If it helps, remember that she’s paid more than double minimum US wage and gets that whether or not she’s friendly, surly, efficient, useless or outright horrible. You paid her wages to her employer when you paid for your meal; she’s even earning 9.5% into her superannuation (mandatory retirement savings). If it’s a public holiday, she might even be on a higher hourly rate than you. If you really want to thank her for exceptional service, thank her for the exceptional service. Tell her boss. Leave positive feedback for the venue online. Tell your friends, tell your fellow travelers. These are all better ways of rewarding good service in a country that has a livable minimum wage.
It’s just that not tipping is a major faux pas in the US. It would be (sort of) like if we told you you should make sure to stand up and scratch your butt when you were done with dinner in the US. Even if you knew that was the norm here, wouldn’t you feel awkward doing it?
I do understand that, completely, and yes I would. It’s just that I fear the spread of tipping culture might undermine our current system; if our reasonably-paid waiters start getting lots of tips then the government is going to want in on that and will want to tax it, and then business owners - who are already agitating to scrap penalty rates - will have a platform to campaign for lower wages for staff because they are earning money through tips, and here we go sliding down the slippery slope of obscenely low wages for service staff and obligated tipping, and how are they going to manage superannuation contributions in that circumstance?
It’s not just that I don’t want to tip. The whole idea that business owners massively underpay their staff so their customers are forced to make up the shortfall from their own pockets, but being a voluntary system they can choose how much to pay or not pay for the services they received after the fact and the service providers can be denied payment on a whim… it’s just ugly to my Australian way of thinking. They show up to work, they should get paid. If there’s a problem with their performance, that should be between them and their boss. Customers pay for their menu items and the service is included in that price; if they’re unhappy with the service they should complain, and if they are very happy with it then they can say so.
No. Not only don’t I tip, but I’m one of the Australians who gets annoyed at foreign visitors who tip whilst in Australia. You’re messing up our local economy that considers service jobs to be equal to other jobs. If you keep tipping, it will distort the wage structure so that we’ll need to have tipping.
Australia was one of the first places to have a minimum wage based on how much workers needed to live instead of how much employers wanted to pay, and there is now an annual commission tasked with incrementing that wage.
See the Battle of Brisbane for what can happen when rich foreigners come along with their nylon stockings and annoying tipping habits.
As an aside, I’ve just got back from 6 years in the UK. It’s so nice not to have to work out what counts as “table service” (tipping required) and “counter service” (tipping optional) when you order at the counter and are served at the table.
What’s the difference between a Aussie and a Canoe, Canoes tip.
I researched this extensively and talked to all my Aussie mates.
In anything less than a white tablecloth restaurant, those that cater to tourists and foodies- you just dump the coin change or maybe if there is none, a buck.
Now, in those “white tablecloth restaurants” tipping is more common. Ask the maître d’. Especially in touristy areas. Especially if the service was exceptional.
However, do note that Aussies, altho very nice and friendly folks- are not appreciated here by waitstaff as somehow they can’t learn “when in Rome”. In Trader Sams, a really cool bar in the Disneyland hotel, a whole group of 8 Aussies sat there for hours ordering round after round- and tipped $1. :eek:
Dudes- it’s 15-20% here- if someone takes your order and brings your food/drink. If there’s a “tip jar” then yes, do your old “dump the change in it” but think about making it a whole dollar if the change is only 14 cents.
Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. 
I understand where the OP is coming from, asking this question.
With the majority of the population on the East side of the country, it’s easy to assume that the people of Perth wouldn’t be enough to counter-balance all that weight. Mathematically this is true; however, what you’ve failed to calculate is the sheer immensity of landmass that is Australia. In actuality, as you can see from this topographical map Australia (in general) tends towards more of a U shape rather than leaning heavily in any one direction.
The two occasions for tipping in Australia are paying a restaurant bill, and a taxi. Tipping in any other situation is virtually unknown (except by US tourists!). And tipping at those two times is not universal or expected either, you’d generally tip only for service above and beyond.
Credit cards have just recently changed to not accept signatures, which removes the opportunity to write in a tip amount. It’s PIN or just paywave/tap only now, and restaurants report that tips have dropped even further.
You never see that US thing where the tip is automatically added to the bill.
I appreciate all of the responses and if anyone is still listening, I’d like to ask a follow-up question.
IYHO, do you think that servers will expect a tip from Americans or will think ill thoughts of Americans that don’t tip?
This will vary from person to person. I don’t have a lot of respect for someone who receives $17/hour, penalty rates, 4 weeks annual leave, sick leave, superannuation, and works in an establishment that includes all those expenses in their menu pricing, and then expects extra money on top of that, but only from one nationality. But from what I hear, you’re pretty unlikely to be impressed with the service here anyway. Americans frequently complain about our lousy service staff, while Australians traveling in the US often say they were uncomfortable with the amount of attention the waitstaff paid them.
Like I said above, when your accent is heard there may be some hope that you will be a sucker and tip. There will be no righteous expectation however.
I’m not American, but I am Canadian, and to Australians, we sound pretty much the same, accent-wise.
IME, on numerous times in Australia, where I had been advised by Australian business associates and family to not tip, there seemed to be neither expectation nor disappointment when I didn’t. In fact, I had many pleasant conversations with barmen, even after I pocketed the change for my drink. They didn’t appear to give it a second thought.
Based on 20 years experience seeing how Aussies, as a group, tip servers in the US,
AND
assuming that is an indication of what they do in their home country,
I would have to give an emphatic,
NO. They don’t tip. Ever.
Or expect them.
Not even a busy pub - I worked a few nights / weekends in a small country pub - even there I would normally serve 30 - 40 drinks in an hour - on a slow night
What’s the difference between an Aussie and Yoghurt?
Yoghurt has culture.
And naturally - we all know the Australian haka…
Well, some Canadians, and some Australians anyway. Mostly if we have a conversation in which you tell me “about” something, I’ll have you figured out.
Listen for “sorry”. If you hear “sore-y”, well you got yourself a Canadian there, son.
It’s not infallible 
Not even when they are in the USA and are supposed to tip. 
I agree! Unfortunately I live in Canada. I generally love it, tipping however, just seems like I’m doing the restaurant owners job. Just raise the price of food already.
When I first flew into Darwin a couple years ago, my brothers and I sat down at a restaurant that generally served burgers. I think the price was 16-18 bucks…side of fries included. On first blush it seemed expensive but we were thrilled when we went up to cash and paid precisely that.