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As the business landscape continues to evolve, so do the tools needed to keep up. Australian sellers are asking for more mobility, more personalisation and less complexity in their daily operations. Whether it’s streamlining service during a lunch rush or tracking stock across locations, business owners are hungry for solutions that just work — and that grow with them.
That’s why this June, Square is rolling out a new set of tools designed to meet those needs head-on. From portable POS hardware to industry-specific software updates, here’s what’s launching — and how it could help your business run more smoothly.
Why portable POS is gaining ground — and where the new Square Handheld fits in
Business doesn’t always happen at the counter. From table service to market stalls and mobile appointments, more Australian sellers are looking for ways to take orders, process payments and manage inventory on the go.
That’s where Square Handheld comes in — our newest hardware innovation, purpose-built to help you serve customers wherever they are: at the counter or out on the floor. Whether you’re taking orders, managing inventory or accepting payments, Square Handheld is ready to go when you are.
Here’s what makes Square Handheld a powerful addition to your setup:
Made for mobility
- Portable and lightweight: only 315 grams and just 16 mm through the body — easy to carry in an apron or pocket
- Designed for one-handed use with a 6.2” touchscreen and slim grip
- Battery designed to last all day with convenient USB-C charging available
Built-in tools to keep you moving
- Built-in barcode scanner with dedicated button and assistive lighting — perfect for quick stock checks and inventory updates
- Integrated 16MP rear camera for adding product photos
- Durable with IP54 water & dust resistance and Gorilla Glass Victus screen
POS power in your palm
- Accepts contactless and chip card payments and mobile wallets
- Preloaded with Square Point of Sale software
- Quick settings and push notifications to streamline your workflow on the go
A smarter POS experience — tailored to how you work
No two businesses operate the same way. A busy bar owner, a boutique retailer and a solo tradie each need different tools to get the job done. That’s why the new Square Point of Sale app is designed to adapt to the way you work — not the other way around.
Best of all, you don’t need separate apps anymore. For example, everything that was in Square for Restaurants, Square for Retail and Square Appointments is now built into the one Square Point of Sale app — so you can manage your business in one place. The upgraded app now includes personalised layouts, smarter workflows and intuitive features that reflect your daily routines. Whether you’re managing complex menus, tracking in-store inventory or processing service bookings, the new POS experience helps you do it faster and with less friction.
And it’s not just about customisation. The latest update also includes Australian-specific features to make local operations easier — like integrated GST handling, automated surcharges and tap-to-pay options.
Available now for iOS and Android, this update is part of Square’s commitment to building tools that grow with your business — and work the way you do.
What’s new for your industry
Every business is unique — and so are the tools you need to keep things moving. These releases include targeted improvements for key industries, based on real feedback from Australian sellers.
Hospitality
Hospitality businesses are navigating rising costs, evolving customer expectations and new ways of delivering service. These releases are designed to help restaurants, cafés and bars stay agile, cut down on third-party fees and run more efficiently day to day:
- Offer direct online ordering with on-demand delivery — no third-party commission fees (coming soon)
- Create item combinations at discounted prices (e.g. burger, chips and drink for $20) – coming soon
- Update or tweak all your menus at the same time across all your locations and channels – coming soon
- Apply weekend and public holiday surcharges automatically, in-store and to online orders (coming soon)
- Manage over 150 menu items easily with upgraded Square Kiosk
Retail
Inventory is the lifeblood of any retail business — but it shouldn’t take over your day. These updates simplify stock management and help retailers keep pace with customer demand:
- Save time by reviewing, adjusting and receiving inventory in one place with the Stock Overview upgrade – coming soon
- Identify and take action on ageing stock to protect cash flow
- Export key inventory data for deeper insights and reporting
- Create and manage new items faster with a simplified item creation flow – coming soon
- Use integrated scales for quick, accurate checkouts — especially helpful for bulk or weighed items
Health & Beauty
For salons, studios and clinics, the customer experience starts long before the appointment. These updates help you streamline scheduling, personalise service and keep your calendar running smoothly:
- Sell packages of pre-paid services that clients can redeem over time
- Automate waitlists to fill cancellations and protect your time
- Collect key client info with custom booking forms or post-booking contracts
- Track staff commissions with flexible cost-per-service settings
- Customise your booking site with branding, service images and links
Professional Services
From solo tradies to larger teams, service businesses need reliable tools to keep cashflow clear and clients informed. These releases add more control and confidence to the job:
- Accept payments up to $1 million on a single invoice — with instalments supported
- Let clients confirm order details on the invoice to reduce disputes
- Use Square Handheld for mobile payments and stock checks while on the go
Looking ahead
These product improvements are all about making life easier for Australian businesses — with tools that reflect how you actually run your business. Whether you’re serving flat whites, grooming pets or managing a growing team, these updates are designed to help you do it better.
To see how these new tools could fit into your setup, explore your industry’s updates or reach out to the Square team.
