50/50 Raffles: The Complete Australian Guide
Looking for a simple yet effective fundraising solution? A 50/50 raffle offers the perfect blend of simplicity and profit potential. This guide covers everything you need to know about running a successful 50/50 raffle.
What is a 50/50 raffle?
A 50/50 raffle follows a straightforward format: the winner receives 50% of total ticket sales (up to a predetermined maximum), while your organisation keeps the other 50%. This simple structure makes it an attractive option for both organisers and participants.
Important note: cash is not a legal raffle prize in Victoria, which rules out the 50/50 format there. Our Victorian raffle rules guide covers what Victorian organisations can run instead — store-specific gift cards and gold bullion are the usual substitutes.
Where the permit threshold bites
A 50/50 raffle has one quirk that ordinary raffles don’t: the prize isn’t a number you choose, it’s half of whatever you sell. So the threshold that decides whether you need a permit moves as your campaign succeeds. Set your maximum prize with that in mind from day one.
States measure the threshold two different ways, which changes the arithmetic:
| State | Permit needed once… | Your 50/50 ceiling before a permit |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | the prize pool tops $30,000 | $30,000 prize (≈$60,000 in sales) |
| QLD | gross ticket sales top $50,000 | $25,000 prize (the sales cap does the work) |
| SA | the prize pool tops $5,000 | $5,000 prize (≈$10,000 in sales) |
| ACT | the prize pool tops $2,500 | $2,500 prize (≈$5,000 in sales) |
| WA | the prize pool tops $200 | $200 prize — a permit is the realistic path |
| TAS | — | Online raffles are exempt from permits |
| NT | — | Online raffles are exempt from permits |
| VIC | — | Cash prizes aren’t permitted at all |
Queensland is the one that catches people out: because the threshold is measured on ticket sales rather than prize value, it’s the size of your ticket run that keeps you under it. Cap your tickets so the maximum possible gross stays under $50,000 and no permit is needed.
Thresholds move, so confirm yours against the permit checker before you publish — it reads the current figures straight from the platform, and RaffleLink flags a raffle that crosses the line before you launch. Each state also has a full guide (NSW, QLD, SA, WA, ACT, TAS, NT). If you do need a permit, we can lodge the application on your organisation’s behalf — see the compliance overview.
Why choose a 50/50 raffle?
Quick launch
- No physical prizes to source
- Simple setup process
- Can start within hours
Minimal risk
- No upfront prize costs
- Prize scales with sales
- No logistics headaches
Universal appeal
- Cash prizes attract broad interest
- Easy-to-understand format
- Flexible ticket pricing options
Cash is only one of the categories that performs — our guide to the raffle prizes that actually work compares it against vehicles, tech and donated no-cost prizes.
Setting it up
Prize structure
- Determine your maximum prize value based on state regulations
- Consider setting a minimum guaranteed prize (optional)
- Clearly state in your prize description:
- “Winner receives 50% of total ticket sales up to [maximum value]”
- The minimum guaranteed prize amount (if applicable)
Ticket pricing strategy
Calculate your structure using this formula:
- Maximum prize × 2 = total potential proceeds
- Number of tickets = total potential proceeds ÷ ticket price
Common price points:
- Broad appeal: $2, $5, $10
- Exclusive raffles: $50, $100
Choosing between those two ends of the range is the single biggest decision you’ll make — our raffle ticket pricing guide covers how to read your own community before you commit.
Success stories
Youth Off The Streets
- Initial raffle: $9,020 raised in one month
- Ticket price: $10
- Strategy: weekly updates on the prize pool
- Growth: later raffles exceeded $30,000
Ricky Richards (Melanoma Institute)
- Structure: 200 tickets at $100
- Guaranteed prize: $10,000
- Duration: 10 weeks
- Total raised: $20,000
Marketing tips
Emphasise the growing prize
- Provide regular updates on the current prize value
- Create excitement as the pool grows
- Use urgency in your messaging
Leverage your network
- Email database
- Social media following
- Community connections
- Event attendance
Need guidance on setup or compliance? Start with our raffle compliance overview, or contact our support team for assistance.
