Work out the tip, the total and each person’s share — with the manual method below if you would rather do it in your head.
| Item | Amount |
|---|
Unlike the USA, tipping is not mandatory or expected in Australia — service staff receive proper wages (minimum $24.10/hr in 2025). However, tipping is appreciated for excellent service at restaurants, cafes, and for delivery drivers.
| Situation | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurant (good service) | 10–15% |
| Café / casual dining | 5–10% or round up |
| Food delivery | $2–$5 in app |
| Taxi / rideshare | Optional, $1–$3 |
| Hotel concierge | Optional, $5–$10 |
Written and reviewed by Mohsin Iqbal · Last reviewed 4 August 2026 · How we calculate
Multiply the bill by the tip percentage, then divide by 100. For a $120 bill at 10%, that is 120 × 10 ÷ 100 = $12, making the total $132.
Tip = bill × percentage ÷ 100
Total = bill + tip
Per person = total ÷ number of people
The mental shortcut most people use: move the decimal point one place left to get 10%. On $86.40 that gives $8.64. Halve it for 5%, double it for 20%, add the two together for 15%.
| Step | Working | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Bill | — | $86.50 |
| Tip at 10% | 86.50 × 10 ÷ 100 | $8.65 |
| Total | 86.50 + 8.65 | $95.15 |
| Split between 2 | 95.15 ÷ 2 | $47.575 |
| Each person pays | rounded | $47.58 |
Two payments of $47.58 come to $95.16 — a cent more than the bill. Splitting rarely lands exactly, and the calculator above flags it when it does not.
| Bill | 5% | 10% | 15% | 18% | 20% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | $1.00 | $2.00 | $3.00 | $3.60 | $4.00 |
| $50 | $2.50 | $5.00 | $7.50 | $9.00 | $10.00 |
| $80 | $4.00 | $8.00 | $12.00 | $14.40 | $16.00 |
| $100 | $5.00 | $10.00 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 |
| $150 | $7.50 | $15.00 | $22.50 | $27.00 | $30.00 |
| $200 | $10.00 | $20.00 | $30.00 | $36.00 | $40.00 |
Australia does not have a tipping culture in the American sense, and the reason is structural rather than cultural. Australian hospitality staff are covered by an award wage, so a tip is a genuine extra rather than a substitute for wages.
| Australia | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Is tipping expected? | No — optional | Yes, socially expected |
| Restaurant, good service | Nothing, or round up to 10% | 18–20% |
| Cafe or takeaway | Rarely | Tip jar common |
| Bar | Rarely | $1–2 per drink |
| Taxi or rideshare | Round up if you like | 10–15% |
| Staff paid a full wage? | Yes, award minimum applies | Often a lower tipped minimum |
The practical effect is that in Australia, not tipping is normal and nobody is offended. Rounding up the bill, or leaving 10% for genuinely good service at a nicer restaurant, is generous rather than expected. Public holiday surcharges of 10–15% are common and are not a tip — they cover penalty rates.
Australian menu prices must include GST, so the figure on your bill is the final price. This differs from the United States, where sales tax is added at the register and Americans often tip on the pre-tax amount.
Because GST is already inside the total, tipping on the bill as printed is simply how it works here. If you wanted to tip on the pre-GST amount you would divide by 1.1 first — on a $110 bill that is $100, and 10% of that is $10 rather than $11. The difference is one dollar, and almost nobody bothers.
Divide the total, including the tip, by the number of people. On a $132 total between four, that is $33 each.
Where it gets awkward is cents. A $115 total split three ways is $38.333 each, and three payments of $38.33 come to $114.99 — a cent short. The calculator above shows the exact figure so you can decide who rounds up. For unequal shares, work out each person's items first, then apply the same tip percentage to each subtotal rather than splitting the tip evenly.
How do you calculate a tip?
Multiply the bill by the tip percentage and divide by 100. A $120 bill at 10% gives 120 × 10 ÷ 100 = $12, so the total is $132. The quickest mental method is to move the decimal one place left for 10%, then halve or double that figure for 5% or 20%.
How much should you tip in Australia?
Nothing is expected. Australian hospitality staff receive an award wage, so tipping is optional. Rounding up the bill or leaving around 10% at a nicer restaurant is considered generous. Not tipping at a cafe, bar or casual venue is entirely normal.
What is 15% of a bill?
Take 10% by moving the decimal one place left, then add half of that again. On $80, 10% is $8.00 and half of that is $4.00, so 15% is $12.00. The same method works for any amount.
Do you tip on the amount before or after GST?
In Australia the question rarely arises, because menu prices already include GST. Most people tip on the bill as printed. Tipping on the pre-GST amount would mean dividing by 1.1 first, which on a $110 bill changes a 10% tip from $11 to $10.
How do you split a bill with a tip?
Add the tip to the bill first, then divide the total by the number of people. A $120 bill with a $12 tip is $132, or $33 each between four. Splitting before adding the tip produces a different and usually incorrect result.
Is a service charge the same as a tip?
No. A service charge is added by the venue and goes to the business, and some venues apply one automatically to large groups. A tip is voluntary and goes to staff. If a service charge already appears on your bill, there is no expectation to add more.
What is a public holiday surcharge?
A percentage added to your bill on public holidays, commonly 10 to 15%, to cover the penalty rates venues must pay staff. It is not a tip and it is not optional. Venues are required to display it before you order.
Should you tip taxi and rideshare drivers in Australia?
Not expected. Rounding the fare up to the nearest dollar or five is common and appreciated. Rideshare apps offer a tipping option, which remains entirely optional here.