Gift cards have become an increasingly popular gift choice in Australia over the past decade. With major retailers like Coles, Woolworths, Big W, Target, Kmart and more offering gift cards, there are plenty of options for gift card shoppers. Gift cards provide recipients with the flexibility to choose their own purchase, rather than the giver choosing a specific gift item. They also allow shoppers to spread out their gift card balance over multiple shopping trips or purchases. For gift givers, gift cards can save time compared to picking out individual gifts. They also ensure the recipient can get something they want or need. With many types of gift cards available across different retail categories, finding the right gift card in Australia simply requires matching the right card to the recipient’s interests and favorite stores.
Major Retail Gift Cards in Australia
Some of the most popular retail gift cards available in Australia include:
- Coles Group & Coles Express Gift Cards – Can be used at Coles supermarkets, Liquorland, Vintage Cellars, 1st Choice Liquor, and Coles Express.
- Woolworths Gift Cards – Redeemable at Woolworths supermarkets, Big W, and BWS.
- Myer Gift Cards – For purchases at Myer department stores.
- David Jones Gift Cards – For David Jones department stores.
- Target Gift Cards – Can be used at Target stores across Australia.
- Kmart Gift Cards – Valid at Kmart stores nationwide.
- JB Hi-Fi Gift Cards – For electronics, music, movies, games, toys, and more.
- Super Retail Group Gift Cards – Includes Supercheap Auto, Rebel, BCF, and Macpac.
- The Iconic Gift Cards – Can be used for online fashion and sportswear purchases.
- Booktopia Gift Cards – For buying books, ebooks, audiobooks, stationery, and more.
These major Australian retailers offer gift cards that can be purchased online or in-store. They provide a great deal of flexibility and variety for gift card shoppers. Coles Group gift cards in particular are versatile since they can be used across several different grocery, liquor, fuel and convenience store brands under their umbrella. Woolworths gift cards also allow recipients to purchase groceries, homegoods and more at Big W in addition to Woolworths supermarkets.
Entertainment & Leisure Gift Cards
Gift cards for entertainment, leisure and experience-based retailers are also very popular gift card choices in Australia. Some top options include:
- Event Cinemas Gift Cards – For movie tickets and concessions.
- Hoyts Gift Cards – Can be used for cinema tickets, snacks and more.
- ABC Centres Gift Cards – For books, gifts, stationery, craft supplies and more.
- Dymocks Gift Cards – For book and gift purchases at Dymocks stores.
- JB Hi-Fi Gift Cards – Valid for games, CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, electronics, and pop culture collectibles.
- Rebel Gift Cards – Can be used to shop sports equipment and apparel.
- Adrenaline Gift Cards – For adrenaline-pumping experiences like indoor skydiving, go-karting, and more.
- RedBalloon Gift Cards – Offers gifts and experiences like hot air ballooning, wine tours, spa packages and more.
Being able to provide memorable experiences or leisure activities is part of the appeal of these kinds of gift cards for the recipient. For the gift giver, it saves the effort of choosing a specific outing or activity that the recipient may not enjoy. Gift cards for books, movies, music, games and sporting goods are great for entertainment lovers. Activity-focused gift cards from experience providers give recipients the chance to do something adventurous or relaxing.
Specialty & Dining Gift Cards
Specialty retail and dining gift cards are also very popular in Australia. Some top options include:
- Apple Gift Cards – Can be used for purchases on the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music, iCloud, Apple TV and more.
- Caltex Gift Cards – For fuel, food, and convenience store purchases at Caltex service stations across Australia.
- Bunnings Gift Cards – Valid for purchases at Bunnings Warehouse hardware stores.
- Officeworks Gift Cards – For office supplies, technology, furniture, printing, and more.
- The Good Guys Gift Cards – Can be used to buy appliances, electronics and home technology.
- Super Retail Group Gift Cards – Includes Rebels, Supercheap Auto, BCF and Macpac stores.
