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Top payment gateways in Australia

Last update: April 18, 2025

Contents

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.

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.

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 100+ 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.

Rick Hill has worked in payments and financial services for the past nine years. He began his career at a large institutional bank and has since worked across startups and scaleups. Over the past four years, his experience with e-commerce retailers has led him to believe that WorldFirst will be crucial in helping brands expand globally by demystifying the complexities of entering new markets.

Rick Hill

Author

Head of Sales ANZ at WorldFirst

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Top payment gateways in Australia

What is a payment provider?