The National Insurance and Social Security Service (NISSS) has moved to dispel public concern over payment charges, stating that it does not levy any transaction fees on self-employed people making contributions, whether in person, online via Surepay, or through EZpay+.

In a media release, the NISSS sought to clarify several issues arising in public comments following the recent launch of its new online contribution payment methods.

Surepay’s $0.30 per-transaction convenience fee for cash and cheque payments applies to in-person, over-the-counter transactions only, the NISSS noted, adding that self-employed contributions for income year through Surepay will not incur this fee. EZpay+, the government’s own bill payment service does not levy a proprietary transaction fee on payments made through the platform, it added.