Raffle fundraiser guide
Raffles are one of the most popular fundraising tools for Australian community organisations – schools, sports clubs, RSLs, scout groups, charities, and more use them every year to raise money and engage their communities. Done well, a raffle is low-cost to run, easy to promote, and genuinely fun for participants.
This guide covers everything you need to know: the legal requirements in each state and territory, how to plan and run your raffle, and how to sell tickets both online and in person.
Do I need a permit to run a raffle in Australia?
Raffles are a form of gambling under Australian law, which means they’re regulated – and the rules differ significantly between states and territories. Only eligible organisations (charities, not-for-profits, incorporated associations, and community groups) can legally run raffles. For-profit businesses cannot run raffles unless authorised under a charity’s licence.
Here’s what applies in each jurisdiction. These are general thresholds – always check with the relevant authority before you start.
New South Wales
No permit is required for raffles conducted by eligible community organisations where the total prize value is $30,000 or under. If your total prize value exceeds $30,000, the raffle is classified as an “Art Union” and requires an authority from Service NSW. All raffles must comply with the Community Gaming Regulation 2020 regardless of prize value – tickets must be individually numbered, winners notified promptly, and proceeds used for charitable purposes.
Victoria
Eligible community and charitable organisations can run raffles without a permit if the total prize value is $20,000 or under. Above that threshold, you’ll need a minor gaming permit from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC). Note that debit cards cannot be offered as prizes in Victoria, and prizes must be delivered to winners within 28 days of the draw.
Queensland
Queensland uses a tiered system based on gross proceeds (total ticket sales):
- Category 1 – gross proceeds up to $2,000: no licence required for eligible non-profit associations
- Category 2 – gross proceeds between $2,000 and $50,000: a gaming licence is required
- Category 3 – gross proceeds over $50,000: a category 3 gaming licence is required
Eligible associations may be able to conduct raffles up to $50,000 without a licence – check with the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation.
South Australia
A permit is required if gross proceeds exceed $50,000. For smaller raffles below this threshold, eligible organisations can proceed without a permit, but must still comply with the relevant regulations under the Lottery and Gaming Act. Confirm current requirements with Consumer and Business Services SA.
Western Australia
Raffles in WA are governed by the Gaming and Wagering Commission. A permit is required for most charitable gaming activities, with different categories based on prize value and ticket sales. Contact the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries for current thresholds and permit requirements.
Tasmania
Raffles in Tasmania are regulated under the Gaming Control Act 1993. Eligible organisations may conduct raffles without a specific permit in some circumstances, but the activity must meet the definition of a “trade promotion” or relevant gaming category under the Act. Check with the Tasmanian Gaming Commission for your specific situation.
Australian Capital Territory
Any raffle run by an eligible organisation where the total prize value exceeds $2,500 requires a permit from Access Canberra. This is one of the lower thresholds in Australia, so most meaningful raffles in the ACT will need a permit.
Northern Territory
A permit is required for raffles with a prize pool of $5,000 or more. If the organising body already holds a permit issued by another Australian jurisdiction, that permit may be recognised in the NT. Check with Licensing NT before proceeding.
How do I plan and set up a raffle fundraiser?
Once you’ve confirmed your permit obligations, the practical planning is straightforward.
Choose prizes that motivate ticket sales
A raffle lives or dies on its prizes. The first prize should be genuinely desirable – vouchers for local businesses, experiences (restaurant dinners, spa days, event tickets), electronics, or sporting goods all work well. Ask local businesses to donate prizes in exchange for a mention on your event page and promotional materials; many are happy to support community organisations.
Keep prize values in line with your ticket price. If tickets are $5 each, your first prize should be worth at least $100–$200 to feel worthwhile.
Set your ticket price and sales target
Work backwards from your fundraising goal. If you need to raise $2,000 and your prizes and costs total $500, you need to generate $2,500 in ticket sales. At $5 per ticket, that’s 500 tickets. Is 500 tickets realistic for your organisation’s reach? If not, adjust your ticket price or scale your prizes.
Common approaches:
- Single tickets at a fixed price (e.g., $5 per ticket)
- Bundle pricing to encourage bulk purchases (e.g., 5 tickets for $20)
- Separate ticket books for committee members or volunteers to sell within their networks
Set a clear draw date
Give yourself enough lead time to sell tickets without momentum dropping off. Four to six weeks is a practical window for most community raffles. Announce the draw date prominently on all promotional material and stick to it.
Keep your records tidy
Regardless of whether your raffle requires a permit, you’ll need to keep accurate records of ticket sales, draw outcomes, and prize distributions. If you do hold a permit, conditions around record-keeping and reporting will be specified in the permit. Good records also make it easy to wind up the raffle cleanly and confirm winners promptly.
How do I sell raffle tickets online?
Online raffle sales dramatically expand your potential audience beyond your existing membership or community. Rather than relying solely on committee members selling door-to-door, you can promote a link and let supporters buy tickets from anywhere.
When selling raffle tickets online, each ticket must be individually numbered and issued at the time of purchase. Your event page should clearly state:
- The draw date and location
- All prizes and their values
- How winners will be notified
- The organisation running the raffle and how proceeds will be used
TryBooking’s online giving features let you set up a fundraising page where supporters can purchase raffle tickets directly. You can create separate ticket types for different bundle sizes, add a description of the prizes, and use the reporting tools to track sales in real time as your draw date approaches.
How do I sell raffle tickets in person?
In-person sales are still a staple for community raffles – at club events, school fetes, markets, and footy games. The challenge is handling cash and card payments quickly without a dedicated terminal.
The TryBooking Box Office app turns any compatible iOS or Android device into a payment terminal. Your volunteers can accept contactless card payments, mobile wallet taps (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and cash – all tracked against your TryBooking event. No separate EFTPOS terminal required, and all sales are automatically reconciled in your reports.
To set up in-person sales:
- Create your raffle event on TryBooking with ticket types for each price tier
- Download the Box Office app on the devices your volunteers will use
- Enable NFC on each device (required for tap-to-pay)
- Log in and select your raffle event at the start of each selling session
Payments are processed directly through your TryBooking account, and you’ll have a real-time view of total sales across both online and in-person channels.
How do I run the raffle draw?
The draw itself should be public, transparent, and random. If your permit specifies requirements for the draw (many do), follow those exactly.
Practical tips:
- Hold the draw at a public event where possible, or livestream it if your community is primarily online
- Use a random number generator or physical draw (barrel, bowl) – whatever your permit conditions require
- Announce results promptly and contact winners directly
- Publish winners on your website or social media within any timeframes your permit specifies
What do I need to do after the raffle?
Use TryBooking’s reports to review total ticket sales, revenue, and payment method breakdowns. This data is useful for planning your next raffle – you’ll know which ticket price points sold best, whether online or in-person sales dominated, and whether your sales target matched reality.
If your raffle required a permit, check your permit conditions for any post-draw reporting obligations before you close out.
Running a raffle is one of the most effective low-cost fundraisers available to community organisations. With the right preparation, clear prize incentives, and a simple way for supporters to buy tickets, it’s a format that consistently delivers.
