Tax on dining out’: Surcharge spikes set to hit Aussies back pocket
Collectively Aussies will spend millions of dollars in additional costs as the price of visiting cafes, pubs and restaurants is set to soar over the long weekend.   :(


News.com.au
April 18, 2025

Australians will be slugged millions in surcharge payments during the April long weekend, as businesses look to recoup soaring costs.

New research from Money.com.au exclusively for NewsWire revealed Australians will spend an additional $98.4m when going out at cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services over the long weekends.

This is made up of roughly $24.6 million in surcharges per public holiday this April — with key dates including Good Friday, Easter Saturday (in some states), Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, and Anzac Day packed into the month.

This comes as businesses need to charge hefty surcharges to get back some of the cost of wage bills.

The costs were based on public surcharge estimates using ABS retail data for cafes, restaurants, and takeaway food services, based on Aussies spending $5.3bn at an average 15 per cent surcharge.

Money.com.au’s finance expert, Sean Callery says public holidays can feel like an extra tax on dining out, which Aussies should factor in prior to going out.

Aussies will be digging deep this weekend to eat out thanks to surcharges.

Australians will face surcharges of between 10 to 20 per cent.

“Public holiday surcharges can lead to bill shock, so it’s up to you to check the fees, which should be clearly displayed on the menu or elsewhere, before you order.

“They usually range from 10 to 15 per cent, but some venues charge as much as 20 per cent. That means a $100 meal could end up costing you an extra $10 to $20, depending on where you go.”

AMP chief economist Shane Oliver said the surcharges and the timing of the public holidays could have an impact on consumer spending, although he still expects a spike in sales over the traditionally busy trading period.


“This may make some people a bit reticent and they might think twice about spending, but still I think most people would still spend,” Dr Oliver said.

“There’s the reality that this year it’s school holidays, people will be on holidays for longer lengths of period which could complicate things.

“You can sort of think I would normally go out to the cafe or the restaurant on Easter Saturday, but might think, oh I’m on holiday I’ll eat in this Easter and go out later when it’s a bit cheaper, say Tuesday, so you could have perverse effects like that.

For Aussies in the ACT, NSW, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria all four days from Good Friday through to Easter Monday are a public holiday.   :) 

Western Australians workers will get public holidays on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

Surcharges are likely to add $100m to customers bills.

Meanwhile Tasmanians will get Good Friday and Easter Monday and mostly for public service workers, Tuesday is also a public holiday.

Regional Australia boost

Separate research by NAB suggests regional towns could be the major winner out of the long weekend.

According to figures released by the big four bank, more than $750m is expected to be spent on regional tourism, including accommodation, hospitality and tourist attractions over the Easter period.

Out of this, $450m is expected to be to spent at regional service stations, while $200m is set to be spent on food and drinks at restaurants, bars and pubs.

The lift in costs comes as businesses try to recoup some of their expenses.

NAB retail customer executive Larna Manson said she expects regional towns to be the big winners over the long weekend, especially in the cafes, restaurant and accommodation spaces.

“With cost of living still at the forefront of many people’s minds, road trips across Australia are proving to be a more cost-effective way families can enjoy some time away and make new memories without the price tag of an overseas trip.”

Meanwhile Australians driving through regional towns are likely to add $18m to the economy, an uptick of 11 per cent compared to usual weekend trading. The research also predicts regional chocolate shops will get a $1.6m boost in last minute sales.

Won’t sway the RBA

To struggling homeowners relief, despite the potential lift in spending over the holiday periods, it is unlikely to sway the RBA into holding interest rates.

Dr Oliver said data is seasonally adjusted, meaning the holiday spending has been taken into effect.

“It’ll have no impact on the RBA’s thinking regarding interest rates because it just gets adjusted for even if there is

If you can't afford to pay the surcharge which pays the staff on penalty rates, stay the F home.

Here's a confession. Apart from when I'm on holidays, I have never bought breakfast at a cafe...ever. 

