Overview
Enabling payments for your business is a no-brainer. Card on file, automatic charging, automatic receipts & a seamless experience for your team, customers & accountant. Payment Settings control how you collect payments from customers. Configure who pays processing fees, set up bank transfer details, and activate in-person card payments through Stripe Terminal.
Australian-First Payments
Petboost uses localised Stripe AU, which provides:
GST-inclusive pricing: All prices display GST-inclusive as required by Australian Consumer Law
Local processing rates: 1.7% + $0.30 per transaction (vs ~5.4% for US-based software)
AUD currency: No currency conversion fees or USD billing
Proper GST handling: Invoices and receipts correctly itemise GST for your accountant
Xero integration: Automatic bank feeds with correct GST treatment
Fee Configuration
Decide who pays the payment processing fees: your business or your customers. Petboost gives you complete flexibility to pass one, both, or neither fee onto pet owners.
Two Separate Fees (Full Control)
Petboost separates fees into two components, giving you control over each:
Fee Type | Rate | What It Covers |
Stripe Processing Fee | 1.7% + $0.30 per transaction (AU) | Card processing, fraud protection |
Petboost Platform Fee | 1.4% per transaction | Software, automation, support |
Key Advantage: Unlike competitors who bundle fees into one opaque rate, Petboost separates them so you can decide exactly what to pass on.
Stripe Processing Fee
Who pays the Stripe payment processing fees
Stripe charges fees for processing card payments (1.7% + $0.30 per transaction in Australia, sourced dynamically from Stripe).
Customer Pays - Added to invoice
Processing fee is added to customer's invoice
Customer sees fee as separate line item
You receive full service amount
Transparent pricing
Business Pays - Absorbed by you
Processing fee deducted from your payout
Customer sees only service cost
You receive service cost minus fees
Simpler pricing for customers
Example: $100 service with 1.7% + $0.30 Stripe fee
Setting | Customer Pays | You Receive |
Customer Pays | $102.05 | $100.00 |
Business Pays | $100.00 | $98.25 |
Petboost Platform Fee
Who pays the Petboost platform transaction fee
Petboost charges a 1.4% platform fee for transactions processed through the platform.
Customer Pays - Added to invoice
Transaction fee added to customer's invoice
Customer sees fee as separate line item
You receive full service amount
Covers platform costs
Business Pays - Absorbed by you
Transaction fee deducted from your payout
Customer sees only service cost
You pay platform fee
Simpler pricing for customers
Fee Pass-Through Options
You have four options for handling fees:
Option | Customer Sees | You Receive (on $100) | Best For |
Pass both fees | $103.45 (3.1% + $0.30) | $100.00 | Maximum revenue, transparent |
Pass Stripe only | $102.05 (1.7% + $0.30) | $98.60 (after 1.4%) | Balanced approach |
Pass Petboost only | $101.40 (1.4%) | $98.25 (after Stripe) | Hide payment processing |
Absorb all fees | $100.00 | $96.55 | Simplest pricing for customers |
Recommendation:
Most businesses choose to have customers pay both fees to maximise revenue. The fees appear as a clear line item on invoices, so customers understand exactly what they're paying for. However, if you want simpler pricing, absorb the fees yourself.
Bank Transfer Details
Provide your bank account details for customers who want to pay via bank transfer.
BSB
Bank-State-Branch number (e.g., 062 124)
Your bank's BSB code, typically 6 digits.
Format: 062 124 or 062-124
Account Number
Bank account number (e.g., 1169 7572)
Your business bank account number.
Bank Transfer Information
These bank details will be included in emails and PDFs sent to customers who select bank transfer as their payment method.
What customers see:
Invoices include your BSB and account number
Customers can transfer payment directly to your account
You manually mark payment as received once confirmed
When to use bank transfer:
Customers without credit cards
Large payments where customers prefer bank transfer
International customers avoiding currency conversion fees
Alternative to card payments
Best practices:
Use business account, not personal account
Double-check account details before saving
Enable payment confirmation notifications
Manually verify bank transfer payments before marking as paid
In-Person Payments
Accept card payments in person using Stripe Terminal physical card readers.
Accept payments in person with Stripe Terminal
Physical card payment terminal connected with Petboost
Benefits
✅ Seamlessly works with Petboost
Fully connected to Petboost system
No separate terminal software needed
Charges automatically sync to appointments
✅ 1-click from the appointment card
Open appointment in Petboost
Click "Charge In-Person"
Customer taps/inserts card on terminal
Payment complete
✅ Automatic & paperless email receipts
Customers receive instant email receipts
No paper receipts needed
Environmentally friendly
Professional appearance
✅ Dedicated help to get up & running in minutes
Petboost support guides you through setup
Quick activation process
Test transactions before going live
Requirements
⚠️ Requires Wi-Fi network
Terminal connects via Wi-Fi
Stable internet connection required
No mobile data option
⚠️ Requires purchase of WisePOS E machine
Physical terminal device required
Purchase separately from Stripe
Cost: ~$400 AUD (pricing varies)
One-time purchase, no rental fees
How It Works
Order WisePOS E terminal from Stripe
Activate In-person Payments in Petboost settings
Connect terminal to your Wi-Fi network
Pair terminal with your Petboost account
Start accepting in-person card payments
At checkout:
Open completed appointment in Petboost
Click "Charge In-Person"
Terminal displays amount
Customer taps, inserts, or swipes card
Payment processes through Stripe
Receipt automatically emailed
Appointment marked as paid in Petboost
When to Use In-Person Payments
Ideal for:
Walk-in customers without online bookings
Customers preferring to pay in person
Supplementing online payments
Front desk or reception checkout
Mobile grooming (if Wi-Fi available)
Not ideal for:
Mobile services without Wi-Fi
Very low transaction volumes
If you already have another terminal system
Activation
Click "Activate In-person Payments" to begin setup.
