How to get Coupons and Discounts in Australia

While we might not have exactly the same coupon options like the ones we see on extreme coupon shows or hear about in the USA, Australia does have ways to get coupons and discounts.

Disclosure: We use affiliate links for products and services we personally use.

How to Coupon Stack and Save More

Below are loads of ways to get coupons and discounts. Coupon or discount stacking is where you can use multiple discounts in one shop.

Anywhere you shop, sign up for their loyalty program so you can accrue points and discounts for the future*.

When you go shopping, check cash back apps such as Cash Rewards and Shopback to see if you can get cash back or further discounts.

Shop clearance sections in the sales as well and you will suddenly be paying a whole lot less.

One example is Big W. You can get 5% off gift cards in The Entertainment App. When Big W has sales, clothes can be reduced to $2, season items such as decorations reduced to 50c and other huge discounts.

Do click and collect online and use Shopback to get a further discount plus your Everyday Rewards card to collect points.

If you use Woolworths Insurance or have Everyday Extra you can get 10% off the total too.

*Check the terms and conditions as not all allow points to be accrued with gift cards or clearance items.

When you add it all up, it looks like this:

5% off with The Entertainment App + up to 2.25% off with Shopback + 10% off with Woolworths discounts = up to 17.25% extra off even on clearance items AND you collect points for your next shop.

1. CashBack Sites and Apps

Cashback sites can get you money back with online shopping. From food to clothes or accommodation, everything is covered. They all work similarly, are free to join and can save you heaps.

You can download the apps to your phone and add them to your Chrome toolbar at the top. Each site offers instructions on how to do that.

This way, no matter where you shop online, you can be sure you are getting a discount if there is one available.

Check out our preferred cashback sites.

Shopback

With regular bonus cashback offers and sales, Shopback is one of the most popular cashback sites and apps. Join Shopback for free and start saving money.

Cashrewards

I have gotten a lot back from Cash Rewards. Join Cashrewards for free and add it to your Chrome bar then download the app.

Then whenever you shop, you will be notified of cashback offers available for that site.

Honey

Slightly different to the others, Honey also scans for coupons and discounts you can use.

It will filter through all the ones available online to get you the best discount.

Compare the offers from Honey, Cashrewards and Shopback yourself though as they can vary. Join Honey here.

2. Special Deal Sites and Apps

Australia has a number of sites dedicated to providing discounts and coupons you can print or use online.

Do your research though as these sites are not always the cheapest option.

Businesses place special offers on sites such as Groupon, Catch and similar. In my experience, their deal of the day was usually the best offer but some of the other offers weren’t always cheaper.

We have a list of sign up bonuses and freebies from companies here as well as a list of Australian birthday freebies here.

These bonuses can range from a $10 gift card to a free meal or even $100 off.

When making any purchase, check to see if they have a rewards program, loyalty club or newsletter with bonuses.

Most sites will have a pop up offering a discount if you subscribe.

For example, Woolworths now has Everyday Rewards and Everyday Extra. With Extra it has a fee but you get 10% off once a month in store plus extra boosted points and a free item every month.

Coles has Flybuys with boosted offers and free items too. Always check the apps for both shops.

Keep a separate email for special offers like this so they don’t clog your regular email.

Using a separate email also means you won’t be tempted later when they send other special offers or new products.

Cash Bonuses

To get you started, here are a few sign up bonuses you might want. As mentioned above, ING offers $100 to new customers.

Ubank offers $10 when you sign up with the code S7VL6WF and have used your card 3 times.

Up Bank offers $8 as soon as you join. Up is another fee-free, online only bank that is easy to use and has some cool features.

WeMoney is a budgeting app that can help you improve your financial situation. Get $5 when you sign up here.

Coinspot offers $10 worth of Bitcoin when you deposit $10. It is volatile but a great way to see how you feel about crypto.

Food Bonuses

Get your first box free with HelloFresh.

Also, get up to $144 off Dinnerly (49% off your first order, then 30% off the next two.) Marley Spoon offers up to $190 off 4 orders! That’s 53% off your first order, and 20% off your next three

Get up to $180 off EveryPlate, split across your first 5 boxes with the code THRIFTYEPLATE. This is for new AND returning customers.

YouFoodz is more health-focused and offers up to $200 off your order.

4. Online Surveys

Survey sites offer discounts and bonuses at times. There is a selection of Australian online survey sites here.

They are free to join and will usually email you when there are special offers, discounts or promotional days happening.

Here are my favourites:

Octopus Group: Pays $16.28hr

I’ve been doing surveys with Octopus Group for a few years. Octopus Group are the highest paying in Australia and there are lots of surveys available in my experience.

Read the full review of Octopus Group for more information.

Swagbucks: More Than Just Surveys

The first online survey site I ever tried over a decade ago has so many ways to earn Swagbucks.

Online surveys, daily polls, watching videos, shopping and activating the cashback option, using it as a Google search instead of Google.

The list of ways to earn is long.

