Christmas Gifts for Colleagues and Staff in Australia
Short answerFor colleagues in Australia, stick to consumables and useful desk items: specialty coffee (A$20–30), a T2 tea set (A$25–30), good chocolate (A$15–30) or a small tech accessory (A$25–40). For a manager gifting their team, a shared hamper or an individual A$30–A$50 voucher per person works best.
Our top picks
Editor's pickMarket Lane Coffee beans
Around A$22–A$26from Market Lane Coffee
250g of fresh specialty beans from the Melbourne roaster.
Coffee is the office's shared language. Good beans feel like a treat and get used within weeks.
T2 tea gift set
Around A$25–A$30from T2
A boxed selection of loose-leaf teas.
The safe pick for non-coffee drinkers, and it looks good wrapped.
Anker USB-C charger
Around A$25–A$39from JB Hi-Fi
A compact fast charger for phones and laptops.
Everyone needs a spare charger at their desk. Unexciting to look at, used every single day.
| Gift | Price | Retailer |
|---|---|---|
| Market Lane Coffee beans | Around A$22–A$26 | Market Lane Coffee |
| T2 tea gift set | Around A$25–A$30 | T2 |
| Anker USB-C charger | Around A$25–A$39 | JB Hi-Fi |
| Shared Christmas hamper | Around A$90–A$200 | The Hamper Emporium |
| Individual digital gift cards | A$30–A$50 each | David Jones |
Work Christmas gifts are a small social test. Spend too much and it's awkward; spend too little or go too personal and it's worse. The safest approach is the same whether you're buying for a desk neighbour, your whole team, or staff you manage: pick something good-quality that everyone uses, and keep it the same for everyone in the group. If you manage people, give down, not up — gifts to your team are normal, while gifts to your own boss are best done as a group. And if your team is remote, pick things that post easily or arrive by email.
How we chose these
We applied the office test: fine to open in front of everyone, fine for any colleague regardless of age or background, and easy to buy in multiples. Alcohol is left out because not every workplace or person drinks.
For one colleague
Editor's pickMarket Lane Coffee beans
Around A$22–A$26from Market Lane Coffee
250g of fresh specialty beans from the Melbourne roaster.
Coffee is the office's shared language. Good beans feel like a treat and get used within weeks.
T2 tea gift set
Around A$25–A$30from T2
A boxed selection of loose-leaf teas.
The safe pick for non-coffee drinkers, and it looks good wrapped.
Anker USB-C charger
Around A$25–A$39from JB Hi-Fi
A compact fast charger for phones and laptops.
Everyone needs a spare charger at their desk. Unexciting to look at, used every single day.
For your whole team
Best valueShared Christmas hamper
Around A$90–A$200from The Hamper Emporium
A gourmet hamper for the office kitchen with snacks and treats.
One delivery covers everyone and makes the last week of the year feel like an event. Easy to order and invoice.
Last-minuteIndividual digital gift cards
A$30–A$50 eachfrom David Jones
An A$30–A$50 Myer or David Jones card per person, sent by email.
Works for remote and hybrid teams, and lets each person pick for themselves. Keep the amount the same for everyone.
Frequently asked
How much should I spend on a Christmas gift for a coworker?+
A$20–A$30 is standard in Australia. If your team runs a Secret Santa, stick to the agreed cap instead of buying separately.
Should managers buy Christmas gifts for their staff?+
It's common and appreciated. Give everyone the same thing, usually A$30–A$50 each, or one shared hamper. Buying for your own boss is best done as a group.
Are gift cards taxable for employees in Australia?+
Small, irregular gifts under A$300 per employee are generally exempt from fringe benefits tax under the minor benefits rule. Check with your accountant for your situation.
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