The Best Shopify Payment Methods for Your E-Commerce Business in Australia

Sanjeed V K

With a strong economy and consumer spending power, Australia is one of the most attractive markets for entrepreneurs looking to start or expand an e-commerce business. It also has a robust economy supported by a transparent regulatory system and reliable infrastructure, making it a safe environment for business growth.

Australia also has a digitally savvy population, with over 83% of consumers shopping online monthly¹. The popularity of mobile commerce and buy-now-pay-later options also shows that Australian shoppers are willing to embrace new technologies and payment methods for convenience.

To cater to the growing customer base, many Australian business owners turn to Shopify, a modern e-commerce platform that makes it easy to build an online store and use a wide range of payment integrations, from credit card processors to local payment gateways.

This guide is designed to help you kickstart your Australian e-commerce journey by exploring the available Shopify payment methods and discussing common challenges faced by online sellers. We’ll also mention how aWise Business account can help e-commerce businesses collect international payments more efficiently and often, at lower fees.

Table of contents

What makes an e-commerce business succeed in Australia?

Success in Australia’s e-commerce landscape requires a deep understanding of both regional and global payment preferences. Australian consumers value convenience, speed, and flexibility when shopping online, and businesses that adapt to these expectations are the ones that thrive.

A seamless checkout experience is crucial. Long or complicated payment processes often lead to cart abandonment, as customers expect fast and hassle-free transactions. To stay competitive, e-commerce stores must offer multiple payment options that cater to diverse customer preferences.

There are now eleven main payment types commonly used by online shoppers²:

  • Credit cards and debit cards,
  • Cash on demand,
  • Mobile wallet,
  • Buy-now-pay-later,
  • Checks,
  • Bank transfer,
  • Autopay,
  • Cryptocurrency,
  • Rewards,
  • QR codes, and
  • Digital payment links

Among these, mobile wallets are rapidly becoming the dominant choice across the Asia-Pacific region, projected to represent 66% of point-of-sale transactions by 2027³. Meanwhile, in the United States, mobile wallets are expected to make up 52% of online transaction value by 2030, highlighting a global trend toward digital-first payments⁴.

For Australian e-commerce entrepreneurs, success means keeping pace with this evolution – offering flexible, secure, and globally recognized payment options. Businesses that integrate popular local and international payment methods can build customer trust, reduce checkout friction, and unlock new growth opportunities in both domestic and cross-border markets.

Stop letting currency conversions devour your margins

Expanding a business globally opens up exciting opportunities, but also new challenges like receiving payments across borders. Hidden foreign transaction fees and hefty currency conversions involved with international payments can eat into your profits and time.

foreign-transaction-fee-wise

Wise Business serves as a cost-effective solution where you can receive money from around the world at the speed and price of local payments.

Transform the way you receive payments with Wise Business:

  • One-time fee of 65 AUD for local account details in 8+ currencies, including AUD, NZD, USD, and more—no recurring fees
  • One account to hold, send, and convert money with no hidden fees or exchange rate markups
  • Create and send professional invoices directly to your customers through Wise Business
  • Create payment links to request money in specific currencies
  • Seamlessly receive payments from customers, online sales, or PSPs like Stripe and Amazon.
  • Wise is safe and secure - Trusted by 13 million people and counting

Sign up for the Wise Business account! 🚀

This general advice does not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs and you should consider if it is appropriate for you.


Popular payment processors for Shopify stores

Choosing the right payment processor is an important step in creating a smooth and secure checkout experience. A payment gateway serves as a bridge between the seller and the customer. It processes transactions, verifies payment information, and ensures payments are transferred promptly and safely.

The best payment gateway should offer responsive customer support, robust security, and global accessibility, allowing the Shopify store to cater to both local and international customers. For e-commerce businesses, the right setup reduces friction at checkout and increases conversion rates.

Take a moment to check out our helpful resources on payment gateways:

➡️ What is a Payment Gateway?

➡️ Guide to Payment Gateway Integration

➡️ 7 Best International Payment Gateway Providers

Comparison of popular payment gateways for Shopify and e-commerce businesses

Payment GatewayKey FeaturesSupported Currencies/RegionsIdeal ForFees & Pricing
Shopify PaymentsBuilt-in Shopify payment solutionSupports multiple currencies; available in select regions (including Australia)Shopify users who want seamless integrationNo setup fees; transaction fees depend on Shopify plan
StripeAccepts 135+ currencies195 countries worldwideGlobal e-commerce stores and tech-savvy entrepreneursTransparent per-transaction fees; no monthly fees
PaypalOne-click checkout, recurring billingAvailable globally (220+ million users)Freelancers, small businesses, and global customersFree and premium options
Amazon PayUses customers’ existing Amazon info for quick checkoutAvailable in select countries (including Australia)Businesses targeting Amazon usersNo additional transaction fee beyond Amazon’s standard rate
KlarnaBuy Now, Pay Later option; merchants get paid upfrontWidely used in Europe, North America, and AustraliaStores offering installment paymentsHigher transaction fees for merchants
SquareCombines online and in-person paymentsAvailable in several major markets (including Australia)Small retailers, cafes, service providersNo monthly fee; standard per-transaction rate
eWayLocal 24/7 supportPrimarily Australia and New ZealandLocal SMEsCustom pricing based on volume
AfterpayBuy Now, Pay Later with four interest-free installments; sellers are paid upfrontAustralia, US, UK, NZBrands targeting younger or high-frequency shoppersHigher merchant fees

Shopify Payments – Shopify’s built-in payment solution, Shopify Payments, is simple and seamless to integrate. It automatically accepts all major payment methods without requiring third-party setup and waives additional transaction fees⁵.

