Tipping in Australia and New Zealand

[fishtaco]

On the Aussie Princess and P&O ships (with no tipping) we no longer get the stories of how underpaid the stewards/waiters are.:)

 

Personally I have never thought that cruise staff were drastically underpaid even when P&O/Princess didnt include the Gratuities in the price.

 

Their wage structure is relevant to what they get paid in their own countries, Australians working on cruise ships get paid more in line with what they get at home same as an Indonesian Indian or Filipino staff members.

 

Given Indonesian service workers earn around $100 per month in Indonesia then Indonesian s working on a cruise ship are earning more or the potential to earn much more than they would at home.

 

If those same Asian cruise staff lived in Australia they could not afford to take a cruise ship job same as other Australians cant.

 

This is where many people get confused and relate a cruise workers wage to their own and then feel sorry for the little they earn in comparison to their own income!

 

Some talk about the gruelling hours cruise staff work but the working hours are no different to the hours of work they would have to do in their own country for less pay.

 

USA cruise staff who do not live in USA and are sourced from other countries apparently get paid little to no wage and rely solely on tips, This is yet to be proven as fact. USA Service workers get paid much less than Australian service workers and rely on Tips to supplement their income and that is fact.

 

Not too many USA cruisers are paying the recommended $12 pp per day and the reason some US cruise lines are introducing Auto daily Tips just like P&O had before they were factored into the cruise price.

 

Many USA cruisers believe that when they have their Gratuities paid for them as a "Perk" that that amount goes to the workers, in reality they possibly get none of it as its just a fare reduction to get their business.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

All I can say is..What great entertainment reading this thread, cheaper than going to the movies too.

 

I believe money is made round to go round, so I tip here and overseas if the service is to my expectations, not just because I have to. In my mind, tipping is a private/personal thing, end of story. Have a nice Sunday everybody, I await the next episode, this is better than the American tipping threads !

 

 

:D:D

[jannandjohn]

Quoting Ceejay

as an employer you must record all tips received and where they go. All tips must be accounted for, otherwise YOU are liable. ..

I have absoulutely no idea what staff get in tips, I dont see their money if a client passes to them, that is their income..not mine..I dont invade their tip jars.

My accountant only wants to know what I get..

 

quoting ceejay...again(his post read like I had written it..).

 

is he earning this, or is he in business for himself (ie, sub contracting)? If he is a wage earner, then there is no PAYG tax on such a small amount, but it sounds like he is subcontracting (if he is paying the GST) and in business for himself? That is a whole different ball game and your comments might be considered a bit misleading for those who don't understand the complexities of running a business and the different tax structure (and benefits) that would apply to your husband.

I have already stated that driving a cab requires different rules by the ATO..gst is to be collected by every driver, owner or not, and is paid to the ATO by the driver for what ever portion he recieves from the income that day..

You have no idea what you are talking about..if he earns 60 as a driver, he HAS to pay ten percent, or in his case, 6 dollars gst for that day, his gst is done on a bas statement monthly.

There are no BENEFITS.

He is just a driver these days working for an owner.

(He was an owner before he kinda retired, 10 yrs ago but got bored)

[Aus Traveller]

I have already stated that driving a cab requires different rules by the ATO..gst is to be collected by every driver, owner or not, and is paid to the ATO by the driver for what ever portion he recieves from the income that day..

You have no idea what you are talking about..if he earns 60 as a driver, he HAS to pay ten percent, or in his case, 6 dollars gst for that day, his gst is done on a bas statement monthly.

 

You are both business people, so I'm sure you know how GST works. It is one-eleventh of the gross amount. Therefore if someone receives $60, they have to pay $5.45 in GST to the Tax Office (not $6), leaving a net amount of $54.55. The 10% that you are thinking off is the amount of GST added to the net amount ($54.55 + $5.45 = $60.00).

 

Unless the amount of $60 you mention that he "earns" is the net amount, not the amount of fares paid by passengers.

[NSWP]

 

:D:D

Thanks Eileen, yes I am a bit of a Chef. LOL.

