# Do you tip in Australia, why does the card machine ask, and what is the public holiday surcharge?

> Tipping is not expected in Australia because staff earn a full wage. Why the card machine still asks, what the weekend surcharge is, and when to round up.

- Source: https://clevertourists.com/resources/tipping-in-australia-restaurants-guide
- Authors: Evan & Clara, Clever Tourists (first-hand, from years of travel across 20 countries)
- Published: 2026-02-05

Australia is the clearest case in this series: tipping is not expected, staff are paid a proper hourly wage, and the menu price is the price. The confusion comes from card machines that prompt for 10, 15 or 20 percent — a default in imported payment software rather than an Australian custom — and from holiday surcharges that look like a service charge but are not one.

## Quick answer

**Restaurants and cafés:** nothing is expected. Ten percent is fine for genuinely excellent service at a nicer restaurant.

**Card machine prompts:** press no or skip. Locals do this routinely and nobody is offended.

**Bars and pubs:** no tip. Order at the bar, pay, done.

**Taxis and rideshare:** round up if you like. Not expected.

**Public holiday surcharge:** this is not a tip — see below.

## Why there is no tipping culture

Australian hospitality staff are paid award wages set by law, and there is no sub-minimum tipped wage as there is in the United States. The tip is not making up a wage shortfall, so there is no social obligation behind it.

The listed menu price includes service and GST. What you see is what you pay.

This also means service does not degrade when you fail to tip. It is not contingent on it.

## The surcharge that is not a tip

On public holidays, and sometimes weekends, many venues add a **surcharge of around 10–15%**. This is legal and it exists to cover the higher penalty rates the business must pay staff on those days.

It is not discretionary, not a tip, and not negotiable. Menus usually state it, and good venues state it clearly.

Because it is already covering the staff's higher pay, it is another reason no tip is needed on those days.

## The card machine prompt

Many terminals in Australia are built on North American payment software, where a tip prompt is the default. The prompt appears regardless of local custom.

Press no, skip, or zero. Staff see this hundreds of times a day.

If you do want to tip, the practical way is to tell them the amount rather than fight the terminal interface.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do you tip in Australia?

Not usually. Staff earn a full wage and the menu price includes service. Rounding up or 10% for excellent service is optional and appreciated.

### Why does the card machine ask for a tip in Australia?

The payment software is often imported and defaults to prompting. It is not an Australian custom, and pressing no or skip is normal.

### What is the public holiday surcharge in Australia?

Around 10-15% added on public holidays to cover legally required higher staff pay. It is not a tip and it is not discretionary.

### Do you tip taxi drivers in Australia?

Not expected. Rounding up is a common courtesy but nothing more is required.