Gift Amount Calculator

Australian Gift Amount Guide

Navigating gift amounts for Australian celebrations can feel overwhelming, especially when you want to give appropriately without breaking the bank. This comprehensive guide covers Australian gifting etiquette for weddings, baby showers, birthdays, and other special occasions, helping you determine the right amount to give based on your relationship with the recipient and the type of event.

Wedding Gift Guide (Australia)

Wedding gifts in Australia have evolved significantly over the years, with many couples now preferring monetary gifts through wishing wells rather than traditional registries. If you're attending a wedding with a wishing well, you might find these helpful: how much to give at a wishing well wedding and wedding money gift etiquette.

Close family members (parents, siblings) usually give between $200 and $500, with $300 being a common amount. This reflects the significance of the relationship and the family connection. Extended family members typically give $150–$300, while close friends often give similar amounts to extended family, around $150–$300.

For friends, the typical range is $100–$200, with $150 being most common. Workplace colleagues typically give $50–$150, with $100 being a standard amount. The amount may be higher if you're close friends outside of work. If you want a general overview, see our wedding wishing well guide.

Location can influence amounts slightly, with major cities like Sydney and Melbourne having slightly higher expectations (typically 10–20% more). However, personal relationship and financial circumstances matter more than location. If you're travelling significant distances to attend, some people adjust their gift amount accordingly, though this is entirely personal preference.

Baby Shower Gift Amounts

Baby shower gifts in Australia typically range from $20 to $250, depending on your relationship to the expecting parents. If you're contributing to a fund, check baby shower wishing wells or browse our baby shower wishing well guide.

Close family members often give $100–$250, while friends typically give $30–$100, with $50 being a common amount.

Group gifts are particularly popular for baby showers, as they allow multiple people to contribute smaller amounts (typically $20–$50 per person) toward larger, more expensive items like prams, car seats, or nursery furniture.

The amount you give may also depend on whether this is the couple's first child (often higher) or subsequent children (sometimes slightly lower). However, many people maintain consistent amounts regardless, as each child is equally special.

Birthday Gifting

Birthday gift amounts in Australia vary significantly based on the person's age, the milestone being celebrated, and your relationship. If you're gifting via a wishing well, start here: birthday wishing wells.

For close family, amounts typically range from $50–$200, with $100 being common. Friends usually give $20–$75, with $40–$50 being typical.

Milestone birthdays (21st, 30th, 40th, 50th) often warrant higher amounts, with 21st birthdays being particularly significant in Australian culture. If you're attending a milestone, these guides may help: 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th.

Children's birthdays typically involve smaller amounts, with friends' parents contributing $15–$40 per child. The focus is usually on the celebration and presence rather than the gift amount.

Group Gifting Etiquette (Teachers, Coaches, Colleagues)

Group gifts are increasingly popular in Australia, especially for teacher appreciation, coach recognition, and workplace milestones. If you're organising a collection, PocketWell is built for group gifting.

For teacher gifts, individual family contributions typically range from $20–$60, with $30–$35 being most common. If you're doing an end-of-year collection, you might also like teacher gift amounts (end of year), or set up a teacher gift wishing well.

Coach gifts follow similar patterns, with families contributing $20–$60 each toward a group gift typically totalling $100–$300. For more detail, see coach gift amounts (end of season) or set up a coach gift wishing well.

For workplace collections (maternity leave, retirement, farewells), colleagues typically contribute $25–$100 each, depending on their relationship with the recipient and the workplace culture. You can also use PocketWell for maternity leave gifts and retirement gifts.

Regional Notes: Big Cities vs Regional Australia

While gift amounts can vary slightly by location in Australia, the differences are usually modest. Major cities like Sydney (NSW) and Melbourne (VIC) tend to have slightly higher expectations, typically 10–20% more than regional areas or general Australian averages.

However, personal relationship, financial circumstances, and cultural background matter far more than location. A close friend in regional Queensland may give the same amount as a close friend in Sydney, and both would be considered appropriate.

The most important factor is giving within your means and from the heart. No one expects you to give beyond your financial capacity, and thoughtful gifts are appreciated regardless of amount. Online wishing wells like PocketWell make it easy to contribute any amount securely—whether you're in a major city or regional Australia.

Using PocketWell for Your Gifts

PocketWell makes it easy to send monetary gifts for any occasion. Whether you're contributing to a wedding wishing well, baby shower fund, or a group gift collection, PocketWell provides a secure, convenient way to give.

The process is simple: the host shares their PocketWell page link or QR code, you choose your gift amount, add a personal message if desired, and pay securely using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or your debit/credit card. You can browse examples on Events or find answers in our FAQ.

PocketWell is free for hosts, with no setup fees or subscriptions. Guests pay a small service fee plus standard payment processing fees, which are clearly displayed before payment. This transparent approach ensures everyone knows exactly what they're paying, making it easier to budget for gifts.