🧾Bill Split Calculator

Tipping Culture in Australia

In Australia, tipping is not expected or mandatory because service staff are paid a livable wage under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award. However, for exceptional service in restaurants, a tip of 10% is becoming more common in major cities. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) ensures that surcharges and pricing are transparent, so you always know what you're paying for before the split.

ACCC – Pricing and Surcharges

Understanding GST in Your Bill

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Australia is 10% and is almost always included in the displayed menu price. This makes splitting a bill much simpler than in North America. When you see a $30 steak, that's exactly what you pay. Our calculator takes the total amount including GST to provide an easy per-person cost for your group.

Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

Weekend and Public Holiday Surcharges

It is standard practice in Australia for cafes and restaurants to apply a 10-15% surcharge on Sundays and public holidays to cover higher penalty rates for staff. The ACCC requires businesses to display these surcharges clearly on the menu. When splitting the bill on a holiday, ensure you factor in this percentage to the final total before dividing.

Fair Work Ombudsman

Do Australians usually split the bill evenly?

Yes, 'splitting the bill' evenly is very common in Australia, often referred to as 'going Dutch'. However, many Australian cafes have a 'No Separate Checks' policy, especially during busy periods. It is often easier for one person to pay the full amount on a card and have others transfer money via Osko or PayID, which are near-instant payment systems used by all major Australian banks.

Should I tip at a cafe or pub in Australia?

At a pub or counter-service cafe, tipping is extremely rare. You might see a 'tip jar' for spare change, but it is never expected. For table service, if the service was particularly helpful, 'rounding up' the bill to the nearest $5 or $10 is a friendly gesture but entirely optional. The Fair Work Commission ensures that base wages are sufficient, unlike the US model.

How do I handle the credit card surcharge when splitting?

Many Australian businesses pass on the cost of electronic payments (typically 0.5% to 1.5% for Visa/Mastercard) to the customer. When splitting a bill, if you are paying individually at the counter, the machine will add the surcharge to each transaction. If one person pays for everyone, make sure the group accounts for the small extra fee when paying that person back.