Lotteries Australia: Big Jackpots, Better Odds, Which Game Wins?

Introduction

Every Thursday night, Aussies gather around their TVs, clutch their tickets, and dream about waking up millionaires.

Whether it’s the jaw-dropping Powerball, the Tuesday thrill of Oz Lotto, or the classic Saturday Lotto draw, there’s just something about Aussie lotteries that keeps us crossing our fingers week after week.

But here’s the big question: Which lottery is actually worth your spare change?

Is Powerball really the jackpot king?

Does Oz Lotto secretly have better odds?

And what’s the deal with Set for Life — $20,000 every month for 20 years sounds pretty sweet, right?

In this guide, we’ll break down Lotteries Australia game by game — the giant jackpots, the odds you’re up against, and which one might just be your best bet for turning pocket change into a life-changing win.

Ready to pick your lucky game? Let’s dive in!

What Lotteries Are Available in Australia?

Australia isn’t shy when it comes to dreaming big — and our lotteries prove it!

Whether you’re after a record-smashing jackpot, a steady drip of cash for decades, or an instant win on a scratchie, there’s a game out there with your name on it.

So, what exactly can you play if you’re chasing your lucky break?

Here’s a quick look at the main types of lotteries you’ll find across Australia, whether you’re buying your ticket at the corner newsagent, through The Lott app, or on Lotterywest if you’re in WA:

Powerball

The big one.

Powerball is the household name when people think massive jackpot.

It’s responsible for some of Australia’s richest prize pools — think $100 million, $150 million — and the nation’s biggest ever single winner scored over $107 million in 2019!

If you love big thrills and don’t mind long odds, this is your game.

Oz Lotto

The Tuesday favourite.

Oz Lotto has been around since 1994 and was Australia’s first national lotto game.

It’s known for monster jackpots too — record wins have cleared $100 million.

If you want to kickstart your week with a chance to change your life, Oz Lotto is the draw to watch on Tuesday nights.

Saturday Lotto (TattsLotto / Gold Lotto / X Lotto)

A true Aussie classic.

Saturday night is Lotto night for millions of families.

This draw goes by different names depending on your state — TattsLotto in VIC & TAS, Gold Lotto in QLD, X Lotto in SA — but it’s the same beloved game.

The odds are better than Powerball or Oz Lotto, and while the jackpots are smaller, there are more frequent wins.

A good pick if you’re feeling lucky on the weekend.

Monday & Wednesday Lotto

Want better odds and a chilled vibe?

Monday & Wednesday Lotto is your go-to.

These mid-week draws have smaller jackpots — usually $1 million for up to 4 winners — but the odds of winning are much kinder than the mega-jackpots.

If you’d rather snag a smaller prize than dream about giant ones, these draws tick the box.

Set for Life

Not a fan of lump sums?

How about $20,000 every month for 20 years?

That’s what Set for Life offers — a unique twist on your usual lotto.

With daily draws and a guaranteed annuity-style payout, this one’s popular with people who love the idea of steady money instead of blowing it all at once.

Lucky Lotteries

Feeling like a raffle instead of a number draw?

Lucky Lotteries is different — each draw has a fixed number of tickets, and it keeps going until someone wins.

There’s the Super Jackpot and the Mega Jackpot, and you could even score instant smaller prizes.

It’s a fun alternative if you like the raffle vibe more than traditional lotto.

Instant Scratch-Its

No waiting around for draw nights — Instant Scratch-Its (scratch cards) let you know if you’ve won in seconds.

Prizes can range from a few bucks for your next coffee to millions if you’re ridiculously lucky.

Grab one at your local newsagent and scratch away. Just watch out — they’re easy to get hooked on if you love the rush!

The Bottom Line

From giant Powerball jackpots to the quiet charm of Monday Lotto, Australia’s lottery scene has something for everyone.

Each game has different odds, draw days, and vibes — so whether you’re chasing the biggest jackpot or prefer regular small wins, there’s a ticket with your name on it.

Next up? Let’s break down each big Aussie lottery one by one so you can decide which game really wins.

