Top payment gateways in Australia
Last updated: 18 April 2025
Explore top payment gateways in Australia to streamline transactions, ensure security and expand your business globally.
Key takeaways:
- Choose payment gateways that support credit cards, mobile wallets and global payment options to meet customer preferences
- Opt for compliant providers with robust fraud detection to protect sensitive financial data
- Ensure seamless compatibility with your website, e-commerce platforms and business systems for smooth operations
- Review all fees, including setup, transaction and processing costs, to maintain profitability.
Card payments in Australia are projected to grow at more than 6% CAGR, during 2024-2028. As this growth continues, e-commerce shoppers increasingly prefer the convenience and security of online payments. For sellers, offering reliable online payment methods is no longer optional—it’s essential to meet customer expectations and stay competitive.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best payment gateway options to help you streamline transactions and grow your business.
Table of Contents
What is a payment provider?
A payment provider helps businesses accept payments online or in person, acting as a secure middleman between the customer and the business. It processes transactions and ensures funds are transferred safely. These providers support various payment methods, including cards, mobile wallets and sometimes bank transfers, while handling the technical and security aspects of payments.
Factors to consider when choosing a payment gateway provider
When selecting a payment gateway provider, it’s important to evaluate several factors to ensure it meets the needs of your business and your customers. Here are the key considerations:
Supported payment methods
Make sure the provider supports the payment methods your customers prefer, like credit cards, debit cards, mobile wallets, BNPL, or alternative payment options.
International support
If you’re collecting payments from customers overseas, check the number of currencies supported and global payment methods for seamless transactions.
Security
Choose a provider with robust security measures like encryption, fraud detection and PCI DSS compliance to protect sensitive customer data.
Integrations
Ensure the gateway integrates seamlessly with your website, e-commerce platform, or other systems, especially if you’re selling on Amazon or similar platforms.
Costs
Review all associated fees, including transaction fees, setup costs, monthly charges and any hidden fees.
Customer support
Reliable customer support is essential, especially if issues arise with transactions or system downtime.
Compliance
Verify that the provider adheres to industry standards and regulatory requirements, particularly if you’re handling sensitive financial data.
Ease of use
The payment gateway should offer a smooth experience for both you and your customers, with intuitive interfaces and straightforward processes.
Speed of transactions
Efficient processing times are crucial to ensure customers aren’t left waiting and you receive your funds quickly.
Customisation options
Look for providers that allow you to customise the checkout experience to align with your brand and optimise conversions.
Scalability
If your business grows, the payment gateway should scale with you, accommodating increased transaction volumes and additional features.
- Open 15+ local currency accounts and get paid like a local
- Pay suppliers, partners and staff worldwide in 100+ currencies
- Collect payments for free from 130+ marketplaces and payment gateways, including Amazon, Etsy, PayPal and Shopify
- Take control of spending with the World Card, a business expense card that saves you more with 1% cashback. Learn more
- Save with competitive exchange rates on currency conversions and transfers
- Lock in exchange rates for up to 24 months for cash flow certainty
Top payment gateways in Australia
Now that you know what to look for in a payment provider, here are the top payment gateways for Australian business owners:
Stripe
Stripe is a comprehensive payment processing platform that enables businesses to accept online payments securely and efficiently. It supports a wide range of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay and various local payment options. Stripe’s robust API allows for seamless integration with websites and mobile applications, making it a popular choice for businesses aiming to customise their payment processes.
Pros
- Supports over 135 currencies, facilitating international transactions and expanding customer bases
- Provides advanced fraud detection tools and complies with PCI DSS standards, ensuring secure transactions
- Offers extensive APIs and documentation, enabling tailored payment solutions to meet specific business needs
Cons
- The extensive customisation options may be overwhelming for businesses without technical expertise
- Issues with account holds and disputes can disrupt business operations
Square
Square is a payment processing platform designed for both online and in-person transactions. It offers a range of hardware options, such as card readers and point-of-sale (POS) systems, enabling businesses to accept payments via credit and debit cards, mobile wallets and contactless methods. Square’s user-friendly interface and transparent pricing make it a popular choice among small to medium-sized enterprises.
Pros
- Intuitive design allows businesses to set up and operate the system with minimal training, streamlining the payment process
- No monthly fees for the basic plan and a flat transaction fee structure
- Payments are encrypted end-to-end
Cons
- Services are primarily available in select countries
- For businesses with large transaction volumes, Square’s flat-rate fees might be less cost-effective compared to other providers offering volume discounts
PayPal
PayPal is a leading payment platform offering secure and seamless transactions, making it a preferred option for businesses and individuals engaging in online commerce and money transfers worldwide. Its reputation for reliability and ease of integration with various platforms further enhances its appeal.
Pros
- Strong security measures, including encryption and fraud detection, to protect users’ financial information
- Offers dispute resolution and refund options for eligible transactions, enhancing consumer confidence
- Integrates easily with numerous e-commerce platforms, marketplaces and apps, simplifying payment processing for businesses
Cons
- The pricing structure can be a bit confusing as the fees for each transaction will vary depending on the purpose of the transaction, mode of transfer, and the payment currency
- Difficulties in reaching effective customer support leading to delays
Shopify Payments
Shopify Payments is Shopify’s integrated payment gateway, enabling merchants to accept payments directly through their online stores without the need for third-party payment gateways. It’s designed specifically for Shopify users, offering features like automatic integration, real-time tracking of payments within the Shopify dashboard and reduced transaction fees compared to external gateways.
Pros
- As a native feature, Shopify Payments integrates effortlessly with your Shopify store, simplifying setup and management
- Offers clear, flat-rate transaction fees
- Provides prompt access to funds, typically within two business days, enhancing cash flow
Cons
- Only accessible in select countries, which may restrict some merchants
- Shopify Payments charges a fee for each chargeback, which can add up for businesses with higher instances of disputes
Save more on international payments with WorldFirst
If your payment gateways allow adding multiple bank accounts for different currencies, it’s possible to avoid unnecessary currency conversions and sell like a local through virtual currency accounts.
WorldFirst allows you to open local accounts in multiple currencies and link them to your payment gateway to save on transaction fees and protect your profit margins.
You can set up a World Account to accept payments from 130+ marketplaces and payment gateways in 20+ currencies, including GBP, USD, EUR, CAD, JPY, AUD, SGD, NZD, HKD and CNH.
With a World Account, you can
- Collect payments from 130+ global marketplaces and payment gateways, including Amazon, eBay, Etsy, AliExpress, Stripe, Shopify, and PayPal
- Hold your earnings in the original currency to fund supplier payments or withdraw them to your bank account at competitive exchange rates
- Send and receive payments in 90+ currencies
Disclaimer: The information contained is general only and largely our views. Before acting on the information you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy and it may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions, estimates, mentioned products/services and referenced material constitute the author’s own judgement as of the date of the briefing and are subject to change without notice. WorldFirst shall not be responsible for any losses or damages arising from your reliance of such information.
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