Gordon wrote on Apr 18^th, 2025 at 1:24pm:

If you can't afford to pay the surcharge which pays the staff on penalty rates, stay the F home. Here's a confession. Apart from when I'm on holidays, I have never bought breakfast at a cafe...ever.

Spot on.

I don't mind paying the surcharge as long as the staff are paid the correct penalty rates.

Unfortunately, this rarely happens.

Why do I have to pay GST on the surcharge is my question?

Labor positions as protector of penalty rates   :)

Apr 19, 2025
New Daily


As the election campaign hits a brief pause for Easter, Labor has positioned itself as the protector of penalty rates for those working during the holiday period.

The government on Saturday announced it would enshrine penalty rates in law if re-elected.    [smiley=thumbsup.gif]


That would prevent business groups, such as the Australian Retailers Association, from applying to the Fair Work Commission to cut the provisions from award agreements.


Industrial relations issues have worked in Labor’s favour during the campaign, with polling showing Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s short-lived pledge to force public servants back into the office fared poorly with voters.

With cost-of-living concerns at the forefront of the campaign, more polling has shown how parties treat penalty rates could be a factor in how people vote.

The Essential Research polling, commissioned by Australian Unions, found 70 per cent of respondents said protecting penalty rates for workers would be an issue voters take into consideration at the ballot box.

The poll also said 44 per cent of people were more likely to vote for a party that had policies in place to protect penalty rates, compared with 10 per cent being less likely to support such a party.

Retail worker Pauline Lethborg said the extra money from penalty rates went a long way.

“If we lose penalty rates, it doesn’t just affect the older workers, it’s the younger ones as well. That bonus money goes to pay rent and food,” she said.


“The cost of living these days is very hard, right across the board.

“It’s not like we’re being paid $100 an hour, a lot of retail workers are on $20 to $25 an hour … penalty rates is what gives them their supplement income.”

The Australian Retail Association earlier in 2025 submitted a proposal for some staff at large companies to opt out of penalty rates in exchange for a 25 per cent raise.

Employer lobby Australian Industry Group has backed a similar push for the clerks and banking awards, arguing the rise in working from home has made it impractical for employees to log their hours and compounds the regulatory burden on employers.

Labor had filed a submission to the Fair Work Commission opposing the changes, while also calling for the coalition to provide clarity on its penalty rate stance.

Around three million workers would be affected if Labor succeeds in legislating to protect penalty rates.

Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt said employees deserved to be rewarded for giving up family time to work on weekends.

“We will always stand with workers to protect their wages so that we can help them deal with the pressures of today and get ahead in the future,” he said.

Opposition employment spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said in February penalty rates would not be cut under a future coalition government, dismissing Labor attacks as a scare campaign.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton spent Good Friday in Sydney, amid a lull in campaigning for the Easter period.

Daves2017 wrote on Apr 20^th, 2025 at 10:32am:

Why do I have to pay GST on the surcharge is my question?

Why wouldn't you?   :-/

Abolish the weekend, still give everyone two unpaid days off [staggered by towns/industries/regions] but let them accumulate as annual leave if desired.
Abolish all public holidays especially Easter and Christmas as they are religious based and we pride ourselves on being a secular nation.

Make all religions pay tax on their investment’s and business!

Daves2017 wrote on Apr 20^th, 2025 at 11:47am:

Make all religions pay tax on their investment’s and business!

Like Ken?


Didaché - I Have Never Been This Indignant At Kenneth Copeland


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpgYkQmeYUk


In this episode of Didaché, Justin Peters critiques Kenneth Copeland’s recent remarks at the Southwest Believers Convention, highlighting his focus on luxurious possessions like Breitling watches and Bentleys. Peters condemns Copeland’s exploitation of the sick and vulnerable for financial gain, exposing the false promises of healing through monetary seed sowing. He passionately calls for repentance and adherence to true biblical teachings, warning of the spiritual danger of following such false prophets.