Setup process:
Click activate button
Connect your Stripe account (if not already connected)
Order WisePOS E terminal from Stripe
Receive terminal and power it on
Follow pairing instructions
Complete test transaction
Start accepting payments
Payment Methods Comparison
Card Payments (Online) ⭐ Recommended
Why it's worth it:
Auto-charge after service - Get paid automatically, no chasing
Perfect accounting data - Every payment matches every booking
Xero/QuickBooks ready - Connect via Stripe Bank Feeds, zero manual entry
Pre-hold funds - No-shows still pay, late cancellations covered
Next-day payouts - Money in your account fast
Cost: 1.7% + $0.30 per transaction (pay only when you get paid)
Best for: Most appointments. Saves 20+ hours per month on bookkeeping.
Payment Link (SMS)
Pros:
No card on file required
Customer pays on their own device
Secure Stripe-hosted payment page
Professional SMS delivery
Automatic payment confirmation
Works for any customer with phone number
Cons:
Additional SMS fee ($0.30 per SMS)
Requires customer phone number
Customer must complete payment manually
Slightly slower than card on file
Cost: $0.30 SMS fee + 1.7% + $0.30 Stripe fee + 1.4% platform fee (if customer pays fees)
Best for: Customers without card on file, one-off purchases, remote payment collection, package sales
Bank Transfer
Pros:
No credit card needed
Low/no fees for large payments
Direct to business account
Cons:
Manual verification required
Slower (1-3 days)
Customer must remember to pay
No automatic payment
Best for: Large invoices, customers without cards, international payments
In-Person Card Payments
Pros:
Face-to-face payment
Customer trust and comfort
Terminal hardware included
Instant confirmation
Cons:
Requires terminal hardware purchase ($400+)
Requires Wi-Fi
Processing fees still apply
Best for: Walk-in customers, front desk checkout, in-person services
Cash/Check (Manual)
Pros:
No processing fees
Immediate funds (cash)
Customer preference
Cons:
Manual recording in Petboost
Security and handling concerns
No automatic tracking
Reconciliation overhead
Best for: Customers who prefer cash, low-tech customers
Payment Settings Best Practices
Fee Configuration
Considerations:
Industry norms in your area
Competitor pricing strategies
Customer price sensitivity
Profit margins
Common approaches:
Pass all fees to customer - Maximizes revenue, transparent
Absorb all fees - Simpler pricing, customer-friendly
Pass platform fee, absorb Stripe fee - Balance of both
Bank Transfers
Tips:
Only provide for customers who specifically request it
Verify account details are correct
Set up automatic payment reminders
Follow up on unpaid invoices
Mark as paid only after confirming receipt
In-Person Payments
Before activating:
Ensure stable Wi-Fi at payment location
Calculate terminal ROI (saves time vs purchase cost)
Train staff on terminal usage
Plan for terminal placement and charging
After activation:
Test transactions before going live
Have backup payment method
Keep terminal charged
Secure terminal when not in use
Common Questions
Q: Should I pass fees to customers or absorb them?
A: It's a business decision. Passing fees maximizes revenue but customers pay more. Absorbing fees creates simpler pricing but reduces your take-home.
Q: Can I change who pays fees later?
A: Yes, changes apply to new invoices. Existing invoices use the setting in place when they were created.
Q: What if a customer's bank transfer never arrives?
A: Follow up with the customer. They may have made an error or forgotten. Use payment reminders and track overdue invoices.
Q: Do I need the WisePOS E terminal?
A: Only if you want to accept in-person card payments at your location. It's optional. You can rely on online payments only.
Q: Can I use my existing card terminal with Petboost?
A: No, Petboost connects specifically with Stripe Terminal. You'll need the WisePOS E device for in-person payments.
Q: Can I use my bank-supplied EFTPOS terminal instead of Stripe to avoid transaction fees?
A: Petboost integrates exclusively with Stripe. Here's why that's actually better:
What you lose without Stripe:
Auto-charge after service (manual collection required)
Perfect accounting data (manual reconciliation)
Xero/QuickBooks connection (manual entry)
Pre-hold funds (no no-show protection)
20+ hours/month saved on bookkeeping
Zero-fee options available:
Cash payments (manual tracking, no Stripe fees)
Bank Transfer (manual verification, no Stripe fees)
The reality: Most businesses find Stripe's automation saves $2,000+ per month in bookkeeping time, worth far more than the 1.7% + $0.30 fee. You can also pass fees to customers as a transparent line item.
Q: What are Stripe's fees?
A: Typically 1.7% + $0.30 per transaction in Australia. Check your Stripe dashboard for your exact rate based on volume.
Q: Can customers pay with PayPal or other services?
A: Currently, Petboost supports Stripe (card payments), bank transfer, and cash/check (manual). PayPal integration is not available.
Q: What if my Wi-Fi goes down and I have in-person payments?
A: You'll need an alternative payment method (cash or manual card terminal). Stripe Terminal requires internet connectivity.
Related FAQs
Have questions about payments? See these commonly asked questions:
Next Steps
Decide on fee configuration strategy (customer pays vs business absorbs)
Add bank transfer details if offering that option
Consider activating in-person payments if you have walk-in customers
Connect your Stripe account in Business Profile
Test payment workflows with a test appointment
Configure Pro Automations to enable auto-payment