Powerball — The Giant Jackpot Chaser

When Aussies talk about life-changing lotteries, Powerball is usually the first game that comes to mind — and for good reason.

If you’re dreaming about joining the ranks of overnight millionaires (or even multi-millionaires), Powerball is the ticket that makes hearts race every Thursday night.

A Quick Backstory

Australia’s Powerball launched in 1996 and was inspired by the hugely popular U.S. version.

It’s run by The Lott (the official government-licensed lottery operator for most states and territories) and Lotterywest in Western Australia.

Powerball quickly earned its rep as the jackpot king — with prize pools that regularly climb into the tens of millions and sometimes smash records.

In fact, Australia’s biggest ever single lottery win happened in 2019, when a Sydney mum scooped a mind-blowing $107 million Powerball jackpot all by herself!

How Powerball Works

Powerball is simple, but the excitement is huge.

Here’s the breakdown:

• You pick 7 numbers from 1 to 35.
• Then, you pick an extra Powerball number from 1 to 20.
• If you match all 7 main numbers plus the Powerball, you hit the jackpot!

Each Thursday night, those numbers get drawn live — it’s one of Australia’s most-watched moments for hopeful punters.

The Jackpots

So, how big does Powerball get?

• Minimum Division 1 prize: $3 million (but it rarely stays that low).
• Jackpots roll over when no one wins — that’s how it can snowball into $50 million, $100 million, or even $150 million.
• There are 9 prize divisions — so you don’t have to hit all 7 + Powerball to win something. Matching fewer numbers still gets you a slice of the pie.

What Are the Odds?

Here’s the not-so-sweet part:

• The odds of winning Powerball’s Division 1 jackpot are about 1 in 134 million.
• That’s tougher than Oz Lotto or TattsLotto — but hey, someone has to win eventually!
• The odds for winning any prize (even the lowest division) are roughly 1 in 44, so you do have a shot at a smaller return.

When’s the Draw?

Powerball draws happen every Thursday night.

Tickets usually close around 7:30 PM AEST, so don’t leave it too late if you’re feeling lucky!

You can check results on The Lott’s app, website, or watch the draw live.

Why Play Powerball?

Pros:

• Biggest jackpots in Australia — dream big!
• Exciting rollover potential — the more it rolls over, the bigger the buzz.
• Fun to join workplace or family syndicates.

Cons:

• Tough odds for the top prize — it really is lightning in a bottle.
• Easy to get carried away — big prizes can tempt big spending, so budget wisely.

Pro Tip

Most big Powerball winners buy a QuickPick (where the computer picks random numbers for you).

So, don’t stress about your ‘lucky numbers’ too much — that winning combo could come from a random pick just as easily!

Next Up

Ready to compare Powerball’s heavyweight thrills to its Tuesday cousin?

Let’s see how Oz Lotto stacks up in the jackpot showdown.

Oz Lotto — The Tuesday Big One

If Powerball is the wild Thursday jackpot giant, Oz Lotto is its more laid-back but equally thrilling Tuesday rival.

Often nicknamed “Australia’s Original Big One,” Oz Lotto has been changing lives every Tuesday since it first kicked off back in 1994 — giving Aussies another chance to dream big at the start of the week.

Where Did Oz Lotto Come From?

Oz Lotto was Australia’s first fully national lottery game.

When it launched, it was designed to offer bigger jackpots than traditional state-based draws like Saturday Lotto.

It’s also run by The Lott for most of Australia, and Lotterywest for Western Australia.

Over the years, Oz Lotto has paid out some of the country’s biggest Division 1 wins — including a jaw-dropping $100 million jackpot that was split between two winners in 2012.

How Oz Lotto Works

Oz Lotto is similar to Powerball but with its own twist:

• You pick 7 numbers from 1 to 47.
• Each draw also pulls out 2 supplementary numbers — these boost your chances for the lower prize divisions.
• Match all 7 main numbers? You hit Division 1 and can walk away a multi-millionaire!

Jackpots & Divisions

• Oz Lotto’s Division 1 jackpot starts at $2 million — but just like Powerball, it can roll over if nobody wins.
• Jackpots of $20 million, $30 million, or more are pretty common during big rollovers.
• There are 7 prize divisions in total, so you don’t need all 7 numbers to win something.