Daves2017 wrote on Apr 20^th, 2025 at 11:47am:

Make all religions pay tax on their investment’s and business!

And stop charities, church schools and hospitals, let the taxpayers foot all social bills.
It’s time that those that bludgeon on the good will of others pay their fair share.

whiteknight wrote on Apr 20^th, 2025 at 10:37am:

Labor positions as protector of penalty rates   :) Apr 19, 2025 New Daily As the election campaign hits a brief pause for Easter, Labor has positioned itself as the protector of penalty rates for those working during the holiday period. The government on Saturday announced it would enshrine penalty rates in law if re-elected.    [smiley=thumbsup.gif] That would prevent business groups, such as the Australian Retailers Association, from applying to the Fair Work Commission to cut the provisions from award agreements. Industrial relations issues have worked in Labor’s favour during the campaign, with polling showing Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s short-lived pledge to force public servants back into the office fared poorly with voters. With cost-of-living concerns at the forefront of the campaign, more polling has shown how parties treat penalty rates could be a factor in how people vote. The Essential Research polling, commissioned by Australian Unions, found 70 per cent of respondents said protecting penalty rates for workers would be an issue voters take into consideration at the ballot box. The poll also said 44 per cent of people were more likely to vote for a party that had policies in place to protect penalty rates, compared with 10 per cent being less likely to support such a party. Retail worker Pauline Lethborg said the extra money from penalty rates went a long way. “If we lose penalty rates, it doesn’t just affect the older workers, it’s the younger ones as well. That bonus money goes to pay rent and food,” she said. “The cost of living these days is very hard, right across the board. “It’s not like we’re being paid $100 an hour, a lot of retail workers are on $20 to $25 an hour … penalty rates is what gives them their supplement income.” The Australian Retail Association earlier in 2025 submitted a proposal for some staff at large companies to opt out of penalty rates in exchange for a 25 per cent raise. Employer lobby Australian Industry Group has backed a similar push for the clerks and banking awards, arguing the rise in working from home has made it impractical for employees to log their hours and compounds the regulatory burden on employers. Labor had filed a submission to the Fair Work Commission opposing the changes, while also calling for the coalition to provide clarity on its penalty rate stance. Around three million workers would be affected if Labor succeeds in legislating to protect penalty rates. Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt said employees deserved to be rewarded for giving up family time to work on weekends. “We will always stand with workers to protect their wages so that we can help them deal with the pressures of today and get ahead in the future,” he said. Opposition employment spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said in February penalty rates would not be cut under a future coalition government, dismissing Labor attacks as a scare campaign. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton spent Good Friday in Sydney, amid a lull in campaigning for the Easter period.

Over the 46 years I was in the workforce and a Unionist & Labor voter it was Unions & Labor that were just as bad as the Libs in finding a way to minimise our conditions and penalty rates. When enterprise bargaining came in & thus workplace agreements it was all about trade offs - this for that - but in the end it was all about getting you to work your days off, overtime etc for lower rates.

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Apr 20^th, 2025 at 11:39am:

Abolish the weekend, still give everyone two unpaid days off [staggered by towns/industries/regions] but let them accumulate as annual leave if desired. Abolish all public holidays especially Easter and Christmas as they are religious based and we pride ourselves on being a secular nation.

Even though I'm retired that's a terrible suggestion.

Going backwards for mine & sounding like how the Yanks operate.

But maybe more like your 2nd home India.

I know there's enough of them over here now - but no thank you very much.

whiteknight wrote on Apr 18^th, 2025 at 10:23am:

Tax on dining out’: Surcharge spikes set to hit Aussies back pocket Collectively Aussies will spend millions of dollars in additional costs as the price of visiting cafes, pubs and restaurants is set to soar over the long weekend.   :(

Hilarious  ;D

The same people who called for higher and higher wages on weekends and holidays are now crying because they have to pay a surcharge  ;D