Stripe – Supporting payments in over 135+ currencies across 195 countries, Stripe is ideal for e-commerce stores with a global customer base⁶. It is known for its advanced customization options, developer-friendly tools, and effective analytics and fraud prevention systems.

PayPal – With over 220 million active users, PayPal is a globally recognized payment processor that supports one-click checkouts, recurring billing, and a wide range of currencies⁷. Shopify users can choose free and premium plans depending on their business needs.

Amazon Pay – Using the payment and shipping information stored in their Amazon accounts, Shopify users can complete their transactions with no additional fee⁸.

Klarna – A popular Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payment option, Klarna allows customers to split their purchases over time while the sellers receive the full amount upfront⁹. The transaction fees are higher, but the flexibility it provides to both the sellers and customers helps increase sales.

Square – Previously known for its point-of-sale systems, Square is well-suited for small e-commerce stores and service-based businesses that want to combine their in-store and online sales seamlessly. There are no monthly fees, and sellers have access to various tools like analytics, invoicing, and customer management¹⁰.

eWay – An Australian payment processor, eWay supports all major payment methods like debit and credit cards, digital wallets, and recurring payments. It is built specifically for local small and medium-sized businesses and offers 24/7 support.

Afterpay – A widely used BNPL payment service provider in Australia, Afterpay allows customers to spread payments into four installments with no interest, while the sellers receive the full payment upfront¹¹. This strategy boosts sales significantly and increases conversion rates, especially among younger consumers and prolific shoppers.


Accept cards. Go global. No coding needed.

Complex payment gateway integrations are in the past; you can start accepting credit and debit card payments in 18+ currencies in minutes with Wise, no code required.

Just send a payment link, invoice, or QR code to your customers, and let Wise handle the rest, ensuring timely payments and improving your cash flow. This streamlined approach wipes out the technical challenges and time-consuming setup associated with traditional payment gateways, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: growing your business.

Say goodbye to high and complex payment processing fees. Wise Business offers a transparent, low-cost solution with just 1.6% + 0.30 AUD fee for domestic cards and 3.5% + 0.30 AUD for international and business cards.

And once the payment is done, you can manage multiple currencies effortlessly, all in one account. Enhance your customer relationships and support your business's global expansion with a payment solution that prioritises simplicity and efficiency.

➡️Start accepting card payments with Wise Business today


Key considerations when choosing payment options

Align payment methods with the target market

To gain success as an e-commerce business in Australia, owners have to align their payment methods with what the customer wants. Australian customers value speed and simplicity during checkout and expect to see familiar options, be it debit and credit cards or online payment gateways like PayPal and BNPL platforms like Afterpay.

BNPL has quickly become an essential option for online stores as younger demographics like Millennials and Gen Z appreciate the flexibility of splitting payments without incurring interest.

Meanwhile, mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also becoming more mainstream, especially for Australian shoppers who shop online, not just when at home but also while on the go. Offering alternative ways to pay for online purchases is a great way to satisfy evolving customer behaviors.

Evaluate fees and security

The cost of processing transactions is one of the important considerations when choosing payment providers, especially when dealing with high transaction volumes. Fees can differ depending on the provider and payment method. Generally speaking, BNPL and digital wallet solutions charge slightly higher rates than credit card processors.

Online merchants should also choose payment gateways that comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard and feature encryption, fraud detection, and secure authentication to prevent losses and enhance the business’ credibility.

Australian businesses looking to expand their e-commerce business globally should look for international payment compatibility by offering multi-currency support.


Conclusion

Here’s the bottom line: Flexibility is the foundation of a successful payment strategy.

Having multiple payment methods available attracts a wider range of customers and enhances trust, convenience, and conversion rates.

Making online card payment easier with a solution like Wise Business can simplify cross-border operations and reduce cart abandonment caused by limited payment options. Wise allows Australian e-commerce businesses to collect international payments in multiple currencies with lower fees, making it easier and more seamless to get paid like a local and save on foreign exchange charges.

➡️Get started with Wise Business today.


Sources:

  1. Australian E-commerce Statistics
  2. Shopify, Payment Options
  3. Asia-Pacific Digital Payments 2025
  4. Digital Payments to Exceed $33.5 Trillion by 2030: Report
  5. Shopify Payments
  6. Stripe, Payments
  7. PayPal
  8. Amazon Pay with Shopify Payments
  9. What Is Klarna?
  10. Square
  11. Afterpay, How It Works

Sources checked on November 9, 2025


*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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