What Are the Odds?

If you’re all about the numbers:

• Odds of scooping Division 1: about 1 in 62 million — still tough, but about twice as likely as Powerball.
• Odds of winning any prize: about 1 in 45, so you’ve got a reasonable shot at a minor prize.

When’s the Draw?

Oz Lotto draws happen every Tuesday night, usually around 8:30 PM AEST.

It’s a fun way to kick off the week — or to dream about calling in rich on Wednesday morning!

Why Play Oz Lotto?

Pros:

• Big national jackpots — second only to Powerball for size.
• Better odds for Division 1 than Powerball.
• Tuesday draw means you don’t have to wait until Thursday or Saturday.

Cons:

• Still pretty long odds for the top prize — but hey, you can’t win if you don’t play!
• Jackpots don’t roll over as high as often as Powerball’s record runs.

Fun Fact

When Oz Lotto first launched, you only needed to match 6 numbers to win the jackpot.

In 2005, they added the 7th number — creating bigger prizes but tougher odds.

It’s still a mid-week favourite for big-dreaming Aussies.

Next Up

Time to meet Australia’s classic weekend hero — Saturday Lotto, also known as TattsLotto, Gold Lotto, or X Lotto. Let’s see why it’s been a Saturday tradition for decades!

Saturday Lotto — Australia’s Classic

While Powerball and Oz Lotto chase headline-grabbing jackpots, Saturday Lotto is the warm, familiar favourite that’s been around for generations — a true Aussie tradition.

Whether you call it TattsLotto, Gold Lotto, or X Lotto, it’s the same beloved game millions play every weekend, hoping for a sweet Saturday surprise.

A Bit of Lotto History

Saturday Lotto kicked off way back in 1972, making it Australia’s longest-running national lottery draw.

Over the decades, it’s earned a reputation as the reliable weekend flutter — not just for huge multi-million dollar jackpots, but for its better odds and feel-good community vibe.

Depending on where you live, the same game goes by different names:

• TattsLotto: VIC & TAS
• Gold Lotto: QLD
• X Lotto: SA
• Just “Saturday Lotto” for the rest!

Why Does Saturday Lotto Have Different Names?

The reason Saturday Lotto goes by different names in different states is all about Australia’s unique lottery history and the local lottery operators that originally ran them.

Before there was one national lottery brand (The Lott), each state used to have its own lottery body with its own branding:

• TattsLotto started in Victoria and Tasmania under Tattersall’s, a historic lottery operator with roots going back to the 1800s.
• Gold Lotto is what Queenslanders have called their Saturday draw since the game launched there.
• X Lotto is South Australia’s version — run by the South Australian Lotteries Commission.

When the states eventually merged their draws into a single national game, the different names stuck around for branding, tradition, and that local feel.

So even today, you’ll hear the same Saturday draw called TattsLotto, Gold Lotto, X Lotto, or just plain Saturday Lotto — but the numbers and prizes are the same no matter where you live!

How Saturday Lotto Works

This is the classic 6-from-45 draw:

• Pick 6 numbers from 1 to 45.
• Each Saturday, 8 balls are drawn — the first 6 are the main numbers, and 2 more are supplementary numbers that help decide winners for lower divisions.
• Match all 6 main numbers? You’re the next Division 1 winner!

Jackpots & Divisions

• The typical Division 1 jackpot is around $5 million — but it can go much higher during Superdraws (which can hit $20 million or more) and Megadraws (sometimes over $30 million around New Year’s).
• There are 6 prize divisions, so smaller wins are more common than in the big jackpot games.

What Are the Odds?

This is where Saturday Lotto shines:

• Odds of winning Division 1: about 1 in 8 million — way better than Powerball’s 1 in 134 million.
• Odds of winning any prize: about 1 in 85.

It’s still chance, but if you’re hoping for a fair shot at something each week, this is one of the best!

When’s the Draw?

As the name says: Saturday night, usually around 8:30 PM AEST.

It’s part of countless Aussie households’ weekend routine — pizza, footy, a cold one, and waiting for those numbers to drop!

