The change means customers will no longer be able to use their signature to complete a transaction with any Australian-issued credit card. 

If customers do not have a PIN, credit card providers will decline the transaction, however transactions initiated overseas and contactless transactions, such as Pay Pass and Pay Wave which have a limit of $100, will still be approved. 

Tamworth Business Chamber president Tim Coates said the change would “no doubt create confusion” but it was a good security move. 

He urged small businesses to run an awareness campaign to inform their customers and save them from any embarrassment tomorrow.

“If things do go pear-shaped, be sympathetic, try and help them through the process so they can continue to use that business,” Mr Coates said. 

Felicity Downes from Blue Illusion said their customers were well-aware of the switch to PINs, but as 90 per cent of their sales were paid using credit and EFTPOS, it would still affect their business.

“We have a more mature clientele who have been signing for many years, so for them it will be quite a change,” Ms Downes said. 

Parliamentary secretary for small business and regional development John Barilaro urged businesses to contact their bank or financial institution to ensure their terminals were “PIN ready”, and they should visit www.pinwise.com.au for more information.