and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Always consult a

Getting paid on-site by card is increasingly expected by Australian

clients. A tradie who can only take bank transfer is increasingly at a

disadvantage when competing with businesses that offer tap-and-go

payment on completion. The question is which card payment solution to

use -- and for tradies in the field, the options have expanded

significantly.

This guide compares the three most relevant payment platforms for

Australian tradies: Square, Stripe and Tyro, covering transaction fees,

hardware costs, settlement speed, and which type of business each suits

best.

What You're Actually Comparing

Card payment for tradies involves two things: the physical terminal (or

the phone-based reader) and the payment processing platform behind it.

The platform determines the transaction fees, settlement speed,

reporting, and integration with your accounting software. The hardware

determines how you actually take payment on site.

Square

Square is the most widely used card payment solution among small

Australian tradespeople. Its appeal is simplicity: there are no monthly

fees, no terminal rental, and no lock-in contract. You buy the reader

outright (the Square Reader for contactless and chip is around $65),

connect it to your phone or tablet, and pay a flat transaction fee of

1.6% on every card tap or dip.

The Square Reader connects via Bluetooth and works with both iOS and

Android. The Square app handles payments, sends digital receipts, and

provides basic transaction reporting. Square integrates with Xero and

other accounting software, and settlements appear in your bank account

the next business day.

Square also offers more advanced hardware -- the Square Terminal is a

standalone device with a built-in receipt printer, suitable for tradies

who want a more professional presentation, though at a higher upfront

cost (approximately $399).

The 1.6% flat rate is competitive for smaller transaction values. For

high-value transactions (a $3,000 bathroom renovation payment, for

example), 1.6% is $48 -- which is worth considering against the cost of

waiting for a bank transfer.

Stripe

Stripe is primarily known as an online payment processing platform, but

it offers in-person payment through the Stripe Reader (approximately

$99) which works via Bluetooth to the Stripe app. Transaction fees are

1.7% for card-present transactions.

Stripe's main strength is its flexibility and its developer ecosystem --

it's extensively customisable for businesses that want to build payment

into their own software or website. For a tradie looking for a simple

tap-and-go solution in the field, Stripe's in-person offering is capable

but the setup is slightly more technical than Square's.

Where Stripe shines for tradies is online payment links -- you can send a

client an invoice with a payment link and they pay by card online

without a terminal present. This is useful for commercial clients,

interstate invoicing, or clients who prefer to pay from their computer

rather than on site.

Tyro

Tyro is a different proposition from Square and Stripe. It's an

Australian-founded specialist payments company focused on businesses

with physical presence, including hospitality, retail and professional

services. Tyro offers EFTPOS terminals that accept all card types

(including American Express), EFTPOS, tap-and-go, and even EFTPOS

cash-out.

Tyro's terminals are typically rented rather than purchased outright --

monthly rental starts at approximately $29/month -- and transaction fees

are typically in the 0.7-1.8% range depending on your monthly volume and

contract terms.

The Tyro Go app allows you to accept payments through your phone using a

Bluetooth reader, making it practical for field use. Tyro integrates

with major accounting platforms and settles the next business day.

Tyro's main advantage is often better rates at higher volume and strong

EFTPOS acceptance (some Square and Stripe readers have had issues with

traditional EFTPOS cards in the past, though this has improved). For

tradies doing frequent high-value transactions, Tyro's rate negotiation

potential at higher volumes is worth considering.

Transaction Fee Comparison

At 1.6-1.9% per transaction, card payment fees are not trivial for

tradies. On $30,000 of monthly card transactions, fees would be

$480-$570 per month. On $100,000 of monthly card transactions, that's

$1,600-$1,900.

Bank transfer costs you nothing in transaction fees and should remain

your primary payment method for large invoices. Card payment is most

sensible for:

  • Smaller jobs where the convenience value outweighs the fee (under

$500)

  • Clients who specifically want to pay by card for points or

convenience

  • On-site completion of jobs where waiting for a bank transfer creates

awkwardness

  • Situations where immediate payment is preferred over waiting for

bank transfer to clear

Surcharging

Under Australian consumer law, you're allowed to pass the card

processing fee on to the client as a surcharge, provided the surcharge

doesn't exceed your actual cost of acceptance. Many small businesses do

this -- "a 1.6% card surcharge applies" -- which effectively makes card

acceptance free to the business.

The surcharge must be disclosed clearly before payment is made and must

not exceed your actual cost. Some clients dislike surcharges; others

accept them as standard. If you choose to surcharge, make sure it's

disclosed on your invoices and quote documents.

Which One for Your Trade Business?

Square is the best starting point for most tradies -- zero monthly fees,

easy setup, reliable hardware, and clear flat-rate pricing. Start with

Square if you're new to card payments or have lower monthly card

transaction volume.

Stripe is worth considering if you want online payment links integrated

into your invoices, or if you're building a more sophisticated payments

setup for your business.

Tyro suits tradies with higher monthly transaction volumes who want to

negotiate rates, or those who need robust EFTPOS acceptance and are

comfortable with a monthly rental model.

All three are reliable, well-supported platforms. For most tradies,

starting with Square and reconsidering at higher volumes is the path of

least resistance.

