Card payments: the productivity dividend for Australian businesses
12/17/2025
For many Australian businesses, the way payments are accepted is more than just a matter of convenience – it’s a lever for real financial impact. Research shows that card payments do much more than speed up transactions; they help businesses keep more of what they earn, even after fees.
Across large suppliers, the difference is clear. Card acceptance means getting paid faster – on average, up to four days sooner than traditional methods like bank transfers. This improvement in cashflow is about having the flexibility to pay suppliers, invest in growth, and avoid the stress of waiting for funds to clear.
But speed is only part of the story. Card payments also help reduce the risk of unpaid invoices and bad debt. According to KoreFusion’s 2024 B2B Payments Study, businesses accepting cards saw bad debt drop by over 1% of total B2B sales. That’s money that would otherwise be lost to write-offs and disputes, now staying in the business.
The impact of card payments goes even further. When businesses accept cards, they unlock a range of benefits that drive growth, reduce risk, and make day-to-day operations smoother. One of the most immediate effects is on sales. KoreFusion found that half of card-accepting merchants saw an increase in sales, with net-new sales accounting for nearly half of all card payments. Customers are more likely to buy when cards are accepted, and businesses reap the rewards.
Operational efficiency is another major win. Card acceptance streamlines reconciliation and reduces exceptions, meaning less time spent on paperwork and more time focused on customers and growth. Merchants reported a 63% reduction in payment exceptions, according to KoreFusion, saving hours each month simply by cutting down on payment errors and manual admin.
The numbers add up. For every $100 in sales, card payments can put nearly $3 extra in a business’s pocket – even after fees. KoreFusion quantified total benefits at up to 4.75% of B2B revenue – a real productivity dividend.
The benefits don’t stop there. The KoreFusion study identified eight distinct advantages of card acceptance, from increased sales and reduced bad debt to improved cashflow, inflation-based savings, potential tax benefits, and operational improvements in both routine and exception handling. Businesses accepting cards also report less reliance on expensive short-term financing, more predictable revenue, and greater freedom to plan ahead.
It’s no surprise, then, that 96% of merchants surveyed want to increase card payment volumes. They see the value in boosting sales, reducing costs, and making their operations more resilient. For policymakers and regulators, supporting modern payment acceptance is a practical way to help businesses thrive and strengthen the broader economy.
For Australian businesses looking to keep more of what they earn and unlock new opportunities, card acceptance is a smart move. Card payments are a lever for business growth, resilience, and productivity.
Source: KoreFusion, The Productivity Dividend of B2B Card Payments, 2024.
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.