- Catch Gift Cards – For online shopping at Catch.com.au.
- Menulog Gift Cards – Can be used for food deliveries from restaurants via Menulog.
- DoorDash Gift Cards – For food delivery via DoorDash Australia.
- Uber Eats Gift Cards – For meal delivery services through the Uber Eats app.
Specialty retail gift cards allow recipients to make purchases at their favorite stores. Fuel, hardware, electronics, sports, and online shopping gift cards provide convenience and flexibility. Menulog, DoorDash and Uber Eats gift cards cater perfectly to food lovers who enjoy ordering delivery or takeout. These types of dining and food delivery gift cards have grown in popularity along with the rise of food delivery services in Australia.
Visa & Mastercard Gift Cards
Open-loop Visa and Mastercard gift cards are also widely available at many major retailers. These prepaid cards can be used for purchases anywhere that accepts regular Visa or Mastercard payments. Open-loop gift cards offer maximum flexibility since the cards are not tied to any specific merchant. Some top options for open-loop gift cards in Australia include:
- Woolworths Visa Gift Card – Can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, online or in-store.
- Australia Post Visa Prepaid Gift Card – An open-loop Visa card that can be used at millions of locations worldwide.
- Coles Prepaid Visa Gift Card – Allows purchases anywhere Visa is taken as payment.
- Myer Visa Gift Card – Open-loop prepaid card with no fees.
- David Jones American Express Gift Card – Can be used wherever American Express cards are accepted.
- Big W Prepaid Mastercard Gift Card – For use anywhere Mastercard is taken.
- Target Mastercard Gift Card – Valid for purchases anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
Visa and Mastercard prepaid gift cards provide the advantage of usability anywhere the brand is accepted. This gives recipients maximum options in where and how they can redeem their gift card balance. The cards can be used to shop in-store, online, over the phone, and even for bills or services. For givers, these open-loop cards remove the limitation of choosing a specific store brand. The gift card balance can be spent at the recipient’s retailer of choice.
Gift Card Retailers & Third-Party Sellers
In addition to gift cards sold directly by retailers, there are also many third-party gift card sellers in Australia. These include:
- Australia Post – Sells gift and prepaid Visa cards alongside regular post services.
- CardWorks – Specializes in gift cards from brands like Coles, Rebel, Adairs, and more.
- Gift Card Express – Large range of retail, dining, and experience gift cards.
- MyGiftCards.com.au – Sells many types of open-loop and retail gift cards online.
- Woolworths Gifts – Provides gift cards for many different retailers online.
Websites like these offer shoppers a wide selection of gift cards from many merchants in one place. Rather than visiting multiple retailer websites, all the cards can be browsed in a single location. These dedicated gift card sellers also sometimes offer customization options, packaging, and gift card rack displays for shoppers. For buyers seeking variety and convenience, they provide a useful marketplace for finding gift cards.
Popular Gift Card Occasions
Gift cards are purchased for many different occasions and events throughout the year. Some of the most popular gifting occasions that see high gift card usage include:
- Birthdays – Letting the recipient choose their own gift is perfect for birthdays.
- Christmas – Quick and simple gifts that anyone can use.
- Valentine’s Day – Romantic dining or experience gift cards for couples.
- Mother’s Day – Shows mom you care by letting her pick something she’ll enjoy.
- Father’s Day – Gives dad the flexibility to get something he wants or needs.
- Easter – Specialty Easter gift cards for chocolates, cooking, etc.
- Anniversaries – Milestone events are great for experience-based gift cards.
- Weddings – Gift cards are popular registry items for brides and grooms.
- Graduations – Cards for bookstores, electronics, and dorm room supplies make great grad gifts.
- Baby showers – Cards for baby stores, photography, restaurants, and more are perfect for new parents.
Since they work for any occasion and any recipient, gift cards have become ubiquitous gifts for all the major holidays and life events when gifts are given. Even non-gift-giving occasions like “just because” or “thinking of you” moments are perfect times to brighten someone’s day with a gift card. Their flexibility makes gift cards a go-to gift idea year-round.
