What is Merchant Choice Routing?

Merchant Choice Routing allows contactless ‘tap-and-go’ transactions from Multi-Network debit cards through the Australian EFTPOS network instead of the current Visa or Mastercard® network.

Multi-Network debit cards are dual branded debit cards with either Visa/eftpos or Mastercard®/eftpos logos on the front and rear of the card.

Potential benefit to the business

The feature may enable merchants to save on transaction processing costs, depending on the card mix, transaction amount and pricing plan. If you’re on simple pricing, MCR is already enabled.

How does Merchant Choice Routing work?

When Merchant Choice Routing is activated all eligible contactless debit transactions will be processed through the EFTPOS network. When Merchant Choice Routing is not activated, contactless debit transactions are processed through the Visa and Mastercard® networks. 

If you’re on simple pricing, or you're a current NAB Easy Tap customer, Merchant Choice Routing is already activated for you as part of your pricing.

If you are on custom pricing, Merchant Choice Routing may already be activated, you may have chosen to activate it or it is not activated.

What types of transactions are supported by Merchant Choice Routing?

All contactless ‘tap-and-go’ purchase and refund transactions from Multi-Network debit cards are supported.

It doesn’t apply to transactions where:

  • A cardholder chooses to manually insert or swipe their Multi-Network debit card and then selects their account prior to entering their PIN.
  • Credit card transactions including Multi-Network credit cards that have EFTPOS as a secondary function.
  • Contactless device payments e.g. Apple Pay, Google Pay, FitBit Pay, etc.

MCR and the cardholder experience

Merchant Choice Routing won’t affect the payment experience or the cost to the cardholder. For NAB cardholders, regardless of whether their payment is routed through the eftpos or Visa/Mastercard® network, they’ll still be eligible for any rewards attached to their card (if applicable).

If the cardholder would like to choose how their transaction is routed, then you should let them know to manually insert or swipe their card, then select their account of choice based on their preferred network.

  • CR: Visa or Mastercard® scheme network.
  • SAV/CHQ: eftpos scheme network.

Is Merchant Choice Routing available on all our terminals?

Merchant Choice Routing is only available on NAB EFTPOS Ingenico MOVE 5000 and Quest QT850 terminals. It’s not available on NAB MPOS or Verifone terminals.

When enabled, the payment screen on the device will say ‘Merchant Choice Routing’ and will be ready to accept payments.

If you choose to enable MCR and have more than one terminal, you must enable MCR for all terminals that are under that Merchant ID (MID).

Can I still add a surcharge on transactions?

Surcharge can be applied to all card acceptance methods including tap, insert and swipe.

Want to check if Merchant Choice Routing has been enabled for you?

Call our Merchant Service Centre on 1300 369 852.

If you’re a new merchant and would like to apply for a NAB EFTPOS Ingenico Move 5000 or Quest QT850 terminal with MCR, call our Merchant Sales Team on 1300 338 767.

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Terms and Conditions

This information has been prepared without taking into account your financial situation, objectives or needs. You should read and consider the Merchant Agreement including relevant Merchant Choice Routing terms and conditions, which govern the use and operation of your merchant facility before making a decision.

Mastercard® and the Mastercard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.