The basics
Oz Lotto is Australia's original national lottery, having launched on 26 February 1994 as the country's first lottery game run at a national rather than state level. It is operated by The Lott across all Australian states and territories except Western Australia, where it is administered by Lotterywest. Draws take place every Tuesday at 7:30 PM AEST. Tickets cost AU$1.50 per standard game.
The game has evolved significantly since its launch. It originally followed the same format as Saturday Lotto with six numbers from a pool of 45. In 2005 a seventh number was added. In May 2022 the pool was expanded from 45 to 47 numbers and a third supplementary number was introduced. Most recently, in February 2026, the minimum starting jackpot was increased from $3 million to $4 million.
How to play
Choose 7 numbers from 1 to 47. During the draw, 10 balls are drawn in total from the pool of 47 — the first 7 are the winning numbers, and the remaining 3 are supplementary numbers. To win Division 1, you need all 7 of your numbers to match the 7 winning numbers. Supplementary numbers create additional winning opportunities in lower prize divisions.
You can choose your numbers manually on a game panel or use a Quick Pick for a randomly generated selection. System entries are also available, allowing you to pick more than 7 numbers and have them automatically entered in every possible combination — at a higher cost, but with improved coverage.
Understanding supplementary numbers
The supplementary numbers are one of the features that make Oz Lotto distinctive among major lotteries. Three supplementary numbers are drawn from the remaining pool after the 7 main numbers are selected. They do not affect your chances of winning Division 1 — that requires matching all 7 main numbers only. But they do determine winners in Divisions 2, 4, and 7, effectively creating additional prize pathways for players who come close to matching the main draw.
Supplementary numbers are drawn from the same pool as the main numbers. They are simply the next balls drawn after the first seven. A number cannot appear in both the main draw and the supplementary numbers in the same game.
The 7 prize divisions
Oz Lotto uses a percentage-based prize pool system rather than fixed prize amounts. At least 55% of ticket sales go into the prize fund each draw, which is then divided among the divisions according to set percentages. This means prize amounts vary draw to draw depending on ticket sales and the number of winners in each division.
| Division | Match Required | Odds (per game) |
|---|---|---|
| Division 1 | 7 winning numbers | 1 in 62,891,499 |
| Division 2 | 6 winning + 1 supplementary | 1 in 2,994,834 |
| Division 3 | 6 winning numbers | 1 in 242,825 |
| Division 4 | 5 winning + 1 supplementary | 1 in 26,271 |
| Division 5 | 5 winning numbers | 1 in 4,497 |
| Division 6 | 4 winning numbers | 1 in 182 |
| Division 7 | 3 winning + 1 supplementary | 1 in 71 |
The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 51. That is a reasonably competitive figure among major lotteries, and reflects the benefit of the supplementary number system creating multiple additional entry points into the prize structure.
The jackpot structure
The Division 1 jackpot starts at a guaranteed minimum of AU$4 million and rolls over each week until it is won. There is no hard jackpot cap — Oz Lotto jackpots can grow very large through extended rollover sequences. The record Division 1 prize was AU$111,972,151, shared by four winners on 6 November 2012.
Unlike EuroMillions or Lotto Max, which have defined caps that trigger special events, Oz Lotto simply keeps rolling. The jackpot can roll for a maximum of 25 consecutive draws before the prize cascades down to be shared among Division 2 winners — ensuring the prize eventually pays out.
From time to time Oz Lotto also holds Prize Boost events, where prize amounts across Divisions 2 to 7 are increased beyond their standard allocation. These are announced in advance and provide additional value for players in lower prize tiers.
Tax treatment
Oz Lotto winnings are completely tax-free in Australia. The Australian Taxation Office does not treat lottery prizes as assessable income, meaning winners keep 100% of their prize regardless of the amount. This applies to all divisions and all prize amounts. Investment returns earned on your winnings afterward are subject to normal Australian income tax rules, but the prize itself is yours in full.
This is a significant advantage compared to US lotteries, where federal and state taxes can reduce a large jackpot by more than half.
How Oz Lotto compares to other major lotteries
| Lottery | Format | Jackpot Odds | Starting Jackpot | Tax-Free? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oz Lotto | 7/47 + 3 supp | 1 in 62,891,499 | AU$4 million | Yes |
| Powerball (AU) | 7/35 + 1/20 | 1 in 134,490,400 | AU$3 million | Yes |
| Lotto Max (CA) | 7/52 | 1 in 33,294,800 | CA$10 million | Yes |
| UK Lotto | 6/59 | 1 in 45,057,474 | £2 million | Yes |
| Powerball (US) | 5/69 + 1/26 | 1 in 292,201,338 | US$20 million | No |
Oz Lotto sits in the middle of the pack for jackpot odds among major lotteries. Its Division 1 odds of 1 in 62.9 million are significantly worse than Lotto Max but considerably better than US Powerball. The no-cap structure means jackpots can grow very large over time, and the tax-free status means every dollar of the prize is yours to keep.
Can you play Oz Lotto from outside Australia?
You must be physically present in Australia to purchase an official ticket from an authorised retailer or through The Lott's official app and website. International players can use licensed lottery concierge services that purchase tickets on your behalf for a service fee. If you use this route, research the operator carefully and understand how large prize claims are handled before committing.
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