Tipping in Australia: what are the rules for rewarding waiters?

Tourists are generous, young families less so. In a country where wages are robust and egalitarianism is prized, how comfortable are we with tipping?

Australia is a nation divided over tipping. In the US the rule is to add 15% to 20% to the bill. In the UK many restaurants add a 12.5% service charge – and if not, people normally tip about 10% unless the service was bad. Here in Australia the rules are there are no rules.

My sources in Australia’s upper-tier restaurants anecdotally report that more than half of customers tip. But what about in cafes or less high-end restaurants? Or for takeaway food? The most operators at the lower end of the spectrum can expect is pocket change or the bill rounded up a couple of dollars.

Related: Top tips on tipping around the world