Why Play Saturday Lotto?

Pros:

• Better Division 1 odds than Powerball and Oz Lotto.
• Frequent Superdraws & Megadraws for bigger jackpot excitement.
• It’s a classic — playing feels nostalgic and fun.

Cons:

• Jackpots are smaller than the mega Powerball pools.
• Syndicates and casual players mean more winners to share with — but hey, better than nothing!

Fun Fact

Over 50% of all Aussie adults buy a Saturday Lotto ticket at least once a year — it’s that much of a weekend icon!

Next Up

Feeling lucky for a mid-week win too?

Let’s look at Monday & Wednesday Lotto — your chance to keep the good vibes rolling during the week.

Monday & Wednesday Lotto — Weekday Wins

When it comes to Lotteries Australia, not every game is about monster jackpots and massive odds.

Sometimes, players just want a simple, fair chance at a million-dollar payday — and that’s exactly where Monday & Wednesday Lotto shine.

These two draws are often called the everyday Aussies’ lottery — smaller prizes, better odds, and just enough thrill to brighten up a boring Monday or Wednesday night!

A Little History

Monday & Wednesday Lotto (sometimes just called Weekday Lotto) launched in the 1970s as an extension of the Saturday Lotto, giving players extra chances to win without waiting all week.

It’s run by The Lott in most states, and by Lotterywest in WA.

How Monday & Wednesday Lotto Work

Same format as Saturday Lotto — classic and easy:

• Pick 6 numbers from 1 to 45.
• 8 balls get drawn — 6 main numbers and 2 supplementary numbers.
• Match all 6 main numbers to take home Division 1!

The Jackpots

Monday & Wednesday Lotto don’t offer giant jackpots — instead, they keep it simple with a guaranteed $1 million Division 1 prize for up to 4 winners every draw.

So, if you’re the sole Division 1 winner, you get the whole million.

If two people win, you split it. If more than 4 people win, $4 million gets split evenly.

The good news? You’re more likely to win here than with the bigger headline lottos!

What Are the Odds?

The odds are the same as Saturday Lotto:

• Division 1: about 1 in 8 million.
• Any prize: about 1 in 85.

Compared to Powerball’s odds, that’s a major boost — and the fixed million-dollar prize makes it very appealing for players who prefer more realistic odds over sky-high dreams.

When’s the Draw?

As the name says — draws happen every Monday and Wednesday night around 8:30 PM AEST.

It’s a fun way to break up the work week and daydream about dropping that resignation letter on Tuesday morning!

Why Play Monday & Wednesday Lotto?

Pros:

• Better odds than the big jackpot games.
• Fixed million-dollar prize — not small change!
• Easy, affordable, and lots of syndicate groups love these weekday draws.

Cons:

• No massive jackpots — if you want a $100 million dream, stick to Powerball or Oz Lotto.
• If more than 4 people win Division 1, the million-dollar prize gets split.

Fun Fact

Monday & Wednesday Lotto often fly under the radar, but these draws regularly create multiple new millionaires every single week — quietly making dreams come true while the big headlines focus on Powerball’s rollovers!

Next Up

What if you could skip the lump sum altogether and get paid every single month — for 20 years?

Let’s check out Australia’s unique Set for Life and see why so many players love the steady-payday twist.

Set for Life — Get Paid Monthly

Imagine this: instead of a massive lump sum jackpot that tempts you to blow it all at once, you get a steady, juicy payday every month — for 20 years.

That’s exactly what Set for Life promises, and it’s become one of Australia’s most unique and popular lottery options for players who like the idea of income security, not just instant riches.

How Set for Life Came About

Launched in 2015, Set for Life was created as a fresh twist on the traditional jackpot lottery.

Aussies loved the idea of getting a guaranteed chunk of cash every single month — like a second salary, but way bigger.

It’s run by The Lott (except in WA, where Lotterywest runs its own version).

Since its launch, Set for Life has turned dozens of ordinary people into “professional dreamers” who wake up knowing that $20,000 is landing in their bank account every single month.

