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.