Where to Buy Gift Cards
Gift cards can be purchased in lots of convenient places across Australia. Some of the most popular places to buy gift cards include:
- At the retailer’s physical stores – Buy right at the checkout.
- Retailer websites – Many offer online gift card purchases and email delivery.
- Supermarkets – Coles, Woolworths and independent grocers sell a variety of gift cards.
- Newsagents – Many stock entertainment, dining, and retail gift card options.
- Australia Post offices – Convenient locations with racks of gift cards.
- Online marketplaces – Such as eBay, Amazon, and Catch.com.au.
- Dedicated gift card websites – Offer wide selections from many brands.
- Fuel station convenience stores – Places like Caltex, BP, and 7-Eleven sell cards.
Shoppers can purchase gift cards at retailer locations for convenience or to combine with other shopping. Online purchasing through retailer e-commerce sites also makes buying cards easy. For the widest selection, supermarkets, newsagents, post offices, and dedicated gift card sites have racks or spinning displays with tons of options. The ubiquity of gift cards in so many retail channels highlights their popularity and convenience as a gift choice.
Checking Gift Card Balances
There are a few ways recipients can check their gift card balance as they use their card for purchases:
- Ask store cashiers to check the balance at checkout.
- Call the toll-free customer service number listed on the back of the card.
- Check online if the merchant offers balance lookups on their website.
- Log in to a mobile app if the retailer provides one with a balance tracker.
- Inquire at customer service desks in-store.
Knowing the remaining balance helps recipients budget for future purchases with the card. Retailers and card providers want to make it easy, so balance inquires are available through cashiers, service reps over the phone, and online or mobile apps.
The Popularity of Gift Cards in Australia
Gift cards have become a major gifting tradition in Australia based on consumer sales statistics:
- More than $2.7 billion was spent on gift cards in Australia during 2020.
- Over 22 million gift cards were sold across major Australian retailers in 2020.
- 56% of Australians purchased at least one gift card over the 2020 holiday period.
- The average amount loaded onto gift cards in Australia is between $30-$50.
- 62% of millennials prefer to receive gift cards over other present types.
- 73% of gift card recipients spent more than their card’s value when redeeming it.
- 85% of Aussies say gift cards are easier and less stressful to buy than regular gifts.
This data demonstrates the widespread popularity of gift cards among Australian consumers. Their convenience as hassle-free gifts, paired with the flexibility recipients enjoy, has made gift cards a leading choice for gift givers during the holidays and year-round. Retailers have responded with a vast selection of gift card options across almost every product and service category imaginable.
The Future of Gift Cards in Australia
The future looks bright for gift cards in Australia. Continued growth is expected with projections showing the market reaching $3 billion annually by 2025. Digital gift cards are on the rise as more retailers offer online purchasing and email delivery. Mobile payment integration through digital wallets could also be the next evolution for gift cards. With tons of variety already available, consumers will likely see even more gift card options, customizations, designs, and tech innovations in the coming years. Ultimately, the flexibility and ease gift cards offer shoppers will ensure they remain a staple gifting tradition for Australians into the future.
Conclusion
Gift cards have become deeply ingrained in Australian culture as the go-to gifting solution for holidays, birthdays, weddings, graduations, anniversaries, and every occasion in between. Major retailers offer cards tailored to nearly any interest, while Visa and Mastercard options allow unmatched flexibility in where to spend. Shoppers can easily purchase gift cards in stores, online, at the post office, newsagents, fuel stations, and a growing assortment of other places. Gift recipients appreciate being able to choose their own purchases with their gifted card balance. Australians spent over $2.7 billion on gift cards in 2020, demonstrating their immense popularity for both givers and receivers. With the selection and availability of gift cards only expected to grow, they will continue to be a top gifting tradition in Australia for years to come.