Short answer: Appreciated, not expected. Tipping in Australia is voluntary and not expected in most places, because staff are paid a full wage. At upmarket restaurants it is common to leave about 10% for good service. Hotels and restaurants do not normally add a service charge, but some cafes and restaurants add a public holiday surcharge.
Is service included?
Restaurants generally do not add a service charge. Some add a surcharge on public holidays (shown on the menu as 'a surcharge of X% applies on' certain days), which is not a tip. A small number of city venues add an automatic tip, usually around 10%; this is allowed only if you are told beforehand and can opt out.
How much to tip in Australia
| Who | Usual tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants (sit-down) | Optional, about 10% | Common at upmarket restaurants for good service; not needed at casual places. |
| Cafes and bars | Not expected | Coins in a tip jar are a nice gesture. |
| Taxis and rideshare | Round up | Drivers do not expect tips; rounding up to the nearest dollar is common. |
| Hotel housekeeping | Not expected | Optional small tip for a long stay. |
| Hotel porters | Not expected | Optional small tip if you like. |
| Tour guides | Optional | Not required; a tip for a great day is appreciated. Varies. |
| Hairdressers and spas | Not expected | Optional for exceptional service. |
| Food delivery | Optional | In-app tips are common and many drivers rely on them; no firm custom. |
Amounts are in the local currency (AUD). They are common customs, not rules: tip more for great service and less where it was poor.
How to tip
Most payments are by card, and EFTPOS terminals and ordering apps often show a tip option you can skip. Cash can be left on the table or in a tip jar.
What to avoid
Do not feel obliged to accept an automatic tip on the bill; you are entitled to ask for it to be removed.
Work out a tip
The tip calculator is set to Australia and the local currency: enter the bill, pick a percentage and split it between the table.
Tipping with no cash
When you have no local cash, ask whether a tip can go on the card. More and more guides, drivers and performers show a QR code instead: point your phone camera at it and you can tip by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay without installing anything. Workers in Australia can read how QR code tipping works in Australia.
Street performers
Tipping a busker is always optional. If you enjoy the show, a coin or a note in the case is the custom, and more performers now show a QR code so you can tip by card. Rules for buskers by city:
- Busking in Adelaide
- Busking in Alice Springs
- Busking in Ballarat
- Busking in Bendigo
- Busking in Brisbane
- Busking in Byron Bay
- Busking in Cairns
- Busking in Canberra
Sources
- Tourism Australia: Travel tips
- SBS: Should we leave a tip? Australia's tipping culture explained
- ABC News: Automatic tipping on the rise amid cost of business crisis
- LegalVision: Do cafes need to change menu pricing for public holidays?
Checked in October 2026 against the sources above. Customs change and vary between cities and venues.
Common questions
Is tipping expected in Australia?
Appreciated, not expected. Tipping in Australia is voluntary and not expected in most places, because staff are paid a full wage. At upmarket restaurants it is common to leave about 10% for good service. Hotels and restaurants do not normally add a service charge, but some cafes and restaurants add a public holiday surcharge.
How much should you tip at a restaurant in Australia?
Optional, about 10%. Common at upmarket restaurants for good service; not needed at casual places.
Is a service charge added to the bill in Australia?
Restaurants generally do not add a service charge. Some add a surcharge on public holidays (shown on the menu as 'a surcharge of X% applies on' certain days), which is not a tip. A small number of city venues add an automatic tip, usually around 10%; this is allowed only if you are told beforehand and can opt out.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Australia?
Round up.
How much do you tip hotel housekeeping in Australia?
Not expected.
App Store
Google Play