Older Aussies leading the charge against tipping culture

While tipping is a common practice in places like the US, recent research from Money.com.au shows that right here at home, older Australians are at the forefront of pushing back against it.

Half of Australians in or nearing their 60s openly refuse to tip at cafés, restaurants, and bars when asked, insisting it’s simply “not part of Australian culture.”

A nationwide survey of over 1,000 Aussies dug into how people really feel about those now-ubiquitous tipping prompts—whether at QR code checkouts, card terminals, or on the bill.

Among older Australians, half outright refuse to tip, while 15 per cent admit feeling awkward but cave in when pressured.

Another 27 per cent are happy to tip on occasion, but only a tiny fraction—7 per cent—tip to reward great service, and just 4 per cent consistently tip because they believe hospitality workers deserve extra pay.

Sean Callery, Finance Expert at Money.com.au, explains this resistance is rooted in a distinctly Aussie outlook: tipping feels less like a choice and more like an unwelcome obligation.

“Tipping might be the norm in places like the U.S., but Aussies aren’t buying into it, especially older generations. More venues are adding tip prompts of 15–20% at checkout and it feels automated and forced,” he said.

“Most Australians expect hospitality staff to be paid fairly by their employer for providing a service, not subsidised by the customer.”

This attitude isn’t surprising, given the financial squeeze many older Australians face. Tipping adds an extra burden on those already struggling to get by on the age pension.

The recent Cost of Living Longer Report 2024, commissioned by Australian Seniors with research group MyMavins, shines a stark light on this reality.

The study surveyed over 1,000 Australians aged 50 and above, revealing the impact of inflation and rising costs on those relying on the age pension.

Alarmingly, the study found that nearly three in five (58 per cent) are facing moderate to severe financial challenges due to rising costs, with one in 10 (10 per cent) experiencing severe difficulties.

With the cost of living continuing to climb, seven in 10 (69 per cent) now fear that the age pension alone will not be enough to live on.

The financial strain has left nearly three in five (59 per cent) struggling to pay for essentials such as utilities and groceries.

Even more concerning, one in five (20 per cent) have delayed or forgone medical treatment due to costs, placing their health at risk.

Understandably, these difficulties are taking an emotional toll, with around two in five (43 per cent) reporting a decline in their quality of life over the past two years. For 21 per cent, this decline has been considerable or severe.

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