How Set for Life Works

The format is a bit different from the classic lottos:

• You pick 8 numbers from 1 to 44.
• Each night, 8 winning numbers plus 2 supplementary numbers are drawn.
• To win Division 1, you need to match all 8 main numbers.
• Instead of a single payout, you win $20,000 every month for 20 years — a total of $4.8 million paid out over time.

The Prizes

While the Division 1 prize is the headline grabber, there are 8 prize divisions in total.

Lower divisions reward players who match fewer numbers plus supplementaries — so there’s still a chance to snag smaller cash prizes even if you don’t nail the full 8.

Unlike the big lottos, the jackpot doesn’t roll over — the top prize stays fixed at $20,000 a month per winner.

Multiple winners? Everyone gets the full payout — no splitting your lifetime income!

What Are the Odds?

The odds of winning Set for Life’s Division 1 prize are about 1 in 38 million — better than Powerball, tougher than Saturday Lotto, but reasonable for a prize spread out over 20 years.

The odds of winning any prize are about 1 in 59, so there’s a decent shot at getting something back.

When’s the Draw?

This is where Set for Life is different:

• Draws happen every single night — yep, 7 nights a week!
• Entries close around 9:00 PM AEST, so you can literally dream Set for Life, every day of the week.

Why Play Set for Life?

Pros:

• Guaranteed $20,000 every month — perfect for financial security.
• Paid for 20 years — instead of a risky lump sum you might burn through.
• Multiple Division 1 winners get the full prize — no sharing.
• Daily draw — more chances to win.

Cons:

• No massive “blow-it-all” jackpot for people who love huge lumps.
• Odds are still long for Division 1.
• Some people prefer one giant payout over monthly instalments.

Fun Fact

Many winners say the biggest perk of Set for Life is peace of mind — imagine never worrying about rent, bills, or a surprise expense ever again.

Some winners have used it to quit stressful jobs, travel the world slowly, or help family without burning through a big pile of cash too quickly.

Next Up

What if you’re not keen on waiting for a draw at all? Let’s talk about Lucky Lotteries — the Aussie raffle-style game where the jackpot must be won!

Lucky Lotteries — The Raffle Style

If you love the thrill of a draw but hate the idea that no one might win the jackpot, Lucky Lotteries could be your new favourite game.

Unlike Powerball or Oz Lotto — where jackpots roll over if there’s no winner — Lucky Lotteries is designed more like a raffle: the prize must go off every time the jackpot hits!

This makes it a fun twist in Australia’s lottery scene — with two versions, a unique way to play, and a vibe that feels a bit more “old-school raffle” than classic pick-your-numbers draws.

How Lucky Lotteries Works

There are two Lucky Lotteries games:

1. Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot
2. Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot

Here’s how they both work:

• Instead of picking numbers, you buy a unique ticket number from a limited pool.
• Every ticket number is unique — so there’s no splitting prizes.
• Once all tickets are sold, the draw happens.
• A winning ticket number is drawn for the 1st prize — plus multiple smaller prizes and instant wins.

What’s exciting is that if the Jackpot Prize isn’t won during the main draw, it rolls over to the next draw — but only until someone hits it. Sooner or later, the jackpot must be won!

Prizes & Jackpots

• Super Jackpot: starts at around $500,000 and can grow much larger with rollovers.
• Mega Jackpot: starts higher, around $1 million, and can climb into multi-millions with enough rollovers.
• Both games also have loads of smaller prizes — cash amounts and “free tickets” for the next draw.

The draw continues until all the prizes for that game are awarded.

What Are the Odds?

The odds for Lucky Lotteries are different because they depend on how many tickets are available:

• Super Jackpot usually has 270,000 tickets max.
• Mega Jackpot usually has 200,000 tickets max.

So the odds are easy to work out: 1 in total number of tickets for the 1st prize.

Unlike regular lottos, you know exactly what your odds are because they don’t change.

When’s the Draw?

Lucky Lotteries draws don’t have a fixed weekly schedule like Powerball or Oz Lotto — they happen as soon as all tickets in that round are sold.

That means sometimes you get multiple draws a week — or longer gaps during slower sales periods.

Why Play Lucky Lotteries?

