This site contains lottery information intended for adults only.
Got questions about Australian lotteries? We've answered the most common ones below.
All major Australian lottery draws take place at 8:30pm AEST (9:30pm AEDT during daylight saving). This applies to Oz Lotto (Tuesday), Powerball (Thursday), Saturday Lotto, Monday Lotto, Wednesday Lotto and Set for Life (daily). Entries typically close at 7:25pm AEST on draw day.
Yes. You can buy entries online through The Lott's official website and app. You'll need to create an account, verify your identity and be physically located in Australia. Some third-party authorised resellers also operate online. Buying online has the added benefit of automatic result checking — you won't miss a win because you lost a ticket.
No. Lottery prizes in Australia are not subject to income tax. This is a long-standing position of the Australian Taxation Office — gambling winnings are treated as a windfall, not income. However, any interest or investment returns you earn on the prize money after receiving it are taxable. If you win big, getting proper financial advice is strongly recommended.
It depends on the amount and how you purchased your ticket:
If you purchased online, prizes are generally credited to your account automatically for smaller amounts. Larger wins will involve direct contact from the operator.
The record is $200 million, won in the Powerball draw on 28 January 2019 by a single entry. Before the Powerball format change in 2018, the largest prize was $112 million (Oz Lotto, 2012). Several $150 million Powerball prizes have also been won since the format change. Saturday Lotto's biggest single-winner prize is around $40 million.
Australian lottery draws use certified random number generators (RNGs) operated under strict regulatory oversight. In the past, physical ball machines were used — and they still appear in some televised draws — but the official results come from the RNG system. The draws are witnessed by independent auditors and the process is regulated by state and territory gambling authorities.
When Division 1 isn't won, the prize pool "jackpots" — meaning it rolls over and is added to the next draw's prize pool. This is why you see jackpots climb to $20 million, $50 million or even $150 million in games like Powerball. Some games have rules about the maximum number of jackpot rollovers before the prize must be distributed to lower divisions.
Prize claim periods vary by state but are generally 6 years from the date of the draw. After that window closes, unclaimed prizes are typically directed to state government revenue or community programs. Millions of dollars in prizes go unclaimed each year in Australia — don't let your ticket be one of them. Check results promptly.
Yes. You must be at least 18 years old to purchase a lottery ticket in Australia. This rule is consistent across all states and territories and applies to both in-store and online purchases. Retailers are required to verify age, and online platforms use identity checks during account registration.
Yes, in most cases. Australian lottery operators generally allow winners to stay anonymous. Your name won't be published without your consent. Some winners choose to go public — occasionally at the urging of the operator, who likes a good news story — but there's no legal obligation to do so. If you win big and want privacy, you're entitled to it.