[jannandjohn]

You are both business people, so I'm sure you know how GST works. It is one-eleventh of the gross amount. Therefore if someone receives $60, they have to pay $5.45 in GST to the Tax Office (not $6), leaving a net amount of $54.55. The 10% that you are thinking off is the amount of GST added to the net amount ($54.55 + $5.45 = $60.00).

 

Unless the amount of $60 you mention that he "earns" is the net amount, not the amount of fares paid by passengers.

 

Sorry, no I didn't divide it by eleven :rolleyes:

It was just easier to say 6 bucks..holey moley...who cares.

[Aussieflyer]

All I can say is..What great entertainment reading this thread, cheaper than going to the movies too.

 

I believe money is made round to go round, so I tip here and overseas if the service is to my expectations, not just because I have to. In my mind, tipping is a private/personal thing, end of story. Have a nice Sunday everybody, I await the next episode, this is better than the American tipping threads !

 

Agree wholeheartedly - I kick myself everytime I put forward an opinion on tipping on the A & NZ board. Afterwards I always remember that I vowed not to get involved.

It is more polarised than a Cunard dress code thread :)

Pass the popcorn...again.

[The_Big_M]

As the saying goes, we get the politicians we deserve.

 

Nobody should be surprised at the 'spin' from Canberra, with all the 'spin' coming out of this thread...

[Aussieflyer]

As the saying goes, we get the politicians we deserve.

 

Nobody should be surprised at the 'spin' from Canberra, with all the 'spin' coming out of this thread...

 

and your point is?

[The_Big_M]

and your point is?

 

A comment. Just like yours about passing the popcorn.

[cassamanda]

Shhhhushhhh. Speak quietly about tipping in Oz. least favourite topic.

See I told you to keep it quiet:D

[sun-set]

on the US ships a lot of aussies cancel their gratuities and pay different employees a tip, the point is you are still giving a tip....i read that Sutho leaves his gratuities on but i cant see what the difference is between paying the gratuities and giving joe blow a tip because you got good service

 

on the princess and p&o AU ships we dont have to put up with these tips because we have paid our gratuities in with the fare....the staff know what they are getting each month but on the US ships they know that people will remove the gratuities even tho they do their job well

 

 

This is true tips are for exceptional service by individual staff and is in addition to their normal pay.

The extra charge that cruise lines add to passengers cruise cards and they call gratuities is paid to all employees including those offering the worst :mad: as well as the best :( service.

This is not tips but part of your fare hidden from the up front fare, giving an advantage to cruise lines not based in Australia.

As for some of the staff getting tips, while others behind the scenes are getting none, this happens on shore as well, which is why tipping is such a bad practice.

Australian minimum pay is the same in industries that can receive tips as those that can't, so any tipping makes those industries much better paid than others that work just as hard, and are probably paying the tips.

 

Isn't this fun, I have been told not to get involved, but!!!

[Aussieflyer]

A comment. Just like yours about passing the popcorn.

 

Yeah, but a bit over the view that Canberra equals federal government and revisiting yet again the same arguments about tipping in Australia. Flippant comment on popcorn indicates that the topic has become about as relevant as a movie.:)

Touché

[Sandielle]

Well I would not know about mens barber shops as I have stopped visiting them. I got sick of the line up of old ageing pensioners with half a head of hair lined up for a very short trim of the measly little bits of hair they had left on their balding heads. I simply gave up and either did it myself or found a place I could book in to.

 

Wow, all I can say is that, with your attitude, it is going to hit you hard when YOU become one of these old ageing pensioners with their measly little bits of hair......and, believe me, you will be in the same boat one day. That is, if you live long enough! ;);):D:D

[yatchet]

 

:D:D

Is this the tipping jar at Jannandjohn's barber shop?:D

[The_Big_M]

Yeah, but a bit over the view that Canberra equals federal government and revisiting yet again the same arguments about tipping in Australia. Flippant comment on popcorn indicates that the topic has become about as relevant as a movie.:)

Touché

 

The comment was actually about the 'spin' that is coming from some.

[Big Kev]

I guess that most people on this site, being residents, dont travel with LOCAL tour companies, and never experienced them. Some others obviously live in a cacoon. and don't leave home much whilst in this country.