General Information Only: This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
## Setting Up Your Payment Terminal: Practical On-Site Installation Tips for Australian Tradies Getting a payment terminal working reliably on job sites across Australia means understanding both the hardware setup and the connectivity challenges you'll face. Whether you're on a residential renovation in Melbourne or a commercial job in rural Queensland, your payment solution needs to work when mobile coverage is patchy and conditions are dusty. **Physical Setup and Device Protection** All three providers (Square, Stripe, and Tyro) offer rugged hardware designed for outdoor use, but installation matters. Keep your device in a weatherproof case or pouch when you're not actively processing payments. Building sites are notoriously tough on electronics – concrete dust, water spray from cleaning, and temperature fluctuations can damage unprotected devices. Square's hardware tends to be the most compact for pocket carry, while Tyro's terminals are bulkier but more robust if dropped. Stripe falls somewhere in between. Mount your payment terminal away from the job's main water source and direct sunlight. If you're working in hot Australian conditions (and let's face it, most of the year qualifies), excessive heat degrades battery life quickly. A simple weatherproof box kept in your vehicle's cabin works well – you can still retrieve it quickly when the client's ready to pay. **Internet Connectivity Solutions** This is where most tradies run into trouble. Square and Stripe both require internet connectivity to process payments, though they can queue transactions if your connection drops temporarily. Tyro also works best with internet but has superior offline functionality – it can process payments and store them locally, syncing when you're back online. If you're regularly working in areas with poor mobile coverage, consider: - A dedicated mobile hotspot device (separate from your work phone) - A second SIM card on a different network for backup - Upgrading to a plan with better regional coverage before taking the job Test your connectivity at the job site before invoicing the client. There's nothing more embarrassing than standing there with a payment terminal that won't connect while your client's ready to pay. **Integrating with Your Business Software** Once payments are processed, you need to get that data into your accounting and job management systems quickly. If you're using Tradify for job costing and scheduling, Square integrates reasonably well. Tyro integrates with most major Australian accounting platforms including Xero, making end-of-month reconciliation straightforward. For tax purposes, whatever system you choose, ensure payment data syncs to your accounting software daily. The ATO expects accurate transaction records, and manual entry of payments creates compliance risk. With Australia's current superannuation guarantee rate at 11.5% and $30,000 annual cap, you need clean financial records for tax planning anyway. ## Managing Payment Disputes and Chargebacks: What Australian Tradies Need to Know Chargebacks and payment disputes are a real cost of accepting card payments on site. Understanding how each provider handles these situations protects your business and your cash flow. **How Disputes Work with Each Provider** Square handles disputes through a straightforward process: if a customer claims they didn't authorise a payment or received poor service, Square charges a $15 dispute fee and holds the funds while investigating. You have 7 days to provide evidence that the work was completed satisfactorily. For tradies, this means photographing completed work before requesting payment and keeping client signatures on quotes. Stripe's dispute process is similar but charges $15 per dispute and may be stricter about evidence requirements. They focus heavily on transaction documentation – receipts, photos, and client confirmation all matter. Tyro typically has lower dispute rates among Australian merchants (partly because it's used more by established businesses), and their dispute fee is around $20, but they're generally more merchant-friendly in dispute resolution if you've documented the work properly. **Protecting Yourself from Chargebacks** The best protection is documentation. Before payment: - Take photos of the completed work from multiple angles - Get written client sign-off on the quote and completion checklist - Send an SMS or email confirmation that work is complete and payment is being requested - Keep the client's name and contact details clearly recorded For jobs over $5,000, consider requesting a deposit upfront via bank transfer (to your business account, which you can verify against your ABN), with the balance due on completion via card. This splits your risk. If you're regularly doing high-value work, consider liability insurance through BizCover that includes coverage for payment disputes and fraud. **Handling Disputes Professionally** When a dispute is raised, respond within 48 hours with evidence. Don't get defensive – provide clear, timestamped photos, written communication with the client, and any signed documents. Payment processors respect merchants who take disputes seriously and document thoroughly.

TIP: Always photograph completed work before requesting payment, even for small jobs. Use your smartphone's timestamp feature and include a photo with the client present if possible. This creates undeniable evidence if a chargeback occurs, and most payment processors will rule in your favour if you have visual proof of completed work.

## Quick Comparison: Key Features for Australian Tradies | Feature | Square | Stripe | Tyro | |---------|--------|--------|------| | **Setup time** | 15 minutes | 30-45 minutes | 2-3 business days (verification) | | **Transaction fees** | 1.75% + 30c | 1.75% + 30c | 1.65-1.95% (volume-dependent) | | **Monthly fees** | None | None | $0-60 depending on plan | | **Offline capability** | Limited queuing | Limited queuing | Full offline processing | | **Australian support** | Chat/email only | Chat/email/phone | Local phone support | | **Integration** | Good with most platforms | Excellent technical integration | Strong with Xero, MYOB | | **Best for** | Casual jobs, quick setup | Tech-forward tradies | High-volume operators | ## Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim my payment terminal fees as a business tax deduction?

Yes – payment processing fees are legitimate business expenses. Record all transaction fees separately in your accounting software for easy tracking. At tax time, these appear as a business expense that reduces your taxable income. Keep monthly statements from your payment provider for ATO records. If you're claiming the terminal device itself as a business asset under $20,000, you can claim it as an instant write-off until 30 June 2026 under the current tax rules.

What happens if I get paid in cash – do I still need a card terminal?

Legally, you don't need one, but practically speaking, Australian clients increasingly expect card payment options. Many clients prefer card for business-to-business transactions (easier to categorise as expenses) and it's safer than carrying large amounts of cash on job sites. From a business perspective, card payments create automatic records for tax purposes – cash requires manual recording and creates compliance risk. Having a terminal makes you more competitive when bidding against other tradies.

Which payment terminal integrates best with job management software?

Tyro integrates most seamlessly with Australian job management platforms, particularly Xero and MYOB. Square works well with Tradify. If you're using a niche tradie-specific platform, check their integration documentation before committing to a payment provider – poor integration means manual data entry, which wastes time and creates accounting errors.