Global payments technology company, Square, has launched its Square Reader in Australia.

Square Reader is a small, mobile credit and debit card reader, allowing users to accept card payments securely on a smartphone or tablet device.

Square Reader is priced at $19 in Australia, and plugs directly into the headphone jack of an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet to receive payments securely via Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit or debit cards.

Sellers pay 1.9 percent per transaction, no matter which card is processed, and funds are deposited quickly into any Australian bank account.

The device, combined with Square’s free Register point of sale app, has been designed with the needs of a variety businesses in mind, with suitability ranging from cafes, bars, tradies, photographers, food trucks, market sellers, retail stores and many more.

Square’s Australian Country Manager, Ben Pfisterer, said that having been operating locally for the past year has allowed the business to develop active partnerships that have helped test and refine payment solutions specifically for the Australian market.

“The reception we’ve received has been overwhelming and reinforced our belief that there is a strong appetite for Square to launch innovative payment products in Australia,” said Mr Pfisterer.

“In Australia, the rate paid by businesses to accept card payments can be incredibly confusing and vary greatly, depending on the size of your business, card type and length of your contract, and almost always involves hidden fees.

“Sellers using Square Reader pay only 1.9 percent per card transaction, and this is the first time Australia is seeing one low, single rate for a powerful eco-system of tools—from integrated card payments to a powerful point of sale, analytics and reporting tools, inventory management, online invoices and digital receipts.”

Square has partnered with Australian transactional banking services company Cuscal for its Australian launch.