Send this page to someone via email

Male customers at an Australian cafe have to dish out more change for their morning coffee, thanks to the small business’ decision to slap an 18 per cent surcharge on their orders.

Handsome Her cafe in Melbourne is charging a “man tax” in order to make a point about pay inequality between men and women. The money collected from the surcharge goes to women’s charities.

READ MORE: Australian Senator breastfeeds baby while tabling motion in Parliament

The rule is one of three listed on a chalkboard at the coffee shop.

Would LOVE everyones thoughts on this. My friends cafe in #Brunswick, Handsom Her – is for women by women AND an has a 18% gender tax! pic.twitter.com/tVSX3PO4q8 — Paige Cardona (@paigecardona) August 3, 2017

“Rule #1: Women have priority seating. Rule #2: Men will be charged an 18% premium to reflect the gender pay gap (2016) which is donated to a women’s service. Rule #3: Respect goes both ways.”

Story continues below advertisement

According to Broadsheet Melbourne, the cafe’s owner Alex O’Brien decided to enforce the rule so men would check their privilege.

“I do want people to think about it, because we’ve had this [pay discrepancy] for decades and decades, and we’re bringing it to the forefront of people’s minds,” she said.

“I like that it is making men stop and question their privilege a little bit.” Tweet This

In a Facebook post on Sunday, the business said much of the response has been positive.

“We’ve had men travel across town to visit us and pay ‘the man tax’ and throw some extra in the donation jar — guys, you’re pretty neat.”

The post added that one mom praised the cafe as “a beautiful place” to bring her daughters.

However, the surcharge has caused controversy among those who believe it’s unfair.

Story continues below advertisement

WATCH: Tom Mulcair calls for action on gender pay gap in House of Commons

2:23 Tom Mulcair calls for action on gender pay gap in House of Commons Tom Mulcair calls for action on gender pay gap in House of Commons

One Twitter user called the tax “divisive,” while another claimed it was illegal.

Divisive – surely they can understand that ostracising one sector of the community based on gender is not moving toward equality! — General Soreness (@GenSorenessSC) August 3, 2017

I understand the principle, however, I'm pretty sure different prices based on gender is illegal. — Robert Griffin (@RLGriffinGWS) August 3, 2017

Other social media users backed the idea, one saying that those opposed to the surcharge were “entirely free to go to another cafe.”

I have no problems at all with this. If I don't like their rules, I am entirely free to go to another cafe. Everyone wins. — Matthew (@mstu1549) August 3, 2017