Tipping in Australia: 2026 Guide for Travelers

Restaurants, Cafés, and Pubs

At cafés and casual restaurants, pay the bill and you’re done. Many locals round up or drop coins in a tip jar at the counter, but no one will think twice if you don’t. At upscale restaurants, leaving around 10% for excellent service is common among diners who want to say thanks; it’s still optional, and you won’t be judged for skipping it.

At pubs and bars, you order and pay at the bar, and tipping per drink isn’t a thing — a big contrast with the US habits in our bartender tipping guide.

Card terminals may show tip prompts such as 5%, 10%, or 15%. You can press “no tip” or “skip” without any awkwardness — that’s what most Australians do.

Weekend, Holiday, and Card Surcharges

These charges are more likely to affect your bill than tipping is. Many cafés and restaurants add a Sunday surcharge, often around 10%, and a public holiday surcharge, often around 15%, to cover higher wage rates on those days. Businesses are supposed to display these surcharges on the menu or at the counter, so look before you order.

You’ll also often see a card surcharge, usually 1–2%, when paying by credit or debit card, especially for small purchases or with American Express. These fees have been under regulatory review, so you may see them less often over time. Neither surcharge is a tip, and none of it goes to the staff as a gratuity. For more on paying tips by card vs cash, see our cash vs card tipping guide.

Taxis, Uber, and Hotels

Taxi drivers don’t expect tips; rounding up to the nearest dollar is common if you pay cash. Uber has an optional in-app tip. At hotels, porters and housekeeping don’t expect anything, though some guests at luxury hotels hand a porter A$2–5 per bag. Concierges who book a hard-to-get table won’t expect a tip either.

Tours, Reef Trips, and Guides

Tour guides are paid properly, so tips aren’t expected. On full-day Great Barrier Reef trips, outback tours, or wine-region tours, some operators keep a tip jar for the crew, and A$10–20 per person is a generous thank-you for a great day. For multi-day tours, some travelers give more at the end. Compare with US norms in our tour guide tipping guide.

Paying in Australia

Australia is heavily cashless — tap-to-pay works almost everywhere, including many small cafés and taxis. If you want to leave a tip, a few coins (A$1 and A$2 are coins) or a card tip both work. A$1 is roughly 65 US cents; check the current rate with our USD to AUD converter.