A long weekend usually means catching up with friends, heading out for brunch, or enjoying a pub meal. But this year, many Australians may think twice before ordering that extra coffee or dessert. The reason is simple: public holiday surcharges are quietly adding millions of dollars to dining bills across the country.
Public Holiday Surcharges Set To Hit Aussies Hard This Easter
Australians are expected to pay $129.7 million in public holiday surcharges over the Easter long weekend alone, according to new analysis from Money.com.au. These additional charges, commonly applied by cafes, pubs and restaurants on public holidays, can increase the price of a meal by up to 20 per cent.
Easter Saturday is expected to be the most expensive day for diners. With strong trading forecast across the country, Australians could collectively spend $49.2 million in surcharges on that single day. It highlights just how quickly these small extra charges can accumulate nationwide.
The spending won’t stop there. Anzac Day, which falls on a Saturday this year, is also expected to generate around $49.2 million in surcharges. Altogether, Australians are projected to pay $178.9 million in extra dining fees throughout April, showing how widespread the charges have become.
Rising Living Costs Make The Surcharges Harder To Swallow
Finance expert Sean Callery from Money.com.au said the extra fees are landing at a difficult time for many households already struggling with higher living costs. “It’s another cost burden at a time when households are already dealing with rising living expenses,” he explained.
The price of eating out has already been increasing due to rising wages, food prices, energy bills and fuel costs. When public holiday surcharges are added on top, the final bill can quickly become noticeably higher.
According to the research reported by Yahoo Finance, 64 per cent of Australians say they plan to avoid cafes and restaurants this Easter weekend because of the surcharge. Meanwhile, the remaining 36 per cent say they will still go out, despite the additional cost.
Why Restaurants Say The Fees Are Necessary
While customers might not enjoy the extra charge, many hospitality businesses argue the surcharge is essential to cover higher staffing costs. Employers must pay public holiday penalty rates to staff working those shifts. In some cases, wages can rise to 225–250 per cent of the normal pay rate, depending on whether employees are casual or part-time.
For small restaurants and cafés already operating on tight margins, these labour costs can make opening on a public holiday extremely expensive. Some venues are trying to attract customers by taking a different approach. A few businesses, including Perth’s Village Café and Burgers, have announced they will not charge a public holiday surcharge during the Easter weekend.
Even More Charges Could Be On The Horizon
Public holiday surcharges might not be the only extra cost diners face in the future. The Australian Restaurant and Café Association (ARCA) has suggested venues consider introducing a temporary fuel surcharge of up to 5 per cent to help cover rising supplier and transport costs.
ARCA CEO Wes Lambert says restaurants are being squeezed by multiple financial pressures at once. Large suppliers are passing on higher costs, while businesses must also prepare for upcoming changes such as the ban on card surcharges and potential wage increases.
Businesses are free to set their own prices, including applying public holiday or fuel surcharges. However, the ACCC requires that any surcharge must be clearly displayed so customers are aware before ordering. For diners heading out this long weekend, it might be wise to glance at the menu—or the sign on the door—before sitting down.
