Tipping In Australia: A Guide to Australian Tipping Customs
Jarrod Suda
Guide
A writer and editor at Monito, Jarrod is passionate about helping people apply today’s powerful finance technologies to their lives. He brings his background in international affairs and his experiences living in Japan to provide readers with comprehensive information that also acknowledges the local context.
Links on this page, including products and brands featured on ‘Sponsored’ content, may earn us an affiliate commission. This does not affect the opinions and recommendations of our editors.
Read moreOne aspect of the travel experience that often surprises travelers is the local attitude toward tipping. In some countries, it's an everyday practice, while in others, it's a cultural faux pas. Then there are those countries where tipping falls somewhere in between, leaving you wondering what's expected.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the tipping etiquette of Australia to help you navigate your visit smoothly. Additionally, we'll offer valuable tips on how to get AUD in cash in Australia, so you can focus on soaking up the sights, sounds, and flavors without the stress of financial hiccups.
We highly recommend opening a Wise account for free to access 10 foreign account details, 40+ foreign currency pots, and fee-free ATM withdrawals up to $100 per month.
You'll be able to hold local currency just like a local and spend it with the Wise travel debit card, which has zero foreign transaction fees. Without fail, I use Wise for all of my travels abroad.
Is Tipping Expected in Australia?
Tipping in Australia is not as common as in other parts of the Anglosphere. While tipping is certainly appreciated, it is not a cultural practice and is not expected. If you choose to do so, 10% is a common benchmark down under.
Tipping in Restaurants, Bars, and Cafes
When dining out in Australia, you won't need to tip your wait staff, although they will certainly appreciate it. A 10% tip for excellent service would be considered generous.
When visiting bars and cafes, the same custom applies. It is not common to tip at cafes or bars in Australia, although it is a nice gesture to round up the bill.
Do You Tip Hotel Staff in Australia?
For hotel staff in Australia, tipping is not mandatory but much appreciated by service staff. It is a nice gesture to give a porter, valet, or housekeeper a small tip of a few Australian dollars.
Tipping Taxis and Tour Guides in Australia
For taxi drivers in Australia, tipping is not customary. However, it is common to round up to the nearest dollar.
Tour guides in Australia will also not expect tips. If your tour was informational and enjoyable, you can consider a 10% tip, or write a positive review and spread the word.
Practical Tips for Tipping in Australia
By following these tips, you'll optimize your cash transactions in Australia, minimize fees, and enjoy a smoother travel experience:
- Withdraw Cash With a Travel Debit Card: Choose a travel debit card without international transaction fees that allows you to hold local currency and withdraw cash like a local. These cards typically offer fee-free ATM withdrawal allowances, making them a convenient and cost-effective option for accessing cash while traveling in Australia.
- Stay Within Fee-Free Allowances: Many travel debit cards provide fee-free ATM withdrawal allowances per month. To avoid additional fees, try to stay within this allowance when withdrawing cash.
- Opt for Local Currency Transactions: When making purchases or withdrawing cash in Australia, you'll be prompted to pay in AUD or your home currency. Always choose to pay in the local currency (AUD) rather than your home currency to avoid dynamic currency conversion (DCC) fees. DCC will result in terrible exchange rates and additional charges, so opting for local currency transactions ensures you get the best exchange rate.
- Avoid Credit Card Cash Advances: Steer clear of using credit cards for cash withdrawals, as they incur cash advance fees and higher interest rates (APR). Cash advance APR is also higher than purchase APR.
Recommended Travel Cards for Fee-Free Cash Withdrawals Abroad
Compare the best travel debit cards without international transaction fees for your trip to Australia:
Wise Multi-Currency Account
With the Wise Account, convert currency at the mid-market exchange rate. Spend, hold, and convert between dozens of currencies with your debit card and never be asked to do a dynamic currency conversion. The only fees that they charge you for using ATMs abroad will come at 1.75% per withdrawal — and only after you've exceeded your $100 monthly withdrawal limit.
The Wise Account is available in the US, Canada, EU/EEA, the UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and several other countries and territories.
Wise Multi-Currency Account | Switzerland |
N26
Available for EU and EEA residents to open, an N26 account will never charge foreign transaction fees. All Euro ATM withdrawals are fee-free, giving you free rein to travel the Eurozone. Outside of the Eurozone, ATM withdrawals cost 1.7% per withdrawal.
Starling Bank
The Starling Bank card is an excellent option in the UK for foreign travel. In addition to no foreign transaction fees, Starling Bank does not charge foreign ATM withdrawal fees. You might only be charged a third-party fee, just as you would in the UK.
Travel Money Guides For Your Trip to Australia
Why Trust Monito?
You’re probably all too familiar with the often outrageous cost of sending money abroad. After facing this frustration themselves back in 2013, co-founders François, Laurent, and Pascal launched a real-time comparison engine to compare the best money transfer services across the globe. Today, Monito’s award-winning comparisons, reviews, and guides are trusted by around 8 million people each year and our recommendations are backed by millions of pricing data points and dozens of expert tests — all allowing you to make the savviest decisions with confidence.
Monito is trusted by 15+ million users across the globe.
Monito's experts spend hours researching and testing services so that you don't have to.
Our recommendations are always unbiased and independent.