 

Reckon this, below, sumarizes it nicely, far as our part of the world is concerned.

 

One of Australia/NZ largest respected tour companies, AAT Kings, puts it this way..

 

" While it’s not compulsory in Australia or New Zealand, tipping is becoming an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis. Likewise on your AAT Kings tour, if you feel that your Tour Director, Driver or Driver guide has done an excellent job, then we would recommend tipping up to the equivalent of AUD$5/NZ$5 per day. However, it’s not compulsory. It is up to you!"

 

.

[Aus Traveller]

I guess that most people on this site, being residents, dont travel with LOCAL tour companies, and never experienced them. Some others obviously live in a cacoon. and don't leave home much whilst in this country.

 

Reckon this, below, sumarizes it nicely, far as our part of the world is concerned.

 

One of Australia/NZ largest respected tour companies, AAT Kings, puts it this way..

 

" While it’s not compulsory in Australia or New Zealand, tipping is becoming an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis. Likewise on your AAT Kings tour, if you feel that your Tour Director, Driver or Driver guide has done an excellent job, then we would recommend tipping up to the equivalent of AUD$5/NZ$5 per day. However, it’s not compulsory. It is up to you!"

 

.

 

I interpret this as one company trying to get customers to tip, probably to make the company employees (driver and tour director) happier with their job. They have to receive award wages, but if the employer can encourage customers to add to these wages, well, the effect is the employee getting a pay rise that doesn't cost the company one cent. :) I'm not falling for it.

[Yillup]

I guess that most people on this site, being residents, dont travel with LOCAL tour companies, and never experienced them. Some others obviously live in a cacoon. and don't leave home much whilst in this country.

 

Reckon this, below, sumarizes it nicely, far as our part of the world is concerned.

 

One of Australia/NZ largest respected tour companies, AAT Kings, puts it this way..

 

" While it’s not compulsory in Australia or New Zealand, tipping is becoming an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis. Likewise on your AAT Kings tour, if you feel that your Tour Director, Driver or Driver guide has done an excellent job, then we would recommend tipping up to the equivalent of AUD$5/NZ$5 per day. However, it’s not compulsory. It is up to you!"

 

.

 

Wow, that is amazing. A company that caters to overseas passengers who are used to tipping, suggests giving their drivers and tour operators more money even though they're already paid decent wages. I wonder why they'd be suggesting that? They're such unbiased sources of information...

 

Hehehe

 

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Forums mobile app

[Sutho]

I guess that most people on this site, being residents, dont travel with LOCAL tour companies, and never experienced them. Some others obviously live in a cacoon. and don't leave home much whilst in this country.

 

Reckon this, below, sumarizes it nicely, far as our part of the world is concerned.

 

One of Australia/NZ largest respected tour companies, AAT Kings, puts it this way..

 

" While it’s not compulsory in Australia or New Zealand, tipping is becoming an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis. Likewise on your AAT Kings tour, if you feel that your Tour Director, Driver or Driver guide has done an excellent job, then we would recommend tipping up to the equivalent of AUD$5/NZ$5 per day. However, it’s not compulsory. It is up to you!"

 

.

 

Ummm...seriously!! you really need to be careful with what you write. Exactly two years ago to this very week I used AAT Kings for my day tours from Ayers Rock Resort. I did several torus with them to the Rock, Olgas, Kings Canyon. I can tell you one thing for sure is that no one tipped on those coaches and the majority of passengers was a close split between Australian and Japanese.

 

I can also tell you something else about Japan. They do not tip in that county and having been there they will refuse to accept tips under any circumstances. Just ask the British on Arcadia's 2012 Grand Odyssey, the Japanese refused to take tips off them.

 

On all the tours I did with AAT Kings no tipping was expected, I did not tip and the drivers and guides did not line up for anything.

[Big Kev]

Ummm...seriously!! you really need to be careful with what you write. Exactly two years ago to this very week I used AAT Kings for my day tours from Ayers Rock Resort. I did several torus with them to the Rock, Olgas, Kings Canyon. I can tell you one thing for sure is that no one tipped on those coaches and the majority of passengers was a close split between Australian and Japanese.