Pros:

Jackpot must go off — no indefinite rollovers.
Fixed pool of tickets means fair odds.
Multiple prize tiers, so lots of chances to win something.
You don’t have to pick numbers — super simple.

Cons:

Tickets can sell out quickly for popular draws.
Not as huge jackpots as Powerball or Oz Lotto.
No “number picking” thrill for those who love their lucky digits.

Fun Fact

Lucky Lotteries is super popular with office syndicates and family groups — many people love the raffle style because they know they’re buying a unique ticket, so there’s zero chance of splitting a prize with someone else holding the same numbers!

Next Up

Want the thrill right now with zero waiting?

It’s time to talk about Instant Scratch-Its — Australia’s favourite quick-win game that turns spare change into instant surprises.

Instant Scratch-Its — Instant Thrills

Can’t wait for a weekly draw?

Want that adrenaline rush right now?

Then you’re not alone — millions of Aussies love Instant Scratch-Its, the simple, pocket-sized game that lets you find out in seconds if you’re a winner.

While they’re technically not a draw-based lottery like Powerball or Oz Lotto, Instant Scratch-Its are still one of the biggest parts of the Lotteries Australia scene — easy to play, easy to gift, and dangerously easy to get hooked on if you love a quick thrill!

How Scratchies Work

Scratch cards are exactly what they sound like:

• You buy a small cardboard ticket from your local newsagent, supermarket, or petrol station.
• Scratch off the silver panels to reveal symbols, numbers, or words.
• If your scratchy matches the winning pattern or combination shown, you win the prize on the spot!

No waiting for draw nights, no comparing long lists of numbers — just instant win or bust.

How Much Can You Win?

Scratchies come in a huge range of prices, from budget-friendly $1 tickets to premium $20 cards with bigger jackpots and more prize tiers.

Prizes can be small — a couple of bucks, a free ticket — or huge: the biggest Instant Scratch-Its can pay out up to $1 million instantly if you get the right combination.

What Are the Odds?

Scratchies don’t have one fixed odds number — it depends on the ticket you buy. Generally:

• Cheaper scratchies ($1–$2) have lower top prizes and lower odds of winning big.
• Higher-priced scratchies ($10–$20) usually have better odds of bigger wins — but naturally, you’re spending more up front.
• Overall odds of winning something are often around 1 in 4 or 1 in 5 — but remember, that includes small prizes too.

Where Do You Buy Scratchies?

Anywhere you’d buy a regular lottery ticket:

• Local newsagents
• Supermarkets
• Convenience stores
• Petrol stations
• Some states even let you order selected scratchies online — check The Lott’s website for what’s allowed in your area.

Why Play Instant Scratch-Its?

Pros:

• Instant result — no waiting!
• Cheap, quick fun — starting at just $1.
• Great for gifts, party games, or stocking stuffers.
• Easy to play — no picking numbers or checking draw results.

Cons:

• Small wins are more common than big ones.
• Super tempting to keep buying more — easy to overspend if you’re not careful.
• Unlike draw lotteries, you can’t play scratchies in a syndicate.

Fun Fact

Many Aussies buy scratchies as good-luck gifts — it’s tradition to slip a few $1 or $2 scratch cards into birthday cards, wedding wishing wells, or Christmas stockings.

Who doesn’t love the chance to turn a $2 present into $10,000 with one satisfying scratch?

Next Up

So now you’ve met all the big names — Powerball, Oz Lotto, TattsLotto, weekday draws, the steady drip of Set for Life, raffle-style Lucky Lotteries, and the instant buzz of scratchies.

But which one really deserves your money?

Up next, let’s compare them all side by side so you can see which Aussie lottery actually wins!

Comparison Table — Which Aussie Lottery Wins?

So you’ve met all the big players — from Powerball’s mega jackpots to the weekday Lottos, Oz Lotto’s Tuesday thrill, Set for Life’s steady drip, Lucky Lotteries’ raffle twist, and the instant buzz of scratchies. But which one’s right for you?

Here’s a simple side-by-side look at how Australia’s main lotteries stack up:

Australian Lotteries at a Glance