PrizeRebel

Paying in USD, PrizeRebel converts well for Aussies. I don’t get as many surveys from them but it stills does well.

5. Discount Tips

We shared how to get a discount on everything in this post including tips such as not checking out.

Place whatever you want to buy in the cart of the store you are shopping with online.

Check out only as far as putting in and saving your email, then leave before finalising the purchase.

Many stores will automatically email you a discount within 24 to 48 hours to get you to complete the sale.

6. Receipts

Many stores have coupons on the back or at the bottom of receipts.

Pizza, dry cleaning, carpet cleaning and accommodation seem to be the most common options on my receipts.

Be sure to check the expiry date as sometimes they are quite short.

ReceiptJar will pay you for your receipts too. Scan your receipts, collect points then cash them out for gift cards. Sign up with the code KYLIT3Q2H to get a 200-point sign-up bonus with your first receipt.

7. Newspapers

Check your local paper for ads and in their classified section. I used it a lot when I lived in NSW.

My beautician often offered a huge discount in there and it wasn’t restricted to new clients only.

Newspapers are becoming less common but most places have a local newspaper or magazine for their area. Always check the offers in them.

8. Blogs/Influencers

Bloggers and social media influencers often have great discounts, coupon codes and special offers when they do reviews.

We don’t have a list of specific ones to follow, however, we share discounts codes, free offers, sales, specials etc that we come across on our Facebook page, along with some great giveaways in the coming months.

We also have a private Facebook Group with more.

9. Points or VIP Clubs

The frequent flyer and supermarket reward programs are generally first to spring to mind.

There are hundreds of ways to accrue points with your favourite stores or companies, redeem freebies and access loyalty discounts.

Check out our list of Australian loyalty programs with birthday freebies, vouchers for joining and other rewards.

10. Staff Discounts

If you or a family member/friend work at a store see if they have a staff discount. These can vary from a 5% discount through to 50% off and staff only sales.

Check the terms and conditions of the staff discount though as not all stores allow staff to share the discount with family and friends.

Also, don’t be demanding or expect a discount just because you are related. A discount is a privilege, not a right.

11. Referral Codes

Loads of referral or affiliate links come with perks for both parties. Referrals and affiliates are one of the ways we are able to pay for the expenses associated with this site.

Check all the products and services you use to see if they have this program for people who use them.

I’ve had this option for phone, electricity, meal delivery and more.

Often it is in the top or bottom menu of the site under affiliate/referral/refer a friend etc.

12. Google Search

Before buying anything do a quick search of whatever brand or item it is you are buying and “discount” or “coupon” or “voucher” or similar wording to find out if there are any current discount codes for what you want to buy.

Sometimes they are expired but if you are making large purchases, it is absolutely worth checking for discounts.

13. Ask For A Discount

Some people feel weird about asking for a discount, but it can result in huge savings.

I have asked for discounts with items on clearance or if clothes have a slight stain I am sure I can get out.

Two examples are a Portman’s shirt I got reduced to $18 because it had a pen mark and a shirt at David Jones which had a tiny drop of something on the shoulder but it was the only one in that colour left.

This does not always work (I asked at Sheike about a top, it was the last one left and it only had marks, but the bottom seam had come undone too. They still wanted to charge full price! No thanks!)

If you ask, be polite, state what you want or simply ask if they can offer a discount because of the pen mark here or whatever.

NEVER put marks on clothes to get a discount! Be completely honest.

If you are buying more than one item, ask for a discount or if it’s the last item, close to its use by date or there is any other reason they might reduce to sell it quickly, ask. The worst they can say is no.

Extra Tips

It’s one thing to get a discount but not if it interferes with other parts of your life. Here are a few extra tips to help you make the most of these discounts.

Use a Different Email Address

Signing up to email lists to get a discount or using specific sites usually results in a lot of emails.

Have a separate email address for your discounts and freebies.

This will ensure your inbox doesn’t get clogged up and also prevents you from getting tempted.

When their sales and special offers come in, you won’t get inundated unless you check this specific inbox.

Sign up When you Need it

Some of the offers only apply for a specific period after you’ve joined. Only join when you want to buy or are close to it so you don’t lose the discount.

Avoid Giving Too Much Information

If you have to give more than a name and email, it probably isn’t worth it.

Although, adding in a date of birth can result in birthday specific freebies too.

You’ll need to add other details when placing an order such as your address but overall, you don’t need to give a lot of information out.

Search Hashtags

On social, check hashtags such as freebie, discount, comp, giveaway etc for discounts and giveaways.

Numerous businesses share exclusive ones on their social channels you can’t access elsewhere.

How do you get discounts and coupons in Australia?

I cover everything from ideas to make money at home, how to set up a business for under $100, what you can claim on tax, my top frugal tips for every area of the budget, how to create a budget and stick to it, over 100 frugal recipes plus tips on balancing it all, finding the time and ways to entertain the kids in The Ultimate Guide to Make and Save Money at Home.