 

I can also tell you something else about Japan. They do not tip in that county and having been there they will refuse to accept tips under any circumstances. Just ask the British on Arcadia's 2012 Grand Odyssey, the Japanese refused to take tips off them.

 

On all the tours I did with AAT Kings no tipping was expected, I did not tip and the drivers and guides did not line up for anything.

 

 

Don't know what you mean by that. Why should I be careful? :confused:

 

Well of course we all know that some of you probably would not have tipped, but I am merely answering the OP's question about tipping EXPECTATIONS in Australia.

 

The OP was not asking about JAPAN :rolleyes:

 

It is certainly not compulsory to pay gratuities, you can do what you please, and so can I.

 

Obviously, it appears that you should be more "careful". You suggest you know all about AAT king ??? Maybe best read what is documented in the FAQ on AAT Kings website.

Here.. http://www.aatkings.com/au/things-to-know/faq/#tour

 

Most coach tour companies in USA and Europe have the same expectations, and have ever since our first Trafalgar tour, many years ago. They too, are not compulsory tips..

 

Personally, we prefer to "go with the flow" for happy travels. :)

 

 

Phil

 

.

[Aus Traveller]

I did an AAT Kings day tour to Palm Valley and didn't see anything about tipping, although it might have been on the company website. It wasn't mentioned on the day and I didn't see anyone tip at the end of the day. :)

 

If we are not careful, tipping might become the 'norm' here, even though every employee is paid award wages or more. I do understand that some self-employed people (like the taxi driver mentioned earlier) might receive less money, but it is their right to choose to work elsewhere.

[gek]

The Australian attitude to tipping just makes me SICK!!!! Minimum wages are a SOCIALIST plot!!! The POOR of this country need to learn to WORK HARDER so they can be rewarded with TIPS from their betters. The MINIMUM wage is a SOCIALIST con job!!! There is no INCENTIVE to work in this country

 

Just look at JAPAN. No tipping, but plenty of EARTHQUAKES and TSUNAMIS. And GODZILLA!!! It's because THEY ARE SOCIALISTS!!!! It's only a matter of time before RAMPANT SOCIALISM kills our country and we are invaded by GIANT LIZARDS!!!!!!

 

So my friends, don't forget to tip if you want to make Australia a better country. Thankyou for reading my contribution to this important thread.

[Sutho]

Don't know what you mean by that. Why should I be careful? :confused:

 

Well of course we all know that some of you probably would not have tipped, but I am merely answering the OP's question about tipping EXPECTATIONS in Australia.

 

The OP was not asking about JAPAN :rolleyes:

 

It is certainly not compulsory to pay gratuities, you can do what you please, and so can I.

 

Obviously, it appears that you should be more "careful". You suggest you know all about AAT king ??? Maybe best read what is documented in the FAQ on AAT Kings website.

Here.. http://www.aatkings.com/au/things-to-know/faq/#tour

 

Most coach tour companies in USA and Europe have the same expectations, and have ever since our first Trafalgar tour, many years ago. They too, are not compulsory tips..

 

Personally, we prefer to "go with the flow" for happy travels. :)

 

 

Phil

 

.

 

Well you do need to be careful because I have personally done AAT Kings and there is no tipping expected at all. It is un-Australian to tip and I think that the Australians that do it are nothing but pretentious social climbers who I would want nothing to do with. Those type of people disgust me and are the lowest of the low in Australian society and don't deserve time of day. They are nothing but trash. What kind of scumbag goes around throwing cash at people already highly paid just to boost their ego and make themselves look all noble.

[jannandjohn]

I do understand that some self-employed people (like the taxi driver mentioned earlier) might receive less money, but it is their right to choose to work elsewhere.

 

Not likely at 77...

Fyi..he worked 10 hrs yesterday, brought home 50 bucks..this is before the gst he has to pay on it..and any other taxes.

He only does it to keep his brain alive, thankfully not like some who have to work, but its still pathetic..so bring on the tips for the cabbies..