ACCC GUIDANCE ON THE CASH ACCEPTANCE INDUSTRY CODES

A new cash acceptance mandate with 2 industry codes started on 1 January 2026. The ACCC has published guidance about the cash acceptance codes, exemptions,  and how they will be enforced.

Complying with the codes

About the codes

Supermarket and fuel retailers must make sure customers are provided with a reasonable opportunity to pay in cash at certain retail sites. Cash must be accepted:

• for in-person payments only
• when transactions are $500 or less, and
• between the hours of 7am to 9pm.

The cash acceptance rules do not apply to any other industries.

These rules also do not apply to:

• some small businesses with a turnover of less than $10 million a year
• fuel retail sites that don’t regularly sell unleaded petrol.
  

However, the rules do apply to small business retailers that use a registered trademark which is also used by a large retailer.

See case study examples of businesses where the codes do and don’t apply.

Exemptions from the codes

There are specific circumstances where a supermarket or fuel retailer can apply for an exemption from accepting cash payments under the codes. Broadly, these are:

• exceptional circumstances, and
• costs posing a significant risk to a business’ continued feasibility.
  

See the categories of exemptions and case study examples.

Applying for an exemption

Supermarket and fuel retailers that consider their circumstances may warrant an exemption are encouraged to apply to the ACCC as soon as possible.

You can email your application for an exemption to cashacceptancecode@accc.gov.au.

Enforcement of the codes

The ACCC is responsible for enforcing compliance with the codes. Penalties for conduct breaching the codes do not apply until 1 July 2026.

When considering whether to take enforcement action, the ACCC considers all the circumstances of the breach.

For the codes, relevant circumstances may include evidence of the practical, cost and extraneous factors impacting a business’ ability to accept cash.

Another relevant circumstance may be whether the ACCC is assessing an exemption application relevant to the conduct.

Find out more

Learn more about the cash acceptance industry codes.