Tipping in Australia
In Australia, tipping is never strictly required. At a sit-down restaurant, round up to nearest A$5–10, or 10% at upmarket venues. Tipping is unusual for 4 services.
Australia has a strong minimum wage and tipping is optional. A small tip for exceptional service is welcome but never assumed.
Tipping in Australia at a glance
- Sit-down restaurant
- Round up to nearest A$5–10, or 10% at upmarket venues
- Taxi
- Round up to nearest A$5 or A$10
- Bar
- Generally nothing; offer to "buy them a drink" for great service
- Housekeeping
- A$2–5 per night at upscale hotels; nothing at budget
- Concierge
- Nothing routinely; A$10–20 for a meaningful favour
- Tour guide
- A$10–20 per person full-day; A$2–5 short walking tours
- Café
- Drop coins in the tip jar, or nothing
- Tattoo artist
- 10–20% in major-city studios; flat A$20–50 for smaller pieces
Tipping by service in Australia
| Service | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | Optional | Round up to nearest A$5–10, or 10% at upmarket venues |
| Counter / takeaway | Optional | No tip; drop coins in the jar if you want |
| Café | Optional | Drop coins in the tip jar, or nothing |
| Bar | Unusual | Generally nothing; offer to "buy them a drink" for great service |
| Housekeeping | Optional | A$2–5 per night at upscale hotels; nothing at budget |
| Porter | Optional | A$2–5 per bag at upscale hotels; nothing elsewhere |
| Concierge | Optional | Nothing routinely; A$10–20 for a meaningful favour |
| Taxi | Appreciated | Round up to nearest A$5 or A$10 |
| Rideshare | Optional | Optional in-app tip A$1–5; most riders leave nothing |
| Food delivery | Optional | Optional in-app tip A$2–5 for difficult orders |
| Grocery delivery | Unusual | Generally nothing; A$2–5 only for very large orders |
| Hairdresser | Optional | A$5–20 for an excellent cut/colour; many do not tip at all |
| Spa | Optional | Nothing routinely; A$10–20 for exceptional treatment |
| Tour guide | Appreciated | A$10–20 per person full-day; A$2–5 short walking tours |
| Tattoo artist | Appreciated | 10–20% in major-city studios; flat A$20–50 for smaller pieces |
| Valet | Optional | A$2–5 cash on car return |
| Airport baggage | Optional | A$2–5 per bag if a porter assists (rare) |
| Busker | Appreciated | A$1–5 in the hat if you stop to listen |
| Movers | Unusual | No cash tip; offer cold drinks, snacks or lunch |
| Tradesperson | Unusual | No tip; cup of tea / cold drink is the norm |
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Tipping in Australia: common questions
Do you tip in Australia?
Yes, for some services. Of the 20 services we track in Australia, tipping is expected for 0 and appreciated for 4. Australia has a strong minimum wage and tipping is optional. A small tip for exceptional service is welcome but never assumed.
How much do you tip at a restaurant in Australia?
Round up to nearest A$5–10, or 10% at upmarket venues. That works out to 0–10% of the bill. Tipping at sit-down restaurants is genuinely optional because servers earn at least the national minimum wage (A$24.95/hr in 2025) plus 25% Saturday loading, 50% Sunday loading and 150% public-holiday loading under most hospitality awards.
How much do you tip a taxi driver in Australia?
Round up to nearest A$5 or A$10. Lonely Planet states Australian taxi drivers "will not expect you to tip at the end of a taxi ride, but rounding up the fare to the nearest A$1 to A$5 is common practice." For a A$23 fare most Australians say "make it $25" — they do not calculate percentages.
Do you tip hotel housekeeping in Australia?
A$2–5 per night at upscale hotels; nothing at budget. Lonely Planet notes "it is not standard practice to tip hotel cleaning staff or porters" in Australia, but for exemplary service A$5/day is a reasonable gesture.
Where is tipping not expected in Australia?
Tipping is unusual for 4 services: bar, grocery delivery, movers, and tradesperson. Leaving nothing is completely normal in these situations.
Should you tip in cash or by card in Australia?
Cash is preferred for 11 of the 20 services we track in Australia, because card tips do not always reach staff. Carrying small notes is worth it.