. The change does not remove properly disclosed weekend or public-holiday surcharges. Check the RBA and ACCC for current details.
Read the menu before ordering. A weekend or public-holiday surcharge should be prominently displayed. Ask for the final price if you are unsure.
Useful English phrases
- Is there a public-holiday surcharge today?
- Could you tell me the total before I pay?
- May I have a receipt, please?
- Could you explain this extra charge?
Real-life conversation practice
Customer: Is there a surcharge today?
Staff: Yes, our public-holiday surcharge is listed on the menu.
Customer: Thanks for explaining. Could I see the total before paying?
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Try it yourself
Practise the conversation with a friend. Swap roles, use one new phrase, then ask a polite clarification question. Speak slowly first, then repeat at a natural pace.
Phrase Wall practice: use this phrase
Could you explain this extra charge?
Say the example aloud, then try it in a real conversation. Discover more useful phrases and save your favourites to My Learning.
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Practise this English in real life
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Continue learning
- Café English hub
- How to order coffee in Australia
- Café workplace English
- Your First Café Job in Australia: Useful English for New Staff
- How to Take a Customer’s Coffee Order in English
Official Australian references
These independent authorities provide the underlying regulatory or safety guidance. Links are external references, not sponsorships or endorsements.
This is an English-learning article. For current legal, workplace or health requirements, follow the linked official guidance and your organisation's procedures.