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11 June 2026
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Investopedia recently ran an article on tipping practices around the world. It's useful to know, especially in the US where many staff are so poorly paid that the 20% tip barely takes them up to minimum wage.
But they say this about Australia, which is way off the mark. Who doesn't leave at least a small tip in a restaurant in Australia?
Australia
In a country where the toilets flush backwards, it may not surprise you to find that Australia's tipping customs are completely opposite from those in North America. Essentially, there is no tipping in Australian restaurants. The minimum wage for servers is $15 per hour, which eliminates any pressure on customers to supplement a server's income. Small tips are appreciated for exceptional service or in upscale eateries, but they aren't expected. While this seems like a great deal for the customer, there is a downside. Taking tips off the table eliminates a lot of incentive for servers to increase customer satisfaction, and the sometimes-lackadaisical service can be frustrating for diners who are used to being catered to.
http://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0511/the-diners-guide-to-tipping.aspx?utm_source=financial-edge&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=PF-6/04/2013
Hello . Australia , Ireland , and Japan where tipping at , all including in taxis , is not expected ; according to my experience as a merchant seaman for over twenty years . Take care , Ramon Vasquez .
My wife leaves small tips often, here in Australia. But its not really expected, there are tip jars at the front counter and I often seen money in them, but I think its often coins left from cash payments- which are reducing as more people are using cards nowadays.
Marketed as a fix for inequality and housing affordability, the latest budget instead delivers a tangle of tax changes that leave everyday Australians worse off.
Australia may not levy formal death duties, but a growing web of tax measures is quietly shaping what wealth passes between generations. Now, the 2026 budget adds another layer.
The lithium rally mirrors the early-2010s tech stock surge, with demand set to double by 2030. Supply has been slow to respond, creating a market deficit for future tech like humanoid robotics and solid-state batteries.
The debate over the budget is increasingly shaped by frustration and perceptions of unfairness, rather than clear-eyed assessment of policy outcomes.
Inflation doesn’t just raise today’s bills - it quietly increases the amount needed to retire, while simultaneously making it harder to save. Three steps to take before June 30th to improve retirement outcomes.
Inheritance tax implications in Australia may surprise some, as poor estate planning without proper wills or trusts can lead to costly tax bills and delays for beneficiaries.
New CGT rules could tip the scales in the super vs non-super debate. For those facing the Division 296 tax, the case for withdrawing has gotten more complex. A "comparison rate" tool may help assess decisions.
Proposed Budget changes to taxation are casting new uncertainty over testamentary trusts, prompting closer scrutiny of estate planning structures and the real implications of reforms still taking shape.
Examining how five "tax cuts" stack up against bracket creep. Why offsets and incremental changes may do little to ease rising average tax burdens, compared to structural reform through indexation over time.
Quality strategies shine globally, but Australia's concentrated market tells a different story. Limited diversification and sector dominance can constrain the defensive outcomes investors have seen in broader markets.
As private markets expand, investors face a growing mix of structures, a stabilising private equity cycle and uneven AI disruption. Fresh questions are being raised about where the real opportunities now sit.
As EOFY approaches, structured giving offers a tax-effective way to support charities, while allowing donations to grow over time and play a longer-term role in family wealth and legacy planning outcomes.
Stock picking often gets the spotlight, but research shows asset allocation explains the vast majority of long‑term returns. Understanding your mix of growth and defensive assets is the real key to investment success.