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Running a business in Australia today means managing an ever-growing stack of systems and subscriptions. Payment processing here, inventory management there, staff scheduling in another app, customer loyalty through yet another platform. The average business owner juggles multiple vendors, disconnected data, and systems that simply don’t communicate with each other.
This fragmented approach isn’t just inefficient, it’s expensive. Every additional system means another monthly subscription, more staff training, and hours spent looking at data between platforms that should work together.
The most successful Australian businesses follow a different approach: running their entire operation through one integrated ecosystem that connects every aspect of their business, from payments to customer relationships to staff management.
The Square difference: everything connected
We honestly didn’t know how powerful Square was when we got it. We still don’t know how powerful it is. We’re still learning things every day, and I think that’s the best part about it.”
Lorenzo’s experience isn’t unique. Across Australia, from Melbourne cafés to Gold Coast barbershops, business owners are discovering that Square isn’t just another payment processor, it’s a complete business operating system designed specifically for the way Australians do business.
Instead of bolting together separate solutions, Square built an integrated ecosystem where every component is designed to work seamlessly together.
What makes Square different
Local focus: Square isn’t just another international company trying to adapt to Australia. The platform is built for Australian businesses, with local payment methods, Australian compliance, and support teams based right here.
Transparent pricing: No hidden fees, no confusing rate structures. Square charges one simple rate of 1.6% for in-person card transactions and 2.2% for online payments. What you see is what you pay.
Intuitive design: Your staff shouldn’t need hours of training to use your business systems. Square’s interface is designed to be so intuitive that new team members can start serving customers immediately.
It’s very easy to train new staff members to use the Square hardware and we always get compliments from customers on how easy it is to use.”
Peta Van De Velde → Owner, Frankie's Gelato
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Your complete business platform
Here’s how Square connects every aspect of your business.
Payments that work in tandem with your POS
Accept all major credit and debit cards, mobile wallet payments, and Afterpay1 through secure payments – all through one system. When a customer pays, that transaction automatically updates your inventory, customer database, and reporting dashboards.
Point of sale built for your business
Whether you’re running a busy café, a boutique retail store, a hair salon, or a professional services business, Square’s Point of Sale software adapts to how you work. Customise your interface, create floor plans for restaurants, manage appointments for service businesses, or track complex inventory for retail – all from the same core system.
Hardware that makes sense
From the compact Square Reader ($65) perfect for market stalls, to the fully integrated Square Register ($1,099) that can handle the busiest restaurant, Square Hardware is designed to work together. Every device works with Square POS software, so you’re not paying extra subscriptions for basic functionality.
Other popular options include:
- Square Terminal ($329) – Your all-in-one EFTPOS machine with built-in POS
- Square Handheld ($349) – Perfect for tableside ordering and mobile payments
- Square Stand ($149) – Turn your iPad into a full POS system
- Tap to Pay on iPhone and Tap to Pay on Android – Accept payments directly from your phone
It goes without saying how beautiful Square hardware looks on the counter. It helps when the equipment we use looks just as stunning as the restaurant, right? Not only is it good-looking on the outside, but it’s also functional on the inside.”
Online presence without the hassle
Your Square system automatically syncs with your online store or online ordering site, so inventory levels, pricing, and customer data stay consistent whether someone buys in-person or online. Set up QR code ordering for restaurants, online bookings for service businesses, or a full eCommerce store for retail – all managed from the same dashboard.
Team management that actually helps
Schedule and publish shifts, manage time-off requests, track labour costs, and communicate with your team through Team Communication – all built into your POS system. When staff clock in, they’re automatically logged into the system with their custom roles and permissions.
The girls (her staff) will have Square Team on their phone now and it’ll notify them when their shift is going to start and to clock in or clock out.”
Customer relationships on autopilot
Every transaction automatically builds customer profiles through your customer directory, tracks purchase history, and manages loyalty points with Square Loyalty. Send targeted campaigns with Square Marketing, track customer lifetime value, and offer physical and digital gift cards – without managing separate systems.
