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.

Petboost uses localised Stripe AU, which provides:

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.

Petboost separates fees into two components, giving you control over each:

Fee Rates by Plan:

Key Advantage: Unlike competitors who bundle fees into one opaque rate, Petboost separates them so you can decide exactly what to pass on.

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

Business Pays - Absorbed by you

Example: $100 service with 1.7% + $0.30 Stripe fee

Who pays the Petboost platform transaction fee

Petboost charges a platform fee for transactions processed through the platform:

Customer Pays - Added to invoice

Business Pays - Absorbed by you

You have four options for handling fees:

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.

Provide your bank account details for customers who want to pay via bank transfer.

Bank-State-Branch number (e.g., 062 124)

Your bank's BSB code, typically 6 digits.

Format: 062 124 or 062-124

Bank account number (e.g., 1169 7572)

Your business bank account number.

These bank details will be included in emails and PDFs sent to customers who select bank transfer as their payment method.

What customers see:

When to use bank transfer:

Best practices:

Accept card payments in person using Stripe Terminal physical card readers.

Physical card payment terminal connected with Petboost

✅ Seamlessly works with Petboost

✅ 1-click from the appointment card

✅ Automatic & paperless email receipts

✅ Dedicated help to get up & running in minutes

⚠️ Requires Wi-Fi network

⚠️ Requires purchase of WisePOS E machine

At checkout:

Ideal for:

Not ideal for:

Click "Activate In-person Payments" to begin setup.

Setup process:

Why it's worth it:

Cost: 1.7% + $0.30 per transaction (pay only when you get paid)

Best for: Most appointments. Saves 20+ hours per month on bookkeeping.

Pros:

Cons:

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

Pros:

Cons:

Best for: Large invoices, customers without cards, international payments

Pros:

Cons:

Best for: Walk-in customers, front desk checkout, in-person services

Pros:

Cons:

Best for: Customers who prefer cash, low-tech customers

Use your existing payment terminal alongside Petboost

If you already have a payment terminal (Smart Pay, Square, bank-supplied EFTPOS, etc.) and want to continue using it, you can select "External Payment Machine" when recording payments in Petboost.

How it works:

Fees (Business Pro):

Fees (Business Max):

Pros:

Cons:

Best for: Businesses with an existing terminal relationship, lower bank rates, or customers who prefer in-person card payment without Card on File

Many businesses ask whether they should use Stripe for everything or keep their existing EFTPOS terminal. Here's a practical comparison:

You can pass fees to customers. Both Petboost (1.4%) and Stripe (1.7% + $0.30) fees can appear as line items on customer invoices. Many businesses pass all fees to protect their margins. Configure in Settings → Payments.

Process $7,500+ through Stripe in a calendar month → next month's $65 subscription is waived.

External Payment Machine transactions don't count toward the $7,500 threshold. Only Stripe payments (Card on File, payment links, Stripe Terminal) count.

This is where the real difference emerges:

With Stripe for all payments:

With External Payment Machine (split approach):

Bottom line: The fee difference is often smaller than it appears when you factor in bookkeeping time. Most businesses find Stripe's automation saves more than it costs.

You can use both methods in the same business. This is common for businesses transitioning to Petboost or those with specific customer requirements.

Example setup:

How to configure:

Important: Even with a hybrid approach, you'll need to set up Stripe to activate Business Pro features. Stripe connection doesn't force you to use it for every payment.

Considerations:

Common approaches:

Tips:

Before activating:

After activation:

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:

Zero-fee options available:

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.

Have questions about payments? See these commonly asked questions:

For issues that are outside Petboost's control — disputes, payout failures, bank account verification, Stripe fees, or account restrictions — you'll need to contact Stripe directly.

📖 See: When to Contact Stripe Support — Guidance on when and how to contact Stripe's 24/7 support team.