---
title: Applying a Service Charge to Bookings (AU & NZ Only)
description: Learn how the Service Charge works and what changes from 1 October 2026
---

[Skip to content](https://help.classmanager.com/applying-a-service-charge-to-bookings-au-nz-only#main-content)

English

Show submenu for translations

![classmanager-logo-1.png\]](https://help.classmanager.com/hs-fs/hubfs/classmanager-logo-1.png?width=196&height=35&name=classmanager-logo-1.png)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- English
  
  Show submenu for translations
- Go to Class Manager

 Go to Class Manager

 Hello. How can we help you?

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [Classic Class Manager Knowledge Base](https://help.classmanager.com/?hsLang=en)
2. [Payments](https://help.classmanager.com/payments?hsLang=en)

# Applying a Service Charge to Bookings (AU & NZ Only)

## Learn how the Service Charge works and what changes from 1 October 2026

From 1 October 2026, new Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) rules restrict businesses from passing card payment costs on to customers through a separate surcharge.

You can still recover your software costs by applying a **Service Charge** in Class Manager, provided it is a genuine booking, administration or service fee that is applied consistently to **all** customers, however they pay.

📝 Important Notes:

 • The Service Charge cannot be a way to pass on card processing fees.  
• The Service Charge must apply to **all bookings**, regardless of payment method (including card, Direct Debit, cash and any other method).  
• The Service Charge must **not be avoided, increased or varied** based on the customer’s chosen payment method.  
• If a fee only applies to card payments, or is higher for card payments, it may be treated as a prohibited card payment surcharge rather than a legitimate service fee.  
• You can configure the Service Charge as a **percentage** or a **fixed amount**.  
• This feature is available for accounts in **Australia and New Zealand** only.

---

### **Stripe (Debit/Credit Card Payments)**

To enable service charges under card payments:

1. On the left menu, go to Billing
2. Select Settings
3. Open Payment Methods
4. Click Edit on the **Debit/Credit Card** section
5. Toggle on Service Charge Amount to Customer
6. Click Save

After saving, a new section called **Service Charge Settings** will appear at the bottom of the page.

From there, you can:

- Enter the **percentage**
- Enter a **fixed amount**
- Save your changes

Once enabled, the configured service charge will be applied to future card payments.

---

### **GoCardless (Direct Debit)**

To enable service charges under GoCardless payments:

1. Go to Billing
2. Select Settings
3. Click GoCardless
4. Go to Settings tab
5. Toggle on Service Charge Amount to Customer
6. Enter the **percentage** and/or **fixed amount**
7. Click Save

The configured service charge will apply to future direct debit payments.

---

### **After enabling this feature**

- Previously processed payments will not be changed
- Only payments made via Stripe or GoCardless will include the configured service charge

- [Getting Started](https://help.classmanager.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Onboarding](https://help.classmanager.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#onboarding)
- [Features](https://help.classmanager.com/features?hsLang=en)
- [Staff](https://help.classmanager.com/staff?hsLang=en)
- [Students](https://help.classmanager.com/students?hsLang=en)
- [Customers](https://help.classmanager.com/customers?hsLang=en)
- [Classes](https://help.classmanager.com/classes?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Register and Attendance](https://help.classmanager.com/classes?hsLang=en#register-and-attendance)
    - [Class Trials](https://help.classmanager.com/classes?hsLang=en#class-trials)
- [Online Registration](https://help.classmanager.com/online-registration?hsLang=en)
- [Invoices](https://help.classmanager.com/invoices?hsLang=en)
- [Payments](https://help.classmanager.com/payments?hsLang=en)
- [Point of Sale](https://help.classmanager.com/point-of-sale?hsLang=en)
- [Parent Portal](https://help.classmanager.com/parent-portal?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Admin Portal Management](https://help.classmanager.com/parent-portal?hsLang=en#admin-portal-management)
    - [Customer Portal Guide](https://help.classmanager.com/parent-portal?hsLang=en#customer-portal-guide)
- [Online Class Enrolment](https://help.classmanager.com/online-class-enrolment?hsLang=en)
- [Messaging](https://help.classmanager.com/messaging?hsLang=en)
- [Discounts](https://help.classmanager.com/discounts?hsLang=en)
- [Growth Plan](https://help.classmanager.com/growth-plan?hsLang=en)
- [Settings](https://help.classmanager.com/settings?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Custom Attributes](https://help.classmanager.com/settings?hsLang=en#custom-attributes)
    - [Account](https://help.classmanager.com/settings?hsLang=en#account)
- [Release Notes](https://help.classmanager.com/release-notes?hsLang=en)
- [Website](https://help.classmanager.com/website?hsLang=en)

[![](https://help.classmanager.com/hs-fs/hubfs/class-manager-logo-1.png?width=262&height=40&name=class-manager-logo-1.png)](http://classmanager.io)

Class Manager Help Center

Copyright © 2025, Class Manager and Stage Stubs