Kyle Sandilands reignites tipping debate in Australia

Australians tip three to five per cent of their bill but radio broadcaster Kyle Sandilands thinks that’s not enough. Take our poll.

One of Sydney’s wealthiest media identities believes Australia should follow our American counterparts into tipping.

Kyle Sandilands is also making a buck himself as he backs start-up app TapJar, encouraging Aussies to give a little extra for good service.

“You tip like a champion if you are being super served or if the waiter is hot, male or female, or if they are entertaining or have a little pizzazz,” the KIIS FM breakfast host told The Daily Telegraph.

“If you are just a gronk with a nose ring and you are throwing down plates of food, you get nothing, zero tip. Or a $1 tip, let your feelings be heard with that $1.”

Kyle Sandilands has a new business venture — a tipping app called TapJar. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

TapJar was started by Sydney couple Fiona and Mick Briggs.

She is a teacher and he works for the Australian Defence Force and came up with the idea during Covid.

Sandilands is a major investor after injecting his own cash into the business.

“I don’t believe if someone opens a door or this or that, if someone sprays perfume on you at Myer, no tip,” Sandilands continued.

“But if someone has gone above and beyond or given you that extra bit of smiley service, I feel you can reward them monetarily, which is the only way we all like to be rewarded.”

Kyle Sandilands in Potts Point. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Before the global pandemic, Sandilands would split his time between Los Angeles and Australia. In the US, where the basic wage is much lower than in Australia, it is customary to add a 20 per cent tip on to a bill.

Sandilands believes in an ever increasing cashless society, the new app will take off.

“I wouldn’t get involved just for a monetary reason,” he said.

“I like the underdog, I like to help people get a leg up. Anything that can help bring us back to normal and put some money in hard working people’s pockets that have been missing out, I am all for that.”

Restaurant & Catering Industry Association Chief Executive Wes Lambert said that while tipping was less common in Australia, the average tip here was between three and five per cent of a bill which accounts for roughly $2.5 billion in gratuities annually.

“It is not a small amount of pocket change, even at three to five per cent,” Mr Lambert said. “Tipping for good service is always a good thing and is certainly seen as an indication from a customer of service that is above and beyond. Certainly while not expected, most eftpos machines have a tip screen, which means that the banks have accounted for a tipping culture, whether it happens or not. And certainly every coffee shop, there is often a tip jar near the register.”