Built for Australian industries
Hospitality: from order to kitchen to customer
Australian restaurants and cafes using Square Restaurant POS can create customised floor plans, send orders directly to Square Kitchen Display System, enable QR code ordering for customers, and manage everything from table service to online ordering for pickup and delivery, all in one system.
I didn’t realise how integrated everything would be at Square. I saw Square had a wireless Kitchen Display System (KDS), so I jumped on it. We also implemented Square for Restaurants for table layouts and Square Online for online ordering and pickup.”
Retail: inventory that manages itself
Square for Retail businesses get automatic inventory tracking across all sales channels, barcode scanning, purchase order management, and detailed analytics on what’s selling and what’s not. Your online store and physical location always show accurate stock levels.
Health & Beauty: appointments and bookings made simple
Health & beauty businesses can offer online booking, send automated reminders, manage waitlists, sell service packages, and track client retention – all integrated with payment processing and customer management.
I use Square for tracking all of my appointments, sending reminders, and establishing my wait list. It does everything I need it to do.”
Since Square has introduced a waitlist option it’s made running our columns a lot more efficient. When people try and cancel last minute, they are usually quite difficult appointments to refill. But having the waitlist available and automatically sending a text out to these people on the waitlist is another issue we don’t have to worry about.”
Dean Robertson → Co-owner, Beef's Barbers
Professional Services: from quote to payment
Send and track invoices from anywhere, accept payments through the Virtual Terminal, schedule milestone payments, and take payments over the phone or in person – all tracked in one system with complete client history.
The data that drives better decisions
Square doesn’t just process transactions – it turns every sale into actionable business intelligence through the Square Dashboard. See which products are your top performers, identify your busiest hours, track labour costs in real-time, and understand customer behaviour patterns. All without needing a data analyst or complex reporting tools.
Real-time insights include:
- Sales performance by hour, day, week, or custom periods
- Product and service analytics showing what’s moving and what’s not
- Staff performance and labour cost tracking
- Customer retention and lifetime value metrics
- Multi-location comparisons and consolidated reporting
From a behind-the-scenes standpoint, it’s really been a saviour in terms of how the stores are going. We know which products are working and not working in real-time.”
Ready to scale when you are
Starting with one location? Square grows with you. The platform includes multi-location management tools that let you:
- Sync menus and inventory across locations
- Transfer staff between locations seamlessly
- Get consolidated reporting or location-specific insights
- Maintain consistent customer experiences everywhere
Plus, Square Loans2 can provide access to business loans based on your sales history, helping fund expansion without traditional bank applications.
The visibility that our reporting provides is so critical for our business. We wouldn’t be able to make the decisions we do on a day to day basis without the reporting capabilities that Square offers.”
The support you need, when you need it
Square provides local Australian support Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Melbourne time. Hardware users get 24/7 priority support, and larger businesses receive dedicated account management and priority assistance.
Getting started is easier than you think
Unlike traditional business systems that require weeks of setup and extensive training, Square is designed to get you up and running quickly:
- Sign up online or download the Square Point of Sale app
- Connect your hardware – most devices are plug-and-play
- Import your existing inventory using bulk upload tools, or create your item library
- Start taking payments immediately
For businesses processing over $250,000 annually, you may be eligible for custom pricing and dedicated account management to ensure you get the most from the platform.
Your next step
Ready to see how Square can transform your business operations? Our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Square’s features, pricing, hardware options, and industry-specific solutions.
Download the complete square business guide – get detailed information about all Square features, hardware specifications, pricing for every business size.
Download the Complete Square Business Guide
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Check your email for your resource.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to streamline existing operations, Square’s all-in-one platform is designed to help Australian businesses thrive in today’s competitive market.
Ready to get started today? Sign up for your free Square account or contact our Australian sales team to discuss custom pricing for larger businesses.
1Afterpay transactions: 6% + 30 cents per transaction in person and online (excl GST).
2All loans are issued by Square AU Pty Ltd. (ABN 38 167 106 176). Subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply.
