State by state: Australia’s most and least generous tippers

When it comes to tipping, one Australian state outshines the others for generosity. Tasmanians take the crown for being Australia’s most generous tippers, while NSW folk are the least generous.

The typical Australian tip is $16.06, but Tasmanians are more generous than most, leaving a $23 tip on average, while those in NSW leave an average tip of $11, according to data from payments platform Zeller.

Victorians appear to be more generous, tipping an average $18, while South Australians leave $12.

Western Australians are the second-most generous state of tippers at $20, followed by Queensland and Victoria at $18. Northern Territory and NSW residents tip $11 on average and Canberrans leave $7 on top of their bill.

Zeller chief and co-founder Ben Pfisterer said while there were no definitive reasons some states tended to tip more, tip values were likely linked to hospitality culture and customer service.

“Ultimately, as a country, we’re not an implied tipping country, or a culture where everyone has to tip; it is fundamentally still linked to great service,” Pfisterer said.

“It’s certainly interesting to see the stats coming through that there is a clear discrepancy between different states.”

He was unsurprised to see Tasmania “punching above their weight” through its world-class produce and local economy built upon travel and hospitality, while Victoria’s higher average tip compared with NSW would likely “put a bit of fuel on the fire” of the Sydney-Melbourne rivalry.