Key dates
Key dates for small business
Upcoming deadlines and changes from regulators and the platforms small businesses rely on. Each one links to our story and the original source.
September 2026
AI at work
Google Meet AI note-taking default starts
Automatic "Take notes for me" turns on by default for Workspace Business Standard and Business Plus, for scheduled meetings with three or more people. Google says the rollout may take more than 15 days.
Source: Google Meet AI note-taking default starts · Our story: Google Meet AI note-taking default starts
October 2026
Rules & costs
Card surcharges end on eftpos, Mastercard and Visa
Network rules stop businesses adding card surcharges, online and in store. New interchange caps on domestic cards start. American Express and UnionPay also remove surcharging.
Source: Card surcharges end on eftpos, Mastercard and Visa · Our story: Card surcharges end on eftpos, Mastercard and Visa
Rules & costs
PayPal removes surcharging
PayPal's no-surcharge rule starts, following the card networks.
Source: PayPal removes surcharging · Our story: PayPal removes surcharging
Marketing
Google Ads API version 22 stops working
Only affects businesses using third-party tools built on that API version.
Marketing
Google's September spam update due to finish
Google said the rollout, which started on 24 September (US time), may take up to two weeks. Compare Search Console data once Google marks it complete.
Source: Google's September spam update due to finish · Our story: Google's September spam update due to finish
Rules & costs
Payday Super: first-year cut-off for July–September gaps
On our reading of the ATO's first-year guidance, the 28-day mark for fixing unpaid super on pay dated July to September. The legal deadline remains 7 business days after each payday.
Source: Payday Super: first-year cut-off for July–September gaps · Our story: Payday Super: first-year cut-off for July–September gaps
Rules & costs
First published card fee data
Card networks and the largest payment providers publish their first quarterly fee data, including merchant service fees.
Source: First published card fee data · Our story: First published card fee data
December 2026
Rules & costs
Privacy: automated decision-making disclosure starts
Businesses covered by the Privacy Act must explain significant automated decisions in their privacy policy.
Source: Privacy: automated decision-making disclosure starts · Our story: Privacy: automated decision-making disclosure starts
Rules & costs
Children's Online Privacy Code due to be registered
The OAIC must register the code by December 2026. It will apply to covered online services likely to be accessed by children.
Source: Children's Online Privacy Code due to be registered · Our story: Children's Online Privacy Code due to be registered
January 2027
Marketing
Google sends Dynamic Search Ads upgrade reminder
Official reminder to accounts still running Dynamic Search Ads before the automatic AI Max upgrade.
Source: Google sends Dynamic Search Ads upgrade reminder · Our story: Google sends Dynamic Search Ads upgrade reminder
Rules & costs
Payment providers report interchange pass-through
The largest acquirers publish how much of the October interchange cuts they passed on to merchants.
Source: Payment providers report interchange pass-through · Our story: Payment providers report interchange pass-through
February 2027
Marketing
Dynamic Search Ads upgrade to AI Max begins
Google starts automatically upgrading remaining Dynamic Search Ads campaigns to AI Max during February.
Source: Dynamic Search Ads upgrade to AI Max begins · Our story: Dynamic Search Ads upgrade to AI Max begins
April 2027
Rules & costs
Foreign card interchange cap and clearer merchant statements
A 1.0% cap on foreign-issued cards starts, and merchant statements must split domestic and foreign, in-person and online fees.
Source: Foreign card interchange cap and clearer merchant statements · Our story: Foreign card interchange cap and clearer merchant statements
June 2027
Rules & costs
Payday Super reporting concession ends
Last day the ATO accepts Single Touch Payroll super reporting from software not updated for Payday Super. The first-year compliance approach also ends.
Source: Payday Super reporting concession ends · Our story: Payday Super reporting concession ends
Dates come from official sources and can change. Check the source before acting. General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice.