I may have missed the thread if this topic has been discussed before. If so, sorry.

I've had mixed messages about whether and, if you should, when tipping is expected/acceptable in Australia.

One (never) source says never as its seen as demeaning and a little insulting. (On the other hand, the taxi driver I asked about this didn't seem to find my offer of a couple of dollors in top of the fare demeaning!!)

One says sometimes, depending on service being provided and its quality.

Before I arrive, I'd like to get a handle on this.

Thanks

Alistair

Much less expected than in the UK.
I only tip the cab drivers here if the service is worth it (so very rarely!!!).

Tipping doesnt seem to be expected too much here.I havent head of any one being insulted.If you are happy with the service I would say feel free to tip.

I always tip my cabbies (both here and back home in Australia) but I don't tip anyone else.

Australia doesn't really have a tradition of tipping, so it's not expected.

Restaurant waiting staff usually expect (and get) a tip in the vicinity of 10% - never more than that.

It is not expected in Australia.

I am so interested in this one too. Every time we go out, we don't know if we need to or not.
We never do at places that have a weekend surcharge, whats that all about??
But would love know what is correct, should you or shouldnt you and how do you know?

Only tip if you want to tip. There is no obligation.

Weekend surcharges are like public holidays - they put the prices up, often by around 10%, but thats included in what they charge you, its not a tip.

I suspect this is down to local custom. It certainly was expected in the six years I lived in Sydney.

Yeah I know its not a tip, but it really bugs me. If you don't want to work on weekends dont work in that business

That's true. The weekend rates for waitressing used to be a lot higher than week day rates.....years ago I got $10 an hour M-F, $13 on a Sat and $16 on a Sun...

I have lived in Sydney my entire life and have NEVER tipped anyone. If anyone ever asks for a tip tell them to move to Yankieland. Tipping is actually illegal as it is payment directly to a person engaged in employment, which by law you may only receive payment via a Bank account.

Otherwise it is classified as tax evasion and you have just committed a crime by paying that employee.

1. It's not illegal
2. I always declared it on my income tax returns.

Which part of Sydney do you live in or dine in?

I'm surprised by some of these posts; I always thought tipping was expected in Oz much like it is in the UK. I always tipped for good service in Singapore even though it's not expected, so I'll carry on doing it here in Sydney but maybe not feel so tight when I don't tip bad service.

The one place that confuses me is the hair salon - in the UK I would tip the junior that washed my hair and give them and the stylist a little bonus at Christmas. Here I seem to have at least 3 people attend to me every time I go, and the junior doesn't hang around to hand me my coat, etc., so I'm not sure what to do.