Paying strata levies by credit card: the 1 October 2026 change explained
If you paid your strata levies, body corporate fees or other bills through a major strata and rent payment service by credit card, that option has gone. From 1 October 2026, that service no longer accepts credit card payments, so anyone who relied on it needs another way to pay. Here’s what changed, why it matters, and how Pay & Earn can fill the gap while rewarding you for paying your bills.
What changed
From 1 October 2026, the service accepts direct debit and bank transfer only. Credit and debit cards are no longer accepted.
Who it affects
Anyone paying strata levies, body corporate fees or similar bills through that service by card, especially to earn points.
What you can do
Update your payment details with the service, or pay your bills through Pay & Earn and keep earning points.
What the credit card removal means for you
It is a long-standing payment platform used by property managers, strata companies and other billers across Australia. For many households it has been the default way to pay strata levies or body corporate fees, and paying by credit card was convenient, especially if you were collecting frequent flyer or rewards points along the way.
The service’s own website confirms the change: from 1 October 2026, credit and debit card payments are no longer accepted, and the platform has moved to direct debit and bank transfer options only. If you had a credit card set up as your payment method there, you’ll need to update your details or use an alternative, or risk a missed payment.
The real cost: if you simply switch to a bank transfer through that service, you lose the credit card points you were earning on strata fees, body corporate contributions and similar bills. It’s worth checking whether a smarter alternative exists.
Why paying bills by credit card has always made sense
Paying household bills by credit card isn’t just about convenience. With a rewards-earning card, it’s one of the most straightforward ways to collect points on spending you’d be doing anyway. Rent, strata fees, electricity, insurance, school fees and council rates go out every month or quarter regardless, so earning points on them turns unavoidable expenses into something useful.
The catch has always been that not every biller accepts credit cards, and some that do charge fees that can make the payment less worthwhile. That’s a calculation worth doing, but the logic holds: bills are large, recurring and predictable, which makes them ideal for earning rewards when the payment method allows it.
The service removing the card option is a reminder of how much control individual billers have over how you pay, and what you can earn. Platforms that put that choice back in your hands are worth knowing about.
A better way to pay your strata bills
Pay & Earn is an Australian bill payment platform designed for everyday households. You can pay a wide range of bills through a single account, including:
- Rent
- Gas
- Electricity
- Insurance
- Council rates
- School fees
- Childcare
- Internet
- Phone
- Government bills
You choose whether to pay by credit card or by bank payment, including PayTo.
Earn in two places on the same bill
- PAE Points: when you pay through Pay & Earn, you earn PAE Points on your payments, which you can redeem with a reward partner of your choice across flights, hotel rewards, experiences and gift cards.
- Your card’s own points: if you pay by credit card, you still earn your credit card’s full reward points as well.
Simple pricing
Pay & Earn has three pricing tiers: Essential, Plus and Max. The rate at which you earn PAE Points depends on your tier, with higher tiers earning at a higher rate. A platform fee applies per payment, varies by payment method and is always shown clearly before you confirm. There are no monthly or subscription fees, and joining is free. See the full details on our pricing page, or run your own numbers with the points calculator.
Pay & Earn covers far more than strata fees. If this change has you rethinking where and how you pay your household bills in general, Pay & Earn is built to handle the full picture in one place.
From the card cutoff to earning on every bill
The change is a nudge to look at how you pay all your household bills. Losing the credit card option on one platform is frustrating, but it’s also a chance to find a setup that works harder for you across every bill, not just the ones that service handles.
Pay & Earn is built on the idea that the bills you already have to pay could be earning you something worthwhile. Flights, hotel stays, gift cards and experiences: the points you earn on everyday bills could go towards any of them, depending on how you choose to redeem.