How to Play Powerball Australia
Australia's biggest jackpot lottery
About Powerball Australia
Powerball is Australia's premier jackpotting lottery game and the home of the nation's largest ever lottery prizes. Drawing every Thursday night at 8:30 PM AEST, Powerball uses a unique dual-barrel format where players select 7 numbers from 1 to 35, plus 1 Powerball number from a separate barrel of 1 to 20. This format creates massive odds for the top prize, which means jackpots frequently grow to enormous amounts. The record Australian Powerball jackpot reached an astonishing $200 million in September 2019, and jackpots regularly exceed $100 million, making it the most exciting lottery game in the country.
How to Play
Playing Powerball Australia is straightforward. Choose 7 numbers from 1 to 35 for the main barrel, plus 1 Powerball number from 1 to 20 from the separate Powerball barrel. Each game costs $1.25. You can select your own numbers or use QuickPick for a random selection. During the draw, 7 winning numbers are drawn from Barrel 1 (containing balls numbered 1-35) and 1 Powerball is drawn from Barrel 2 (containing balls numbered 1-20). To win Division 1, you must match all 7 main numbers AND the Powerball. Tickets are available at all authorised lottery outlets and online via The Lott.
Number Selection
- Select 7 main numbers from 1 to 35
- Select 1 Powerball from 1 to 20
Odds and Prize Divisions
Powerball features 9 prize divisions, offering multiple ways to win. The Division 1 odds (7 numbers + Powerball) are 1 in 134,490,400 — the longest odds of any Australian lottery game, which explains why jackpots grow so large. Division 2 (7 numbers, no Powerball) offers odds of 1 in 7,078,443. The easiest prize to win is Division 9 (2 main numbers + Powerball) at odds of 1 in 66. The overall odds of winning any Powerball prize are approximately 1 in 44. Jackpots start at $3 million and increase each week until won, with no cap on how high they can climb.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Division 1 Odds | 1 in 134,490,400 |
| Prize Divisions | 9 |
| Starting Jackpot | $3 Million |
Tips for Playing Powerball Australia
Powerball is a game of pure chance, but there are sensible approaches to playing. The Powerball number (1-20) is drawn from a separate barrel, so it is independent of the main 7 numbers — consider this when choosing your Powerball number. Syndicates are extremely popular for Powerball because they allow you to share the cost of multiple entries. Many of Australia's largest Powerball prizes have been won by syndicate groups. Use our Number Generator to create random Powerball combinations, or check our Predictions page for statistically-informed number sets. Always set a budget and gamble responsibly.
Where to Buy Powerball Australia Tickets
Powerball Australia tickets are available at authorised lottery outlets across Australia, including newsagents and selected retail stores. You can also purchase tickets online through The Lott official website (thelott.com) or via The Lott mobile app. Ticket sales typically close at approximately 7:25 PM AEST on draw nights. For online purchases, you will need to create a free account and be a resident of Australia.
Claiming Powerball Australia Prizes
Prize claiming procedures vary by state and prize amount. Prizes up to $1,500 can be claimed at any lottery outlet. Larger prizes may need to be claimed at a lottery office or through a bank transfer. If you purchased your ticket online through The Lott, prizes up to $1,500 are automatically deposited into your account. Larger prizes will require identity verification. You typically have up to 6 years from the draw date to claim your prize, depending on the state.